What Are the Qualifications to Be a Surrogate in 2025?

In 2025, the path to become a surrogate continues to be one of the most generous and life-affirming decisions a woman can make. Whether you’re inspired to help others build a family or have had a smooth pregnancy and want to make a difference, surrogacy is a deeply rewarding experience. But before you can move forward, you need to understand one critical thing: the qualifications to be a surrogate.

Surrogacy isn’t open to everyone—and that’s intentional. The requirements are designed to protect not just the intended parents, but also the surrogate herself and the baby she’ll carry. Whether you’re working with a surrogacy agency or pursuing an independent journey, the expectations in 2025 have become more clearly defined and, in some areas, more rigorous.

This article breaks down everything you need to know about the qualifications to be a surrogate, including medical, psychological, legal, and lifestyle criteria.

1. Why Do Surrogates Need to Qualify?

Let’s be honest—pregnancy is no small thing. Add in the emotional dynamics of carrying a baby for someone else, and it becomes even more important to screen carefully.

Surrogacy professionals (agencies, fertility clinics, attorneys) screen candidates to:

• Ensure medical safety for the surrogate and baby

• Reduce legal and emotional complications

• Provide intended parents peace of mind

• Build stable, trusting relationships among all parties

Ultimately, these qualifications aren’t about excluding people—they’re about creating the safest, most successful outcome possible.

1.1 Age Requirements

Most surrogacy programs in 2025 require that surrogates be between 21 and 40 years old. Some agencies may extend this to 42 or 43 for experienced surrogates who’ve had multiple healthy pregnancies.

Why these limits?

• Younger than 21: Emotional maturity is still developing, and many clinics won’t take legal or medical risks with very young carriers.

• Older than 40: Pregnancy risks increase for both surrogate and baby, and success rates with embryo transfer drop.

Age isn’t the only number that matters—but it’s one of the first filters in the qualification process.

1.2 Pregnancy History

To be a surrogate, you must have had at least one successful full-term pregnancy and delivery. Many surrogacy agencies prefer candidates who’ve had two or more uncomplicated pregnancies.

Your pregnancy history should show:

• No major complications (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature labor)

• Healthy birth weights

• Smooth postpartum recoveries

• No uterine abnormalities (like fibroids or scarring)

If you’ve had a C-section, that doesn’t disqualify you—but the clinic will want to review surgical records to make sure there’s no lasting risk.

1.3 Health and BMI Requirements

To apply to become a surrogate, you need to be in good physical health. This means:

• No chronic conditions (like uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, etc.)

• No history of sexually transmitted infections that could affect pregnancy

• Not currently on medications that would interfere with a healthy gestation

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) also matters. Most clinics require a BMI between 19 and 32, though some programs allow up to 33.

Why BMI?

• High BMI increases risk of pregnancy complications like hypertension and gestational diabetes.

• IVF success rates drop with higher BMI.

• Lower extremes (underweight) can also increase miscarriage risk.

In 2025, there’s growing flexibility: some clinics use body composition scans instead of BMI alone to assess eligibility more fairly.

1.4 Mental and Emotional Readiness

Pregnancy is as emotional as it is physical—especially when you’re carrying a child who won’t be yours. That’s why all surrogates must undergo a psychological evaluation.

This is handled by a licensed mental health professional and includes:

• A clinical interview

• A psychological profile (sometimes using standardized tools like the MMPI)

• Review of your support system, mental health history, and emotional preparedness

• Your ability to separate from the baby after birth

Surrogates must be stable, self-aware, and ready to face a journey that’s both beautiful and demanding.

1.5 Lifestyle Expectations

To be a surrogate, you must demonstrate a healthy lifestyle. Most surrogacy agencies will disqualify candidates who:

• Smoke or use nicotine (including vaping)

• Use recreational drugs (even legal marijuana)

• Drink alcohol excessively

• Have untreated mental health conditions

• Lack stable housing or employment

Agencies may also ask about your sleep habits, nutrition, and work schedule to make sure you’ll be able to attend medical appointments and recover as needed.

It’s not about judging your lifestyle—it’s about ensuring that your body is the right environment for a growing baby.

1.6 Financial and Legal Stability

This may surprise some people, but most agencies require that surrogates be financially stable. That doesn’t mean you have to be wealthy—it just means you’re not relying on surrogacy as a last-resort income source.

Specifically:

• You should not be on significant government aid programs (e.g., welfare, Section 8 housing)

• You should have a consistent source of income or support

• Your living situation should be safe and consistent

Additionally, you and your partner (if applicable) must pass a criminal background check. Agencies need to ensure that you’re living in a safe environment without legal red flags.

1.7 Health Insurance (Optional, But Important)

While not always a firm requirement, some agencies ask if you have existing health insurance that will cover a surrogate pregnancy.

In 2025, many agencies will purchase a surrogacy-friendly insurance plan for you, but they’ll first evaluate your current policy. If it excludes surrogacy (as many do), supplemental coverage may be added.

You may also be provided with life insurance and complication insurance as part of your surrogate benefits package.

1.8 Partner and Family Support

Agencies want to know that your partner or household supports your decision. In some cases, your partner may need to:

• Attend medical or psychological screenings with you

• Consent to embryo transfers

• Undergo infectious disease testing

Even if you’re single, you’ll need to show that you have people in your life—friends, family, or community—who can support you emotionally and physically during the process.

Support isn’t optional—it’s a critical part of surrogate success.

1.9 Willingness to Commit to the Full Process

Surrogacy is not a quick gig—it’s a 12–18 month commitment from screening to delivery. You need to be willing to:

• Attend all medical appointments

• Take hormone injections (for embryo prep)

• Abide by clinic-recommended rest periods

• Follow intended parents’ wishes for birth plans, diet restrictions, etc.

This level of commitment is part of what makes surrogates so special—it’s a partnership, not just a pregnancy.

2. Qualifications to Be a Surrogate in 2025

Here’s a quick checklist of what most surrogacy agencies will expect before they approve your application:

3. You Need To Know The Qualifications To Be A Surrogate

If you’re considering whether you meet the qualifications to be a surrogate, this guide gives you a solid place to start. Many women are surprised to find that they do qualify—and even more are amazed at how life-changing the experience can be. If you’re ready to apply to become a surrogate, your first step should be connecting with a surrogacy agency. They’ll guide you through every stage: from screening to matching, embryo transfer, pregnancy, and birth. They’ll also make sure you feel respected, protected, and supported at every turn. The journey is long—but incredibly rewarding. And if you meet the qualifications, you might just be the person a hopeful family has been waiting for.