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Surrogacy FAQs for Surrogates

Golden Surrogacy’s Surrogate FAQ answers common questions about compensation, eligibility, matching, screening, travel, medical care, communication, and what to expect throughout the Surrogacy Journey. Search the library or browse by topic to understand how the process works and how Golden supports Surrogates at each stage.

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Search by question or browse by topic to find clear answers about compensation, eligibility, screening, matching, IVF and embryo transfer, pregnancy care, travel, legal representation, and the support Golden provides to Surrogates.

Getting Started

How to apply, what happens next, how long a journey takes, and what Golden does for you.

How do I apply to become a Surrogate with Golden?

You begin with Golden’s Surrogate application. It asks for basic information about your age, height and weight, pregnancy and delivery history, general health, and where you live, so the team can review initial eligibility before anything else begins.

Applying costs nothing and does not commit you to a journey. It simply allows Golden to tell you where you stand and what the next step would be.

Start the Surrogate application or review the Surrogate Requirements first.

What happens after I submit my application?

A member of the Golden team reviews your application and contacts you to discuss your history, your goals, and what the Surrogacy Journey involves. If your initial information meets Golden’s standards, you move into Premium Surrogate Pre-Screening.

Application review and an introductory conversation.
Agency agreement, background check authorization, and the medical release that allows Golden to request your pregnancy and delivery records.
Records review, insurance review, psychological assessment, virtual home visit, and the included Maternal-Fetal Medicine screening review.
Match presentation once eligibility is established.

The full sequence is documented on the Surrogate Process page.

How long does the entire Surrogate process usually take?

Every journey follows its own timeline. The parts you can influence most are the early ones: how quickly you complete agency forms and how long it takes to collect and review your pregnancy and delivery records.

Once eligibility is established, most matches are completed within 30 to 60 days. Clinic screening, legal contracts, embryo transfer, and a full-term pregnancy follow, and each stage has its own realistic timing on the Surrogate Process page.

What support does Golden provide throughout the journey?

Golden coordinates the journey around you. Your Care Team handles scheduling, communication with the Intended Parent(s) and the clinic, approved travel, and expense submission, and answers the questions that come up in between milestones.

A dedicated point of contact from application through recovery.
Coordination of appointments, travel, and paperwork.
Support submitting approved expenses to the escrow provider.
Help when communication expectations need to be reset.

Read more about the Golden approach on Why Golden for Surrogates.

Why work with a surrogacy agency instead of pursuing an independent journey?

An agency carries the coordination and the advocacy. Golden reviews eligibility before you invest months of your life, presents matches that fit your preferences, arranges independent legal representation paid for by the Intended Parent(s), and keeps compensation and approved expenses funded through an independent escrow provider.

If you are comparing agencies, read Golden’s guide to choosing the best surrogacy agency for Surrogates.

Are Surrogates genetically related to the baby, and how do Gestational and Traditional Surrogacy differ?

No. Golden manages gestational surrogacy only. In gestational surrogacy the embryo is created through IVF using the Intended Parent(s)’ genetic material or donor material and is transferred to your uterus, so a Gestational Surrogate has no genetic relationship to the child she carries.

In traditional surrogacy, the Surrogate uses her own eggs and therefore has a genetic connection to the child. Golden recruits only Gestational Surrogates and manages only gestational surrogacy arrangements.

Golden’s guide to gestational versus traditional surrogacy explains the distinction in more detail.

Do I have to live in Illinois where your agency is located?

No. You do not need to live in Illinois to become a Surrogate with Golden. Golden works with qualified candidates in the surrogacy-friendly states from which it recruits. See Become a Surrogate by State for where Golden is currently accepting applicants.

After a successful match, you will travel to the Intended Parent(s)’ fertility clinic for screening and embryo transfer, and those travel expenses are paid by the Intended Parent(s). Golden coordinates travel and appointments so the process stays manageable.

If you are wondering whether the agency itself needs to be near you, read why a surrogacy agency does not need to be local.

Requirements and Eligibility

Age, BMI, pregnancy history, health, lifestyle, and the factors reviewed before matching.

What are the requirements to become a Surrogate?

