You’re thinking about becoming a Surrogate in Minnesota. One of the first questions on your mind is probably this: How long will this take?

That’s a completely normal question. Understanding the Minnesota surrogacy timeline helps you plan your life, prepare your family, and know what to expect at every step!

The truth is, surrogacy is not a fast process. It’s a carefully coordinated journey that involves medical, legal, and emotional preparation. In Minnesota, where surrogacy is built on contract law and case precedents, the timeline can vary based on clinic scheduling, legal coordination, and your personal readiness.

Most Surrogates in Minnesota can expect the entire process to take anywhere from 14 to 18 months from initial application to delivery. But each phase is designed to protect your health, your well-being, and your rights as a Surrogate!

Let’s walk through each stage together so you know exactly what to expect.

Table of Contents

• Overview of the Minnesota Surrogacy Timeline
• Application and Initial Screening Phase
• Medical and Psychological Screening
• Matching With Intended Parents
• Legal Contracts and Coordination in Minnesota
• Medical Preparation and Embryo Transfer
• Pregnancy, Delivery, and Postpartum Period
• Factors That Can Affect the Minnesota Surrogacy Timeline
• What Surrogates Can Expect at Each Stage
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Minnesota Surrogacy Timeline
• Planning Your Surrogacy Journey With Confidence

Overview of the Minnesota Surrogacy Timeline

The Minnesota surrogacy timeline typically spans 14 to 18 months from your first application to delivery!

Here’s a helpful breakdown:

• Agency screening and preparation: 30 to 90 days (60 day average)
• Matching with Intended Parents: 1 to 2 weeks
• In-person clinic screening: 4 to 8 weeks
• Legal contract coordination: 4 to 8 weeks
• Medical preparation and embryo transfer: 15 to 30 days
• Pregnancy and delivery: 9 months
• Postpartum follow-up: 6 to 8 weeks

This isn’t a race. Each phase exists for a reason, and rushing through any step can create unnecessary risks or complications!

Minnesota uses contract law to establish Intended Parent rights, which means legal coordination is especially important. This can add time to your timeline, but it also ensures that everyone’s rights are protected before any medical steps begin.

The good news? A reputable agency like Golden Surrogacy manages this coordination for you, keeping everything moving smoothly while prioritizing your safety and peace of mind!

Application and Initial Screening Phase

Your journey begins when you submit your online application!

This phase typically takes 30 to 90 days and includes several important steps:

Online Application
You’ll provide information about your pregnancy history, medical background, lifestyle, and motivation for becoming a Surrogate. This is your chance to share your story!

Intake Review and Education
Once your application is reviewed, a member of the Golden Surrogacy team will reach out to discuss your interest. This is a friendly conversation, not an interrogation. You’ll learn more about the process, ask questions, and determine if surrogacy is a good fit for you right now.

Pre-Screening Discussions
Before moving forward, the agency will review your medical records and conduct preliminary interviews. This helps ensure you meet the basic Minnesota surrogate requirements before investing more time in the process.

Background Checks and Home Visit
Golden Surrogacy conducts background checks and a home visit to ensure a safe and stable environment. This isn’t about judgment. It’s about making sure you have the support system you need throughout pregnancy!

Psychological Screening
You’ll meet with a licensed mental health professional who specializes in surrogacy. This session helps assess your emotional readiness and ensures you understand the journey ahead.

OB Clearance
Your previous OB/GYN will be contacted to review your pregnancy and delivery records. This step confirms that your past pregnancies were healthy and uncomplicated.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re officially cleared to move to the matching phase!

Medical and Psychological Screening

Before you can be matched with Intended Parents, Golden Surrogacy ensures you’re fully prepared!

Agency-Level Screening
This happens during the application phase and includes reviewing your medical records, conducting psychological evaluations, and obtaining OB clearance. The goal is to confirm you meet the health and wellness standards required to safely carry a pregnancy.

Psychological Screening
You’ll meet with a psychologist who specializes in third-party reproduction. This isn’t a test you can pass or fail. It’s a supportive conversation designed to explore your motivations, assess your emotional preparedness, and ensure you have realistic expectations about the journey ahead.

The psychologist will also discuss:

• Your understanding of the surrogacy process
• Your support system at home
• Your ability to communicate boundaries and needs
• Your emotional readiness for the surrogacy relationship

This screening protects you. It ensures you’re entering surrogacy with full awareness and support!

Why This Phase Matters
Medical and psychological screening can take several weeks, especially if records need to be requested or if you need time to schedule appointments. But this phase is essential. It confirms that you’re physically and emotionally ready for the journey ahead!

Matching With Intended Parents

Once you’ve completed the agency screening process, it’s time to find your match!

