To qualify as a surrogate, you generally need to be 21 to 43 years old, have had at least one healthy full-term pregnancy, be currently raising a child of your own, have a BMI in the healthy range (typically 18 to 33), be a non-smoker and drug-free, and be financially stable. Most programs also require you to be a citizen or legal resident and to pass medical and psychological screening.
These criteria are not arbitrary. As a reproductive medicine specialist, I see them as a single question in different forms: can this pregnancy be carried safely, for the surrogate and the baby? Each requirement below traces back to that.
Age: 21 to 43
The standard age window is 21 to 43, and both ends exist for medical reasons. Below 21, the concern is less physical than practical, carrying for someone else asks for a level of experience and settled life that most people do not yet have at 20. Above 43, pregnancy risks such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and chromosomal complications rise measurably. Some programs follow the wider ASRM guideline of 21 to 45 and make case-by-case exceptions for a healthy candidate with a strong pregnancy history, but 43 is the common ceiling.
A prior healthy pregnancy
Every serious program requires at least one previous full-term pregnancy delivered without major complications, and that you are currently raising a child of your own. This is the single most predictive requirement we have. A completed, uncomplicated pregnancy tells us your body has carried to term safely, and raising a child means you understand, in a way no briefing can convey, what you are agreeing to physically and emotionally.
Health and BMI
Good general health is required, and BMI is part of it, usually in the range of 18 to 33. This is not about appearance. A higher BMI raises the risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and delivery complications; a very low BMI can make it harder to gain adequate weight during pregnancy. Chronic conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes or hypertension, and certain reproductive conditions, are assessed individually because of how they affect a pregnancy. If your BMI is just outside the range, it is often something you can address before applying.
Lifestyle and support
A stable, smoke-free, drug-free lifestyle is required, and a real support system is close behind it. Clinics test for nicotine and drugs during screening, so this is verified, not assumed. Beyond that, you need people around you, a partner, family, or close friends, because a surrogate pregnancy asks more of your support network than an ordinary one. Financial stability matters too: programs want you choosing this freely, not to cover rent or groceries, which protects everyone involved.
The screening process
If you meet the basic criteria, screening is the next stage, and it is thorough by design. It usually takes two to four months and has four parts.
- Medical screening at a fertility clinic: bloodwork, infectious-disease testing, a review of your pregnancy history, and an ultrasound to confirm your uterus is ready. Genetic screening is increasingly common.
- Psychological evaluation by a mental-health professional who works in fertility, covering your motivations, expectations, and support.
- Background checks, which are standard and look for stability and safety rather than perfection.
- Legal review, where you retain your own attorney, separate from the intended parents', before signing anything.
From the surrogate side: the medical screening is more detailed than a normal checkup, and the psychological evaluation is not a test you can fail, it exists to make sure you have thought this through, not to catch you out. Keeping your pregnancy records organized ahead of time makes the whole stage faster.
What if you don't qualify?
Not meeting the criteria today does not always mean never. Some requirements are changeable, quitting smoking, reaching a healthy BMI, or waiting until your youngest child is a little older. Others, such as certain medical or reproductive histories, are fixed. Our guide to disqualifications for surrogacy covers which conditions tend to rule someone out and why, so you know where you stand.
What to do next
If you meet these requirements, the next step is understanding the full path from here to birth, our guide to how to become a surrogate walks through it. Gathering your pregnancy medical records now will speed up screening once you apply.
Choose a surrogacy attorney who does this all the time, not your cousin who handled your house closing. This is specialized stuff that requires specialized knowledge, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Frequently asked questions
What are the age requirements to be a surrogate?
Generally 21 to 43. Some programs follow ASRM's wider 21-to-45 guideline and consider exceptions case by case for a healthy candidate with a strong pregnancy history.
What BMI do you need to be a surrogate?
Usually 18 to 33. The range is about reducing pregnancy risks such as gestational diabetes and delivery complications, not appearance. If you are just outside it, that is often something you can change before applying.
Do I need to have been pregnant before?
Yes. Nearly all programs require at least one previous full-term pregnancy delivered without major complications, and that you are currently raising a child. It is the strongest predictor of a safe surrogate pregnancy.
How long does surrogate screening take?
Typically two to four months, covering medical screening, psychological evaluation, background checks, and legal consultation.
Can single women be surrogates?
Yes. Relationship status does not affect eligibility. What matters is a strong support system of family or friends to help through the pregnancy.
Do tattoos or piercings disqualify me?
No. Most programs only ask that you avoid new tattoos or piercings for about 12 months before starting, because of the small infection risk while they heal.