WHAT IS A SURROGATE?
A surrogate is a person who carries and gives birth to a baby on behalf of intended parents. There are two types of surrogacy, and the key difference is whose egg is used.
Gestational Surrogacy
The embryo is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using eggs and sperm from the intended parents or donors. The surrogate, also called a gestational carrier, has no genetic connection to the baby. It’s the only kind Growing Generations offers.
Traditional Surrogacy
The surrogate’s own egg is used, which makes her biologically related to the child. Traditional surrogacy is far less common today, now that gestational surrogacy has become the most common arrangement.
Couples Facing Infertility
For many couples, surrogacy offers another route to having children after infertility.
Single Intended Parents
Through surrogacy, individuals can pursue parenthood without a partner.
International Families
Growing Generations has worked with intended parents from 20 countries, connecting surrogates with families around the world.
LGBTQIA+ Individuals and Couples
For same-sex male couples and LGBTQIA+ individuals, surrogacy provides a path to biological parenthood. 55% of Growing Generations’ clients are LGBTQIA+.
Intended Parents with Medical Conditions
Some intended parents turn to surrogacy because their medical history makes carrying a pregnancy unsafe. This includes cancer survivors, people with certain genetic conditions, and others for whom pregnancy poses serious risk.
Couples Facing Infertility
For many couples, surrogacy offers another route to having children after infertility.
Single Intended Parents
Through surrogacy, individuals can pursue parenthood without a partner.
International Families
Growing Generations has worked with intended parents from 20 countries, connecting surrogates with families around the world.
LGBTQIA+ Individuals and Couples
For same-sex male couples and LGBTQIA+ individuals, surrogacy provides a path to biological parenthood. 55% of Growing Generations’ clients are LGBTQIA+.
Intended Parents with Medical Conditions
Some intended parents turn to surrogacy because their medical history makes carrying a pregnancy unsafe. This includes cancer survivors, people with certain genetic conditions, and others for whom pregnancy poses serious risk.
Why Surrogates Choose Growing Generations
Growing Generations accepts the top 2% of surrogate applicants and matches about 150 surrogates with intended parents each year. Here’s what that means for you.
30 Years of Experience
Since 1996, Growing Generations has helped welcome more than 2,400 babies, with a 99.4% surrogacy success rate.
Compensation and Benefits
Competitive compensation and benefits, with $75,000 minimum base pay, plus up to $5,000 in milestone bonuses before transfer.
Personalized Support
A Surrogate Specialist, Case Specialist, and Education and Experience Specialist support you at every stage, start to finish.
We Make Your Well Being a Top Priority.
OUR SURROGATE REQUIREMENTS
To become a surrogate with Growing Generations, you'll need to meet certain health, lifestyle, and financial criteria.
Our surrogate requirements and qualifications include:
Health Requirements
Between the ages of 21-38 years old.
Have had at least one pregnancy and delivery.
Have not had a past occurrence of serious pregnancy complications. Examples include toxemia, pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, incompetent cervix, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. We do not accept surrogates with a history of these complications.
Do not have any health conditions that can be exacerbated by pregnancy.
Have a healthy body mass index (BMI) below 32.
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Lifestyle Requirements
Do not use tobacco and have no exposure to second-hand tobacco use. Surrogate applicants must be tobacco-free for 12 months minimum before applying.
Live in a surrogacy friendly state. If you reside in a state where surrogacy is risky or not legal, Growing Generations will not be able to consider you as a surrogate candidate. These states include Louisiana, Nebraska, and New York.
If you are not a United States citizen, you must have a Green Card that will remain valid for the next three years.
No criminal history. Growing Generations does not accept surrogates who have been convicted of a felony or whose partner has been convicted of a felony.
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Financial Requirements
As part of our commitment to the well-being of both the surrogate and baby, we ensure that all potential surrogates have financial stability. This helps guarantee that the surrogate's personal circumstances won’t add stress to the process, allowing her to focus on her health and the successful completion of the journey.
Surrogacy should not be a sole source of income for anyone interested in becoming a surrogate.
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SURROGATE COMPENSATION
Growing Generations compensates surrogates for their time, commitment, and the physical demands of pregnancy. All surrogates are also eligible for up to $5,000 in milestone bonuses before embryo transfer.
$75,000 minimum base pay
Milestone bonuses
Experienced surrogates
Minimum base compensation for first-time surrogates, with additional compensation and benefits available.
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$1,500 Screening Incentive (when medical clearance is achieved)
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$1,500 Contract Signing Incentive (when legal contracts are complete)
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$2,000 Medical Start Incentive (when the surrogate starts IVF meds)
These bonuses are designed to reward your commitment at key milestones, providing additional financial support before pregnancy begins.
If you've completed a surrogacy before, you're invited to discuss setting your own compensation with us. Many intended parents hope to match with an experienced surrogate.
