Surrogates: requirements

What are the requirements to become a surrogate?

The short answer

To qualify as a gestational surrogate with Private Label Surrogacy you must meet nine requirements: age 21 to 43; US citizenship or permanent residency; BMI under 33; at least one healthy full-term pregnancy with no history of recurrent miscarriage; currently parenting your own child; non-smoker, non-vaper and no drug use including cannabis; no government assistance; a stable home with a support system; and no current antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication. You also need a clean legal record, fewer than two to three prior C-sections depending on the physician, and willingness to discuss termination of a non-viable pregnancy. Each requirement maps to ASRM gestational carrier guidance or the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act. Dr. Silverberg reads every candidate's prenatal and delivery records before a clinic ever sees them.

Written by Mark Silverberg, MD

Executive Director. Physician with 30+ years of practice; reads every surrogate candidate's records.

Medically reviewed by Mark Silverberg, MD

Last updated October 14, 2026

What are the nine core requirements?

This section is being written.

Why does each requirement exist?

This section is being written.

Which requirements come from ASRM and which from Illinois law?

This section is being written.

What disqualifies you from being a surrogate?

This section is being written.

What do clinics check that agencies do not?

This section is being written.

What if you meet most but not all of the requirements?

This section is being written.

What happens after you qualify?

This section is being written.

Table in preparation

Requirement-by-requirement table: criterion, PLS threshold, ASRM or statutory source, why it exists, link to the detail page.

Editor notes (B-002): Current site says 'US citizen and able to work in the US'; brief says citizen or permanent resident. Confirm with Nancy which applies. Confirm C-section limit (site says fewer than 2 to 3, physician dependent). ASRM age range to be checked against the current ASRM gestational carrier guidance before publishing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the age limit to be a surrogate?

PLS accepts candidates 21 to 43. ASRM guidance allows up to 45, but most clinics prefer under 44.

What BMI do you need to be a surrogate?

A BMI under 33. Most partner clinics will not transfer to a carrier above that threshold because of pregnancy risk.

Do you have to have had a baby to be a surrogate?

Yes. At least one healthy full-term pregnancy and you must be parenting a child now.

Can you be a surrogate if you are on antidepressants?

Not while taking them. PLS requires no current antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication; a history of treated postpartum mood changes is reviewed case by case.

Do surrogates need to live in Illinois?

No. PLS works with surrogates in surrogacy-friendly states across the US; some states are excluded.