Golden reviews age, BMI, pregnancy history, overall health, lifestyle, stability, and readiness before moving an applicant forward. These standards support safer pregnancies and stronger journeys for everyone involved.

Be between the ages of 23 and 37
Have a BMI of 30 or under before medical clearance
Have given birth to and personally raised, or currently be raising, at least one biological child
Have a history of uncomplicated pregnancies
Have had no more than 3 previous deliveries
Have had no more than 1 previous C-section
Be in excellent overall health
Have a stable and supportive family
Have a stable living environment
Be financially secure
Have reliable transportation
Be a non-smoker and free of illegal drug use
Have no criminal history
Have had no tattoos or piercings in the last 12 months
Be enthusiastic and ready to begin the Surrogacy Journey

The complete standard lives on the Surrogate Requirements page.

What could disqualify someone from becoming a Surrogate?

Factors such as significant pregnancy complications, elevated BMI, recent tattoos or piercings, smoking, illegal drug use, unstable living circumstances, or certain medical or legal concerns may affect eligibility.

Some eligibility requirements are firm, while other medical or personal circumstances require a more complete review. If you are unsure whether you qualify, applying is the best next step so the Golden team can review your situation with you.

Do I need to have given birth before becoming a Surrogate, and how long should I wait after delivery?

Yes. Golden requires applicants to have previously given birth and to have personally raised, or currently be raising, at least one biological child they delivered. A prior birth alone, without the experience of raising a child of their own, does not satisfy this requirement.

Golden also coordinates professional review of pregnancy and delivery records. At least 12 months must pass between your most recent delivery and embryo transfer under Golden’s policy. You must also finish breastfeeding before beginning fertility medications or an embryo-transfer cycle. You may apply or contact Golden before the 12-month point so the team can review your timing. Your recovery, medical history, records review, and fertility-clinic requirements still determine when each stage can begin.

What age and BMI requirements apply?

General eligibility begins at ages 23 to 37 with a BMI of 30 or under before medical clearance. Golden also applies narrower Enhanced Surrogate Criteria when evaluating candidates for its programs, and the fertility clinic sets the final medical clearance standard.

If your BMI is close to the threshold, the team can explain how the review works. See the Surrogate Requirements page for the full standard.

Can I become a Surrogate after a prior C-section?

In most cases yes, provided you have had no more than one previous C-section and your delivery records show an uncomplicated recovery. Golden coordinates review of your records by qualified medical professionals before matching, and the Intended Parent(s)’ fertility clinic makes the final medical clearance decision.

If I have had my tubes tied, can I still be a Surrogate?

Yes. In gestational surrogacy the fallopian tubes are not needed, because an embryo is transferred directly into the uterus rather than relying on natural conception. Tubal ligation does not prevent you from becoming a Gestational Surrogate.

Can I apply while breastfeeding?

You may submit an application while breastfeeding. However, breastfeeding must end before you begin fertility medications or an embryo-transfer cycle, and you must satisfy the fertility clinic’s hormonal and medical clearance requirements.

Because timing may depend on the clinic and your individual circumstances, Golden will review the appropriate next steps with you during screening.

Can a single or unmarried woman become a Surrogate?

Yes. Golden does not require applicants to be married. What matters is a stable home, a dependable support system, and readiness for the commitments of a Surrogacy Journey. If you have a spouse or partner, that person participates in parts of screening and signs the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement.

Can medications or medical history affect eligibility?

They can. Some medications, particularly those used for mental health, autoimmune conditions, or chronic illness, are reviewed carefully because they may interact with an IVF protocol or pregnancy.

Past or current mental-health treatment, including postpartum depression or the use of antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication, requires an individualized review. The diagnosis, medication, treatment history, current stability, and recommendations of the licensed psychological evaluator and fertility clinic may all be relevant. Applicants should not stop prescribed medication merely to qualify and should discuss any medication changes with their prescribing medical professional.

Disclose everything during intake. A medication is often manageable, while an undisclosed one discovered later can end a journey after both sides have invested time. The final medical decision belongs to the fertility clinic.

Why does Golden have Enhanced Surrogate Criteria?

