Curious about whether you’d qualify to become a surrogate in California? Honestly, that’s exactly the right place to start. Requirements can feel intimidating when you don’t know what they are, but here’s the thing: most of the surrogate requirements in California are designed to protect your health and ensure successful outcomes, not to exclude people.
What Does It Actually Take to Be a Surrogate in California?
The reality is that if you’re a healthy woman who’s had a successful pregnancy before, you probably meet more of the requirements than you think. California agencies aren’t looking for perfect people—they’re looking for responsible women who can safely carry a pregnancy and are emotionally prepared for the journey.
Let’s walk through exactly what the requirements to be a surrogate in California actually involve, because once you understand the “why” behind each requirement, they’ll make a lot more sense.
Ready to see if you qualify? Get a personalized qualification assessment based on your specific situation.
“Am I the Right Age to Be a Surrogate?”
This is usually the first question people ask, and for good reason—age requirements are pretty straightforward and non-negotiable. So what are the surrogate age requirements in California?
Most California agencies require surrogates to be between 21-40 years old, though some programs extend the upper age limit to 42-45 for qualified surrogates. But here’s what those numbers actually mean for you:
Why 21 minimum? It’s not arbitrary—this ensures you’re legally an adult and have had time to complete your own family planning. At 21, you can make fully informed decisions about pregnancy and understand the long-term implications.
Why the upper age limits? Pregnancy risks increase with age, and agencies want to ensure the safest possible outcomes for both you and the baby. But don’t panic if you’re approaching the upper limits—many programs make exceptions for healthy women with great pregnancy histories.
Are you close to an age cutoff? Don’t automatically rule yourself out. Every program is different, and your overall health and pregnancy history matter more than your exact age.
“What About My Weight? Will My BMI Disqualify Me?”
Let’s talk honestly about something that causes a lot of anxiety: BMI requirements. Most California programs require a BMI between 18.5-32, but before you start panicking about numbers, let’s discuss what this actually means.
Why do surrogate BMI requirements exist in California?
- Pregnancy complications increase with very low or very high BMI
- Fertility treatments work more effectively within certain BMI ranges
- Insurance companies often have BMI requirements for coverage
But here’s what’s important to understand: BMI is just one factor, and it’s not the whole picture. Agencies look at your overall health, fitness level, and pregnancy history. A woman with a slightly higher BMI who exercises regularly and has had healthy pregnancies might be approved, while someone with a “perfect” BMI but other health issues might not.
What if your BMI is borderline? Many women successfully adjust their BMI before applying. California agencies often work with potential surrogates who are close to the range, providing guidance and support to help you qualify.
The key is being honest about where you are and willing to work toward the requirements if needed.
“Do I Need to Have Been Pregnant Before?”
Yes—and here’s why this requirement to be a surrogate in California makes complete sense. All California surrogate programs require that you’ve had at least one successful pregnancy and delivery. But let’s break down what “successful” actually means.
What qualifies as a successful pregnancy:
- Full-term delivery (typically 37+ weeks)
- Relatively uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery
- Healthy baby at birth
- Your own pregnancy experience, not surrogacy
What this requirement tells agencies:
- Your body can successfully carry a pregnancy
- You understand what pregnancy involves physically and emotionally
- You’ve experienced the challenges and joys of pregnancy firsthand
- You can make informed decisions about carrying someone else’s baby
Common questions about pregnancy history:
- C-section delivery? Usually fine, especially if it was planned or for reasons unrelated to pregnancy complications
- Pregnancy complications? Depends on the specific issues—many complications don’t disqualify you
- Multiple pregnancies? Actually often preferred, as it demonstrates your body handles pregnancy well
“What if I’m Currently Pregnant or Just Had a Baby?”
Great question—and the timing really matters. Most California programs require that you’re not currently pregnant and that some time has passed since your last delivery. But how much time?
Typical timing requirements:
- At least 6-12 months since your last delivery (varies by program)
- Fully recovered from pregnancy and delivery
- Not currently breastfeeding (or willing to wean before starting)
- Not planning additional pregnancies for your own family
Why these timing requirements exist:
- Your body needs time to fully recover between pregnancies
- Hormone levels need to normalize for fertility treatments
- You need emotional space to separate your own pregnancy experience from surrogacy
What if you’re still nursing? Some programs are flexible about breastfeeding timelines, especially if you’re open to weaning when medical protocols begin. Others prefer that you’ve already finished nursing.
Planning another baby for yourself? Most agencies prefer that you’ve completed your own family, but some will work with you if you’re certain about your family planning timeline.