Matching is one of the most meaningful parts of the surrogacy journey. This is when you’re introduced to Intended Parents who share your values, communication style, and expectations for the journey ahead.

What Matching Involves
Golden Surrogacy’s team will present you with profiles of Intended Parents looking for a Surrogate. You’ll review their information, learn about their story, and decide if you’d like to meet them!

If both sides feel it’s a good fit, you’ll have a video call or phone conversation to get to know each other better. This is a chance to ask questions, share expectations, and see if your personalities click.

How Long Does Matching Take?
Matching timelines vary. Some Surrogates match within weeks. Others may take a few months to find the right family.

Golden Surrogacy prioritizes quality matches over speed. You should never feel pressured to accept a match that doesn’t feel right!

What Happens After You Match?
Once you’ve matched, you’ll move to the next phase: in-person medical screening at the Intended Parents’ fertility clinic. This only happens after you’ve been matched and have met the Intended Parents!

Legal Contracts and Coordination in Minnesota

Legal coordination is a critical part of the Minnesota surrogacy timeline!

Minnesota relies on contract law and case precedents to establish Intended Parent rights. This means your surrogacy agreement must be carefully drafted, reviewed, and finalized before any medical procedures begin.

When Does the Legal Phase Start?
The legal phase begins only after you’ve completed in-person medical screening at the fertility clinic and received final medical approval. This ensures that both you and the Intended Parents are medically cleared before investing time and resources in legal coordination.

What’s Involved in the Legal Process?
You’ll work with an independent attorney who represents your interests. The Intended Parents will have their own attorney. Your attorney will review the surrogacy contract, explain your rights and responsibilities, and make sure you understand every term before you sign.

The contract will address:

• Compensation and benefits (learn more about Minnesota surrogate compensation)
• Medical decisions and procedures
• Communication expectations
• Post-birth coordination
• Legal parentage establishment

How Long Does Legal Coordination Take?
Legal review and contract finalization typically take 4 to 8 weeks. This timeline can vary based on attorney availability, contract complexity, and any negotiations that need to happen.

The Intended Parents cover all legal fees, including your independent attorney. You will never pay out of pocket for legal representation!

Why Legal Timing Matters in Minnesota
In Minnesota, legal coordination may also involve planning for parentage establishment after birth. Some Minnesota courts issue pre-birth orders, while others require post-birth processes. Your attorney will explain how this affects your timeline and what to expect after delivery.

For more details, check out our guide to Minnesota surrogacy laws.

Medical Preparation and Embryo Transfer

Once contracts are signed, it’s time to prepare your body for embryo transfer!

Cycle Preparation
The fertility clinic will coordinate your menstrual cycle with the embryo transfer schedule. You’ll take medications (usually injections) to prepare your uterine lining. These medications help create the ideal environment for an embryo to implant.

This phase can take 15 to 30 days, depending on your cycle and the clinic’s schedule.

Monitoring Appointments
You’ll have regular monitoring appointments at the fertility clinic. These appointments include blood tests and ultrasounds to track your progress. The clinic wants to ensure your body is responding well to the medications!

Embryo Transfer
Once your uterine lining is ready, you’ll travel to the clinic for the embryo transfer. This is a quick, minimally invasive procedure. Most Surrogates describe it as similar to a pap smear!

After the transfer, you’ll rest for a bit and then head home. Some clinics recommend taking it easy for a day or two, but you won’t be on strict bed rest.

The Two-Week Wait
After the embryo transfer, you’ll wait about 10 to 14 days before taking a pregnancy test. This waiting period can feel long, but it’s necessary to give the embryo time to implant!

The clinic will schedule a blood test to confirm pregnancy. If the test is positive, congratulations! You’ll continue monitoring appointments for the first few weeks to confirm a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy, Delivery, and Postpartum Period

If the embryo transfer is successful, you’ll carry the pregnancy for approximately nine months!

First Trimester
During the first trimester, you’ll have regular monitoring appointments at the fertility clinic. Around 8 to 10 weeks, you’ll be released to your regular OB/GYN for ongoing prenatal care.

Golden Surrogacy stays in close contact with you throughout this phase. Your dedicated Care Team is available by phone, text, and email whenever you need support!

Second Trimester
In the second trimester, the agency will coordinate birthrights and hospital planning. This ensures that the Intended Parents can be present for the birth and that the hospital staff understands the surrogacy arrangement.

You’ll continue regular prenatal appointments and stay in communication with the Intended Parents and your Golden Surrogacy Care Team.

Third Trimester and Delivery
As your due date approaches, you’ll finalize delivery plans with the Intended Parents and the hospital. Many Surrogates choose to have the Intended Parents in the delivery room, but that’s entirely up to you!