Enhanced Surrogate Criteria describe the narrower standards Golden applies when evaluating candidates, beyond general eligibility. The purpose is to present matches that are more likely to receive clinic clearance and to carry a healthy pregnancy, which protects your time as much as it protects the Intended Parent(s). The criteria are applied during Premium Surrogate Pre-Screening, not used to disqualify applicants at first contact.

Compensation and Expenses

The $70,000 minimum package, when payments begin, reimbursed expenses, and escrow protection.

What is my compensation?

Golden Surrogates receive a compensation and benefits package totaling a minimum cash value of $70,000. For a first-time Golden Surrogate that is $50,000 in base compensation plus $20,000 in standard Golden benefits.

Every first-time Golden Surrogate receives the same standard base compensation and benefits regardless of state, insurance, or employment status, with the option to negotiate individual terms when appropriate. Full detail is on the Surrogate Compensation page.

When does Surrogate compensation begin, and how is it paid?

Compensation and approved expense terms are established in the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement before the medical protocol begins. The Intended Parents fund an independent escrow account, and payments are issued according to the schedule established in the agreement.

Golden reviews the compensation structure and payment process with each Surrogate so she understands what is paid, when it is paid, and what documentation may be required. Golden coordinates the process and helps you submit expenses correctly, and does not hold, control, or disburse escrow funds.

Golden anticipates $12,500 paid before pregnancy is confirmed: a $500 matching bonus, two $500 monthly allowances, a $1,500 medication start fee, a $1,500 embryo transfer fee, and an $8,000 milestone bonus for legal completion and the first transfer. This is paid from the compensation package, not in addition to it. Payment timing depends on the milestones reached and the agreement.

Review the Surrogate Compensation page for the current structure.

What benefits and reimbursed expenses are included?

First-time Golden Surrogates receive $50,000 in base compensation plus $20,000 in standard Golden benefits, for a minimum total compensation of $70,000.

The standard benefits include:

$500 matching bonus
$500 monthly allowance, estimated at 14 payments for planning, not capped at 14
$1,500 clothing allowance
$1,500 medication start fee
$1,500 embryo transfer fee
$8,000 milestone bonus for legal completion and the first embryo transfer

The monthly allowance begins when legal contracts are signed. Payments continue during the journey and through six weeks after a vaginal delivery or eight weeks after a C-section, according to the agreement. More than 14 payments may be needed if the post-legal journey takes longer, according to the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement.

The benefits package covers the recognized costs of a Surrogacy Journey rather than being negotiated line by line for each Surrogate. Approved legal fees, medical bills, mileage, childcare, lost wages, travel, and other journey-specific expenses are funded separately by the Intended Parents according to the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement.

Does becoming a Surrogate cost me anything, and who pays for travel, childcare, lost wages, and medical expenses?

No. Applying is free, and the costs of the journey are the responsibility of the Intended Parent(s). That includes your own attorney, screening, medical bills, approved travel, and approved journey expenses, all funded through the independent escrow account.

Approved journey expenses such as mileage, childcare, lost wages, and maternity support are paid by the Intended Parent(s) and funded through the independent escrow provider. Required travel to the fertility clinic is included, and Golden coordinates the arrangements.

The specific allowances are written into your Gestational Surrogacy Agreement during the legal stage, so the terms are settled before medication begins.

How are my compensation and reimbursements protected through escrow?

Your compensation and approved expenses are funded in advance into an account held by an independent escrow provider, separate from Golden and separate from the Intended Parent(s). Payments are released according to the milestones in your signed agreement.

Golden helps you submit approved expenses correctly and keeps timing on track, and never takes custody of escrow funds. Golden’s complete guide to surrogacy escrow explains how the accounts work.

Do experienced Surrogates receive different compensation?

Yes. Golden’s current published compensation structure provides experienced Surrogates with an additional $5,000 in base compensation. Individual terms may also be discussed when appropriate.

The complete compensation and benefit structure should be reviewed with Golden before a Surrogate accepts a match. Full detail is on the Surrogate Compensation page.

Is Surrogate compensation taxable, and do you issue 1099 tax forms?

Golden does not issue 1099 forms and does not provide tax advice.

Tax treatment of surrogacy compensation depends on your individual circumstances. Golden recommends that every Surrogate consult a qualified tax professional about how to report her compensation.