“Are There Mental Health Requirements I Need to Worry About?”
Let’s address the psychological side of surrogate requirements in California—because this is where a lot of people get nervous unnecessarily. Yes, you’ll have a psychological evaluation, but it’s not designed to exclude you.
What the psychological screening actually involves:
- Meeting with a licensed mental health professional
- Discussion about your motivations for surrogacy
- Assessment of your support systems and coping strategies
- Review of your understanding of the surrogacy process
- Sometimes psychological testing
What they’re actually looking for:
- Realistic expectations about surrogacy
- Strong emotional support from family/friends
- Healthy coping strategies for stress
- Clear understanding of the commitment involved
- Stable mental health (not perfection!)
What won’t disqualify you:
- Past therapy or counseling (often seen as positive!)
- Normal anxiety about the process
- Questions or concerns about surrogacy
- Taking medication for well-controlled conditions
Have a history of depression or anxiety? Don’t assume you’re disqualified. Well-managed mental health conditions usually aren’t barriers, especially if you’re stable and have good support systems.
“What About My Lifestyle? Will That Be a Problem?”
Now let’s talk about the lifestyle factors that are part of surrogate requirements in California. These aren’t about judging your choices—they’re about ensuring the healthiest possible pregnancy.
Substance use requirements:
- Smoking: Must be tobacco-free (some programs require 6-12 months smoke-free)
- Alcohol: No alcohol dependency; moderate social drinking usually okay
- Illegal drugs: Must be drug-free with clean drug screening
- Prescription medications: Case-by-case basis depending on medications
Lifestyle stability factors:
- Housing: Stable living situation (doesn’t have to be owned)
- Relationships: Supportive partner/family (single women absolutely welcome!)
- Financial independence: Not receiving government assistance (shows stability, not wealth requirements)
What about social drinking? Most programs are realistic about moderate alcohol consumption, but you’ll need to abstain completely during pregnancy protocols and pregnancy.
Prescription medications? Don’t panic—many medications are compatible with pregnancy. The key is being upfront about what you take so medical teams can assess safety.
“What Might Actually Disqualify Me?”
Okay, let’s have an honest conversation about what disqualifies you from being a surrogate in California. Because while most women who are considering surrogacy do qualify, there are some factors that agencies can’t work around.
Health factors that typically disqualify:
- History of pregnancy complications that could recur
- Certain chronic health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders—though case-by-case)
- BMI significantly outside the acceptable range with health complications
- Active substance abuse or recent history of addiction
Lifestyle factors that are usually disqualifying:
- Unstable housing or living situations
- Active involvement in illegal activities
- Unwilling to follow medical protocols during pregnancy
- Partner or family strongly opposed to surrogacy
Legal/background factors:
- Certain criminal histories (varies by program and circumstances)
- Immigration status issues (programs vary on requirements)
But here’s the important part: Even if you have concerns about potential disqualifying factors, it’s worth having an honest conversation with agencies. Many factors aren’t automatically disqualifying, and programs often work with women who are close to meeting requirements.
“What’s the Application Process Actually Like?”
So you’re wondering about the surrogate application process in California and what verification of requirements actually involves? Let’s walk through what you can expect step-by-step.
Phase 1: Initial Application (Usually Online)
- Basic demographic and health information
- Pregnancy history details
- Lifestyle and background questions
- Initial qualification screening
Phase 2: Detailed Review
- Complete medical records from previous pregnancies
- Current physical exam and health screening
- Psychological evaluation
- Background checks
- Reference checks
Phase 3: Final Approval
- Medical team review of all records
- Agency interview or consultation
- Final qualification determination
- Contract and matching process begins
Timeline expectations: The process typically takes 4-8 weeks, depending on how quickly you can gather medical records and complete evaluations.
What if you don’t qualify initially? Many programs provide guidance on steps you can take to become eligible. Whether it’s adjusting BMI, allowing more time since your last pregnancy, or addressing other factors, agencies often work with motivated candidates.
“Am I Ready to Find Out if I Qualify?”
The best way to know if you meet the surrogate requirements in California is to connect with experienced agencies who can review your specific situation. Every potential surrogate’s circumstances are unique, and you deserve honest, personalized guidance about your eligibility.
Here’s what we want you to remember:
- Most requirements exist to protect your health and ensure successful outcomes
- Many factors that worry people aren’t automatically disqualifying
- Agencies often work with candidates who are close to meeting requirements
- Every program is slightly different, so one “no” doesn’t mean universal rejection
Find out if you qualify to be a California surrogate with a free, no-obligation consultation that reviews your individual situation.