Intended Parent Requirements for Surrogacy

Golden requires each Intended Parent to be at least 21. Other requirements include an established need for gestational surrogacy, upper-age guidance of a maximum combined age of 110 for couples or 54 for single individuals, financial security, a stable living environment, no criminal history, supportive relationships, respect for the Surrogate and her commitment, a general understanding of the process, timely and complete paperwork, willingness to complete an Intended Parent psychoeducational consultation, English proficiency for direct communication, and readiness to begin. These standards exist so that Intended Parents and Surrogates enter a match with the same expectations.

A need may be physical, reproductive, anatomical, or psychological, and includes circumstances where carrying a pregnancy is medically unsafe, medically inadvisable, or biologically impossible. Single men, male couples, and other Intended Parents who cannot biologically carry a pregnancy are understood to have a qualifying reproductive need. Golden reviews the circumstances you describe; your physician or licensed mental health professional evaluates your medical situation.

Social surrogacy refers to surrogacy pursued solely to avoid pregnancy without an established need. Golden does not participate in elective surrogacy of that kind, because the program is built around families for whom surrogacy is the path to parenthood. If you are unsure whether your circumstances qualify, speak with your physician or a licensed mental health professional and with the Golden team.

Yes. You may begin with Golden before selecting a fertility clinic, while completing IVF, while choosing an egg donor, or before embryos have been created. Starting the conversation early lets Golden explain the process and timing while your medical planning continues with your clinic.

At least one PGT-tested embryo that your fertility clinic has deemed suitable for transfer. This is required before Golden presents a Surrogate for match consideration so that a match can move forward without an open-ended medical timeline. The clinic, not Golden, determines whether an embryo is suitable for transfer.

Because Surrogates frequently prefer a journey plan that provides more than one transfer opportunity. Three PGT-tested embryos considered suitable for transfer is a strong recommendation rather than the minimum requirement, and embryo quantity may affect matching preferences and timing. PGT does not guarantee implantation, pregnancy, or any medical outcome.

No. Golden works within a single-embryo-transfer framework and does not accept Intended Parents seeking to transfer more than one embryo at a time or to intentionally pursue a twin pregnancy through double embryo transfer. This program policy reflects Golden’s commitment to the health and safety of the Surrogate and the pregnancy, and is consistent with ASRM guidance strongly recommending single embryo transfer in gestational-carrier cycles. Medical treatment decisions remain with the fertility clinic, and the Surrogate retains authority over her medical care. Review ASRM Guidance on Gestational Carrier Cycles .

Because Golden’s Surrogates live in the United States and most communicate primarily in English. Golden welcomes domestic and international Intended Parents, and native-level English is not expected. What is needed is enough proficiency to understand program communications, ask questions, participate directly in match and journey conversations, and build rapport without relying entirely on a third-party translator.

Regular direct contact throughout the journey, generally weekly or every other week. That contact may take the form of text messages, phone calls, video conversations, participation in medical appointments, or in-person visits when practical and mutually agreed upon. The specific style and frequency are discussed during matching so both sides begin with compatible expectations.

Each Intended Parent must be at least 21. Golden’s upper-age guidance is a maximum combined age of 110 for couples, or 54 for single individuals. Fertility clinics also apply their own health and age criteria, which are separate from Golden’s program guidance. Circumstances outside Golden’s general guidance may be reviewed individually.

Yes. Golden works with couples and single Intended Parents who meet the agency’s requirements and are prepared for the responsibilities of a surrogacy journey. Each Intended Parent must be at least 21. Golden’s upper-age guidance is a maximum combined age of 110 for couples or a maximum age of 54 for a single Intended Parent. Family structure does not reduce the importance of financial readiness, a stable living environment, a strong support system, communication readiness, psychological preparation, and mutual-match compatibility.

Yes. Golden requires Intended Parents to complete the step commonly described as a psychological assessment. For Intended Parents, however, this is generally a psychoeducational consultation with a reproductive mental health professional rather than the formal psychological evaluation completed by a Surrogate.

The consultation covers family-building history, coping, communication and boundaries with the Surrogate, sensitive medical decisions, contact and disclosure, and support resources. It is educational and preparatory rather than a personality test or ongoing therapy.

A Surrogate’s evaluation is more extensive and generally includes a detailed clinical interview and standardized psychometric testing. The full comparison appears in the psychoeducational consultation section above.

It means having the resources in place to fund the full program you select, including agency fees, Surrogate compensation and expenses, legal costs, and insurance, rather than only the first stage of the journey. Golden publishes complete program pricing so you can plan before matching. Review the Surrogacy Costs page for the full breakdown.