Screening and Matching

Premium Surrogate Pre-Screening, records review, Maternal-Fetal Medicine screening review, and mutual matching.

How long does it take to be matched with the Intended Parent(s)?

Matching can move quickly, but for most Surrogates the timing depends on how promptly agency forms are completed and how long it takes to collect and review your medical records.

Before matching begins, applicants complete the agency agreement, the background check authorization, and the medical release documentation that allows Golden to facilitate third-party collection and professional medical review of pregnancy and delivery records.

On average, most matches are completed within 30 to 60 days after eligibility is established, because Golden takes time to create a strong fit that supports success, trust, and a positive journey for both the Surrogate and the Intended Parent(s).

Do Surrogates choose their Intended Parents, and is matching mutual?

Yes, matching is mutual. Golden discusses your preferences and comfort level before presenting a profile, and no match proceeds unless both sides agree after meeting.

Your preferences about family structure, location, communication style, termination and reduction views, and contact after delivery are part of the conversation from the beginning, because agreement on those points is what makes a journey work.

What happens during Premium Surrogate Pre-Screening?

Premium Surrogate Pre-Screening is the substantial pre-match review Golden completes before any profile is presented. Golden coordinates agency screening and the work of independent professionals. Medical records are collected through a professional third-party medical service and reviewed by qualified medical professionals. This pre-match process is separate from final medical clearance granted later by the Intended Parent(s)’ fertility clinic.

Pregnancy and delivery records review
Maternal-Fetal Medicine screening review
Insurance review and OB clearance
Psychological assessment by a licensed evaluator
Virtual home visit
Background review
Delivery hospital and NICU verification

Each step is described in sequence on the Surrogate Process page.

Why are pregnancy and delivery records collected?

Your records are the clearest evidence of how your previous pregnancies and deliveries progressed. Reviewing them early tells Golden and the reviewing physicians whether a journey is likely to receive clinic clearance, which helps reduce the chance of a match ending for a medical issue that could have been identified earlier. You sign a medical release so Golden can request them on your behalf.

What is Golden's included Maternal-Fetal Medicine screening review?

Golden includes a Maternal-Fetal Medicine screening review of Surrogate records before a match is presented. It is part of Premium Surrogate Pre-Screening for every candidate, not an optional add-on and not something applied only in selected cases.

A maternal-fetal medicine perspective on your pregnancy history helps identify risks early, which protects your health first and reduces the chance of a match failing at clinic clearance. The fertility clinic still grants final medical clearance later.

What does the psychological assessment involve?

A licensed mental health evaluator meets with you, and with your spouse or partner where applicable, to discuss your motivation, your support system, your expectations for the relationship with the Intended Parent(s), and how you would approach difficult scenarios. Standard psychological testing is typically part of the assessment.

It is a preparation step as much as a screening step. The topics raised in the session are the ones that later appear in the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement.

Are background checks and a home visit required?

Yes. Golden completes a background review and a virtual home visit before matching. The home visit is a conversation in your own environment rather than an inspection, and it confirms that your living situation is stable and supportive for a pregnancy.

Does a spouse or partner participate in screening?

Yes, where applicable. A spouse or partner takes part in the psychological assessment and the virtual home visit, completes background review, may be asked to complete infectious disease testing under fertility clinic and FDA requirements, and signs the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement.

What happens if my records do not meet Golden or clinic requirements?

Golden tells you directly and explains why. Sometimes the answer is not yet rather than no, for example when more time is needed after a delivery, when a medication needs review, or when an additional record is required.

If the fertility clinic declines medical clearance after a match, Golden works with both sides on next steps. The clinic’s medical decision is always its own.

What type of testing is required?

Surrogates and, when applicable, their spouse or partner typically complete a range of tests based on fertility clinic requirements and certain FDA requirements. This usually includes infectious disease screening as well as testing for nicotine and illegal drug use.

In some cases, Intended Parents may also request updated nicotine or illegal drug testing during the pregnancy.

Golden’s guide to Surrogate screening explains what to expect at each stage.

IVF and Embryo Transfer

Clinic screening, medications, travel to the clinic, transfer day, and what happens afterward.

What fertility medications or injections will I take?