$75,000 minimum base pay
Minimum base compensation for first-time surrogates, with additional compensation and benefits available.
Milestone bonuses
-
$1,500 Screening Incentive (when medical clearance is achieved)
-
$1,500 Contract Signing Incentive (when legal contracts are complete)
-
$2,000 Medical Start Incentive (when the surrogate starts IVF meds)
These bonuses are designed to reward your commitment at key milestones, providing additional financial support before pregnancy begins.
Experienced surrogates
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If you've completed a surrogacy before, you're invited to discuss setting your own compensation with us. Many intended parents hope to match with an experienced surrogate.
HOW TO BECOME A SURROGATE
From application to delivery, our surrogate process takes about 14 to 18 months. Here's what to expect at each stage.
Take a few minutes to answer questions about your eligibility. If you meet the initial requirements, you’ll be invited to complete the full surrogate application.
Once your application is reviewed, a Surrogate Specialist calls you to discuss your answers and any questions you have. Once your application is approved, you can schedule your consultation.
We hand-pick an intended parent profile based on your preferences and expectations. You review it first, followed by the IVF clinic’s review of your records and the intended parents’ review of your profile. If everyone agrees to proceed, we set up a video match meeting with you and the intended parents.
You'll receive your benefits package and submit the documents needed for screening, which includes a criminal background check, insurance verification, a review of your pregnancy records by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and psychological screening with a mental health professional.
During a 45-minute video call, your Surrogate Specialist explains what surrogacy involves, including screening and the stages ahead. This is your opportunity to ask questions and learn how the process fits into your life.
You'll complete medical screening with the IVF doctor. This usually involves travel, which is covered for you and, if applicable, your partner. After medical clearance, you'll finalize your surrogacy agreement. Legal clearance is required before injectable medications begin.
Your IVF clinic guides transfer preparation and early monitoring. Once care transitions to your local OB, your Case Specialist stays with you through delivery, including milestone calls with your intended parents.
Plan for the birth with the intended parents and your Case Specialist. Your Education and Experience Specialist continues providing support through six to eight weeks postpartum.
STEP 1 - Within minutes
See If You Qualify
STEP 2 - About 1 business day
STEP 3 - Within about a week
Your New Surrogate Consultation
STEP 4 - About 1 month after your consultation (timelines vary)
Prepare for Your Surrogate Match
STEP 5 - About 2.5 months after submitting your paperwork (timelines vary)
Match With Intended Parents
STEP 6 - 3–4 months
Medical screening and legal agreements
STEP 7 - 9–10 months (10–11 with a mock cycle)
Embryo transfer and pregnancy
STEP 8 - 6–8 weeks, without complications
Delivery and recovery
Hear from Our Surrogates
"The thought of surrogacy can be overwhelming, but GG makes everything manageable and exciting. I will never forget my experience with the three families and Growing Generations. I have lifelong memories and a newfound superpower, creating families."
Teri
Surrogate
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Frequently Asked Questions
From application to delivery, the process takes an average of 14–18 months. The survey takes minutes, and matching typically happens about 2.5 months after you submit your paperwork, though timelines vary with your preferences and the intended parents available.
Pregnancy is both physical and emotional, and it's natural for different feelings to come up along the way. Surrogates understand from the beginning that they are carrying a baby with no genetic connection to them who will be raised by the intended parents.
Growing Generations builds emotional support into the surrogate process. Before matching, you complete psychological screening with a mental health professional to help prepare you for the experience ahead. Throughout your surrogacy, you also have support from your Case Specialist and Education and Experience Specialist, along with monthly Surrogate Support Calls and a private Facebook group where you can connect with other surrogates who understand the experience firsthand.
Yes, in most cases. Growing Generations offers reimbursement for your actual lost wages while fulfilling your surrogacy commitments.
Communication is mutually decided during the matching process. Some surrogates and intended parents are in regular contact; others choose more limited communication.
If a miscarriage occurs, your medical care and emotional wellbeing come first. Growing Generations will support you through recovery and connect you with the resources you need. Compensation is handled according to your surrogacy agreement, including any payments or benefits you have already earned.
Not yet. If you have a partner, their full support is required before you can move forward, and they'll take part in some screening steps. Growing Generations helps you and your partner understand what to expect, ask questions, and make the decision together with clear information and ongoing support.
Yes, in most cases a previous C-section does not automatically disqualify you. Growing Generations reviews each applicant’s pregnancy and delivery records individually, and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist reviews your records during screening.
Surrogacy laws vary by state. Growing Generations cannot accept candidates from Louisiana, Nebraska, or New York. For more information, visit our full surrogacy by state guide.
Some benefits may be affected by surrogacy compensation. Growing Generations reviews each applicant’s situation individually.