After delivery, the baby goes home with the Intended Parents. Your role as a Surrogate is complete, and you can focus on your own recovery.

Postpartum Period
The postpartum phase typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks. Golden Surrogacy will check in with you during this time to make sure you’re healing well and to provide any support you need.

You’ll also finalize any remaining compensation payments and complete any legal steps related to parentage establishment in Minnesota.

Factors That Can Affect the Minnesota Surrogacy Timeline

Every surrogacy journey is unique. Several factors can influence how long your Minnesota surrogacy timeline takes:

Clinic Scheduling
Fertility clinics manage multiple patients and cycles. Scheduling your in-person screening, embryo transfer, and monitoring appointments can sometimes add time to the process.

Legal Review Timelines
Attorney availability and contract negotiations can affect how long the legal phase takes. In Minnesota, coordinating with out-of-state Intended Parents or navigating parentage establishment can add complexity.

Insurance Coordination
Verifying your insurance coverage and securing supplemental policies (if needed) can take time. The Intended Parents’ attorney and the agency will work together to ensure all insurance matters are handled before the embryo transfer.

Personal Readiness and Availability
Your own schedule matters too! If you need time to prepare your family, schedule medical appointments, or adjust to the process, that’s completely okay. You should never feel rushed.

Matching Timing
Some Surrogates match quickly. Others take longer to find the right family. Golden Surrogacy prioritizes quality matches, which means we’ll never pressure you to move forward with a match that doesn’t feel right.

Timelines vary based on individual circumstances, clinic scheduling, and legal coordination. What’s most important is that each phase is completed thoughtfully and thoroughly!

What Surrogates Can Expect at Each Stage

Golden Surrogacy is with you every step of the way!

Communication Cadence
Throughout the journey, you’ll have regular check-ins with your dedicated Care Team. Founder Frank Golden personally guides every Surrogate, and your Agency Director is available by phone, text, and email.

You’ll never feel alone or unsure about what’s happening next!

Support Provided by Golden Surrogacy
Golden Surrogacy manages the coordination between you, the Intended Parents, the fertility clinic, and the attorneys. We handle scheduling, paperwork, and logistics so you can focus on your health and well-being.

We also provide emotional support, educational resources, and guidance throughout the entire process.

What You’re Responsible For
As a Surrogate, you’re responsible for attending appointments, taking medications as prescribed, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and communicating openly with your Care Team and the Intended Parents.

Everything else? We handle it for you!

What the Agency Manages
Golden Surrogacy coordinates:

• Screening and matching
• Legal and insurance coordination
• Clinic scheduling and communication
• Compensation and benefits
• Postpartum support and follow-up

You’re treated like family, not a number. We’re here to support you from day one through delivery and beyond!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Minnesota Surrogacy Timeline

How long does surrogacy usually take in Minnesota?
Most surrogacy journeys in Minnesota take 14 to 18 months from initial application to delivery. This includes screening, matching, legal coordination, medical preparation, and pregnancy.

Can the timeline be shorter or longer?
Yes! Some journeys move faster if screening, matching, and legal steps align quickly. Others may take longer due to clinic schedules, matching timelines, or personal circumstances. Every journey is unique!

What causes delays?
Common causes of delays include clinic scheduling, legal review timelines, insurance coordination, and personal availability. In Minnesota, coordinating parentage establishment can also affect timing.

Can Surrogates pause the process?
Absolutely. If you need time to focus on personal matters, adjust your schedule, or reconsider your readiness, you can pause the process at any time. Golden Surrogacy will support whatever decision is best for you and your family.

Do I need to live in Minnesota to follow this timeline?
You should live in Minnesota to take advantage of Minnesota’s legal framework. However, timelines can vary if you’re matched with out-of-state Intended Parents or working with a different clinic.

Planning Your Surrogacy Journey With Confidence

Understanding the Minnesota surrogacy timeline helps you plan with confidence!

Surrogacy is a journey that requires patience, preparation, and support. Each phase exists to protect your health, your rights, and your well-being. While the timeline can feel long, every step is meaningful and necessary.

At Golden Surrogacy, we’re committed to guiding you through this journey with care, transparency, and respect. You’re never just a number. You’re family!

If you’re ready to learn more about becoming a Surrogate in Minnesota, we’re here to help. Take the next step when you feel informed and ready. There’s no pressure, no rush!

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Ready to explore surrogacy?
Learn more about the surrogacy process and find out if becoming a Surrogate in Minnesota is right for you. Visit our Become a Surrogate page to get started. You can also explore Golden Surrogacy’s specific Surrogate timeline or reach out with questions anytime. We’re here for you!