Your protocol is written by the Intended Parent(s)’ fertility clinic and typically includes oral medication and injectable medications that prepare the uterine lining for transfer, followed by support medication in early pregnancy. The clinic sets the dosing, monitors your response, and tells you when each medication stops. Golden does not provide medical advice or change a clinic protocol.

Will I need to travel to the Intended Parents' IVF clinic, and what travel should I expect?

Yes. You travel to the fertility clinic for medical screening and again for the embryo transfer. Required travel expenses are paid by the Intended Parent(s), and Golden coordinates flights, lodging, and appointment timing.

Monitoring appointments between those trips are usually completed at a clinic closer to home, and prenatal care and delivery stay close to home as well.

What happens during embryo transfer?

Embryo transfer is a short outpatient procedure. The embryologist prepares the embryo, and the physician places it into the uterus using a thin catheter with ultrasound guidance. Anesthesia is not typically required, and most Surrogates rest briefly afterward.

The clinic then schedules blood work to confirm pregnancy and gives you activity guidance for the days that follow.

Does Golden permit more than one embryo to be transferred at a time?

No. Golden requires that journeys proceed within a single-embryo-transfer framework and does not accept Intended Parents seeking to transfer more than one embryo at a time or intentionally pursue a twin pregnancy through double embryo transfer.

This policy protects the health of the Surrogate and the pregnancy and is consistent with professional guidance strongly recommending single embryo transfer in gestational-carrier cycles.

What happens if the first embryo transfer is unsuccessful?

A transfer that does not result in pregnancy is not unusual, and it is not a failure on your part. The fertility clinic reviews the cycle and advises on timing for a subsequent transfer, and your Gestational Surrogacy Agreement already sets out how additional transfers are handled.

Golden coordinates scheduling and support through that period. Read Golden’s guidance on failed transfer and pregnancy loss.

How long does the IVF clinic monitor the pregnancy?

The fertility clinic follows the early pregnancy with blood work and ultrasounds during the first weeks and then releases you to obstetric care. Golden coordinates the handoff so your OB has what is needed before the first prenatal appointment.

Pregnancy, Medical Care, and Travel

Your OB, working during the journey, appointments, delivery, and travel expectations.

Will I get to keep my OB?

Yes. In most cases Golden Surrogates may return to their regular OB after being released from the IVF clinic’s care. In rare situations, Intended Parents may request a different OB based on location, insurance coverage, hospital facilities, quality of care, or legal considerations tied to parental rights.

Can I continue working during the journey?

Most Surrogates continue working. You will need time for appointments, for travel to the fertility clinic, and for recovery around delivery, and those needs are discussed before matching so expectations are realistic for you, your employer, and the Intended Parent(s).

Who pays if bed rest or pregnancy complications affect my income?

Approved Surrogate and spouse or partner lost wages are reimbursed at the actual verified lost-wage amount, based on applicable paystubs and work schedules. Golden’s current published compensation structure also provides a $350-per-week bed-rest benefit.

The precise terms, documentation requirements, and any applicable limitations are established in the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement and funded through escrow by the Intended Parent(s).

Who pays for maternity insurance, and how is my insurance reviewed?

The Intended Parent(s) are responsible for the cost of maternity coverage for the pregnancy.

Golden reviews your current policy during pre-screening to determine whether it can be used for a surrogacy pregnancy. Policies differ, and some exclude surrogacy entirely. Where existing coverage cannot be used, the Intended Parent(s) arrange appropriate maternity coverage before transfer, and the responsibility is documented in the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement.

Can Intended Parents attend medical appointments?

Usually yes, and many Intended Parents attend key ultrasounds in person or by video. Attendance is agreed between you and the Intended Parent(s) before contracts are signed, and it stays within the limits of your clinic’s and hospital’s policies.

Where will I deliver the baby, and can the Intended Parents attend the birth?

You deliver at a hospital near your home. Golden verifies the delivery hospital and its NICU capability during pre-screening, because the hospital and the state where delivery takes place also affect the legal work your attorneys complete before birth.

In most journeys the Intended Parent(s) are present for the birth, and this is one of the expectations agreed in advance and written into the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement. Your comfort and your hospital’s policies set the boundaries, and Golden coordinates the birth plan with the hospital ahead of time.

What happens after delivery?

