What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is when a woman — the surrogate — carries and delivers a baby for someone else, the intended parent(s), who will raise the child. It's a path to parenthood used by people facing infertility, same-sex couples, single parents by choice, and anyone else for whom pregnancy isn't possible or advisable.
What are the two types of surrogacy?
Today, almost all surrogacy arrangements are : the surrogate carries a baby she has no genetic connection to. An embryo, created using the intended parent(s)' egg/sperm or donor egg/sperm, is transferred into her uterus.
The other type, , uses the surrogate's own egg — which means she's genetically related to the baby. It's far less common today and generally involves more legal complexity.
Who is surrogacy for?
- Intended parents facing infertility or medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe
- Same-sex couples building a family
- Single parents by choice
- Anyone else for whom carrying a pregnancy isn't an option
Who can become a surrogate?
Requirements vary by agency and clinic, but most look for someone who:
- Has already had at least one healthy pregnancy and delivery of her own
- Is within a certain age range (commonly 21–40)
- Passes a medical and psychological screening
- Has a stable living situation and support system
What does the journey generally look like, at a high level?
- Matching — a surrogate and find and choose each other
- Screening — medical and psychological evaluations
- Legal agreements — a written gestational carrier agreement, each party with their own attorney
- Medical process — embryo transfer and pregnancy
- Parentage and birth — legal parentage is established, and the baby is born
See the full process breakdown for a more detailed walkthrough of each stage, including typical timelines.
Where should I start?
- If you're weighing whether surrogacy is right for you, start with the process overview to understand the full journey
- If you want to understand your state's specific legal landscape, see the state legal guide
- If cost is your biggest question, see the cost calculator
This isn't legal, medical, or financial advice — it's meant to help you understand the basics before you start asking more specific questions.