What Is an Intended Parent?

The term intended parent refers to the individual or couple who will become the legal parent(s) of the child born through a surrogate. Intended parents may pursue surrogacy for a variety of reasons, including medical conditions that prevent carrying a pregnancy, infertility challenges, or because they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or are single fathers wishing to grow their families.

Unlike the surrogate, who carries the pregnancy, intended parents are the ones who will raise and care for the child after birth. With the help of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intended parents can have a biological connection to their child, or they may use donor eggs, donor sperm, or embryos depending on their unique situation.

Intended Parents’ Surrogacy Requirements

Just as surrogates undergo a thorough surrogacy screening process, intended parents also have certain requirements they must meet before beginning their journey. These requirements are designed to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all parties involved – the surrogate, the intended parents, and the baby.

Common Requirements for Intended Parents

• Medical and Fertility Evaluations: Intended parents may need to undergo fertility testing to determine the best approach for IVF and embryo transfer.

• Legal Agreements: Intended parents must enter into legally binding contracts with the surrogate, ensuring that everyone’s rights, roles, and responsibilities are clearly defined.

• Financial Preparedness: Surrogacy involves medical expenses, surrogate compensation, legal fees, and agency costs. Intended parents should be financially stable to support these commitments.

• Background Checks: Agencies and clinics often require background checks to ensure a safe and responsible environment for the child.

• Psychological Evaluation: In some cases, intended parents participate in counseling to ensure they are emotionally ready for the surrogacy journey.

Why Requirements Matter

The requirements for intended parents are not meant to create obstacles – they exist to ensure that the surrogacy journey is safe, transparent, and ethical. By meeting these requirements, intended parents demonstrate their readiness to take on the joys and responsibilities of raising a child.

The Surrogacy Process for Intended Parents

At Acorn Surrogacy Center, we guide intended parents through each stage of the surrogacy journey with compassion, expertise, and transparency. While the experience is deeply personal, most journeys follow five key phases: Application, Matching, Screening, Contracts, and IVF Cycle.

1. Application

The process begins with an application, where intended parents share information about their background, family goals, and preferences for their surrogacy journey. This first step helps the team understand your needs and ensures you’re fully informed before moving forward.

2. Matching

Once the application is complete, our team works to match intended parents with a surrogate whose values, expectations, and lifestyle align with theirs. This phase is one of the most exciting—many intended parents and surrogates go on to build lasting friendships beyond the journey.

3. Screening

Both surrogates and intended parents undergo thorough medical, psychological, and legal screenings to ensure safety and preparedness. This step confirms that everyone is physically, emotionally, and legally ready to proceed. Screening helps create a foundation of trust and security for all parties involved.

4. Contracts

After successful screening, legal contracts are drafted and reviewed. These agreements outline the rights, responsibilities, and expectations of both the surrogate and the intended parents. Our staff will connect you with experienced legal professionals who specialize in reproductive law, ensuring that your agreements meet all requirements and protect everyone involved.

5. IVF Cycle

The final stage begins with the IVF process. Eggs are retrieved from the intended mother or an egg donor, fertilized with sperm from the intended father or a donor, and then the resulting embryos are transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. This phase marks the transition into pregnancy and the exciting steps toward parenthood.

Begin Your Journey as an Intended Parent

At Acorn Surrogacy Center, we are here to guide intended parents through every step of the process, from initial eligibility and matching with a surrogate to embryo transfer, pregnancy, and beyond. If you’re ready to begin your family-building journey, our team is here to provide the medical, legal, and emotional support you need.