You recover, final payments are released according to your agreement, and your Care Team stays available through the postpartum period. Golden coordinates documentation with the hospital while your attorneys complete the parentage work, so recovery is your only responsibility.

Legal, Insurance, and Protection

Your own attorney, the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement, insurance review, and escrow.

Will I have my own attorney, and who pays my legal fees?

You are represented by your own attorney, and your legal fees are paid by the Intended Parent(s). Golden refers you to an Assisted Reproductive Technology attorney licensed in the state where delivery will take place so that someone independent is advocating only for your interests during negotiation.

What is included in the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement?

The agreement is negotiated by your attorney and the Intended Parent(s)’ attorney and signed before any medication begins. It puts the expectations of the journey in writing.

Compensation, payment timing, and reimbursed expenses
Travel, appointments, and medical decision making
Views on termination and reduction, agreed in advance
Communication expectations and contact after delivery
Insurance responsibility and escrow funding
How additional transfers are handled

Golden coordinates timing between the attorneys and the clinic and does not provide legal advice.

What legal and medical protections are established before embryo transfer?

Before a transfer is scheduled, the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement is signed, independent legal representation is in place, escrow is funded, insurance has been reviewed, and the fertility clinic has granted medical clearance. Parentage itself is established by the attorneys through the process that applies in the delivery state, and that process is not the same everywhere.

Does surrogacy law work the same way in every state?

No. Surrogacy law and the procedures for establishing parentage vary by state, which is one reason Golden recruits from surrogacy-friendly states and refers you to an attorney licensed where delivery will take place. Your attorney advises you on how the law applies to your situation. See Become a Surrogate by State.

Communication and Support

Your relationship with the Intended Parent(s), your Care Team, and support after delivery.

What level of communication is expected between the Intended Parent(s) and the Surrogate?

Golden treats communication preferences as an important part of the matching process. Your goals and comfort level are discussed before matching so both sides understand what kind of relationship and level of interaction feels appropriate.

Because every match is different, the outcome can vary based on chemistry and shared expectations. Intended Parents and Surrogates should discuss communication openly and agree on an approach before legal contracts are signed.

Will I have contact with the Intended Parent(s) after delivery?

That depends on what you and the Intended Parent(s) agree. Some relationships continue with photos and updates for years, and others conclude warmly soon after birth. Because expectations differ, the subject is raised before matching and written into the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement rather than left to assumption.

Who do I contact when I have questions or concerns, and how does Golden help resolve communication challenges?

Your Care Team at Golden. You have a dedicated point of contact from application through recovery, so questions about appointments, expenses, travel, or the relationship with your Intended Parent(s) go to someone who already knows your journey. You can also contact Golden directly.

When communication becomes difficult, Golden steps in as the neutral coordinator. If expectations drift, if messages become uncomfortable, or if either side needs a boundary restated, the Care Team addresses it directly rather than leaving you to manage it yourself. That advocacy is a core reason Surrogates work with an agency.

What emotional support is available during and after the journey?

Golden supports Surrogates through screening, matching, pregnancy, delivery, and recovery. Your Care Team is available for questions and concerns. Golden also offers an optional counseling benefit capped at $1,000 for actual expenses. For New York journeys, the cap does not limit required counseling access. Intended Parents pay any additional required counseling costs through escrow under the agreement.

The team can also help coordinate appropriate professional resources when additional support is needed.

Can I refer someone who is interested in becoming a Surrogate?

Yes. Golden runs a Surrogate Referral Program for women who introduce other qualified candidates to the agency. Details and current terms are on the Surrogate Referral Program page.

Keep Reading

Continue Your Research

Surrogate Compensation

Understand Golden's compensation package, benefits, reimbursements, and payment structure.

Review Surrogate Compensation

Surrogate Requirements

Review the health, pregnancy-history, age, BMI, lifestyle, and readiness standards for applicants.

Review Surrogate Requirements

Surrogate Process

Follow the major stages from application and screening through matching, transfer, pregnancy, and delivery.

Review the Surrogate Process

Take the Next Step

See If Surrogacy Is Right for You

Completing the first step of the application allows Golden to review basic eligibility and explain what comes next. There is no cost and no commitment, and a member of the team will walk you through your options.