The surrogate screening process: a guide for agencies
Screening protects everyone in the journey. Here is the usual order, and what an agency should track at each step.
Short answer: Agencies screen surrogates in stages: an application that checks the basic qualifications (age, BMI, at least one healthy pregnancy and delivery, non-smoking, stable home), then an intake call, prior pregnancy and medical records, a background check for her and her partner, a home visit or interview, a psychological evaluation, and finally medical screening at the IVF clinic.
1. The application
A good application asks the disqualifying questions early, so applicants who do not qualify find out quickly and kindly, and coordinators spend their time on those who do. Typical guidelines follow the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommendations, plus each agency's own rules.
2. The intake call
A coordinator talks through the journey, answers questions and confirms the application. This is often where an applicant decides whether surrogacy is right for her family.
3. Records and background checks
Prior pregnancy and delivery records are requested, and background checks run for the surrogate and any adult in her household.
4. Psychological and medical screening
Usually once she is matched: a psychological evaluation, then medical screening by the intended parents' IVF clinic.
What to track
- Where each applicant is, and what she is waiting on.
- Which answers flagged her, and why.
- Every record requested and received.
- Where she heard about you, so you know which recruiting brings qualified surrogates.
How SurroHub helps
- Applications with flags: mark any answer as a red, orange or yellow flag in the form builder; a red flag shows a kind not-qualified page at submit, and orange and yellow flags show on her profile for a coordinator to review.
- Stages and sub-steps on every surrogate profile, with a checklist and documents in one place.
- Messages and reminders go out on their own as she moves through each step, in her own language.
- Source tracking shows which ads, recruiters and referrals bring surrogates who actually qualify.
See SurroHub for yourself
Surrogacy and egg donor agency software: one place for surrogates, intended parents, egg donors and matches, with branded portals and a built-in AI assistant.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic requirements to be a surrogate?
Most agencies follow ASRM guidance: typically aged about 21 to 40, a healthy BMI, at least one healthy pregnancy and delivery, no smoking or drug use, and a stable, supportive home. Each agency sets its own exact rules.
How long does surrogate screening take?
Often several weeks to a few months, mostly waiting on records, background checks and clinic appointments.
Can software screen surrogate applications automatically?
It can sort them. In SurroHub, answers you mark as red flags show a not-qualified page at submit, and orange and yellow flags show on the profile for a coordinator to review.