Becoming a surrogate in Illinois is one of the most meaningful ways to help create families while earning substantial compensation for your commitment. The process involves carrying a pregnancy for intended parents who can’t conceive or carry a baby themselves.
Ready to learn more about this life-changing opportunity? Talk to a specialist today who can guide you through the process of becoming a surrogate in Illinois.
Illinois offers excellent legal protections for surrogates, comprehensive medical support, and access to some of the nation’s best fertility clinics. You’ll go through medical and psychological screening, work with experienced professionals throughout the process, and receive ongoing support from agencies that understand the unique aspects of surrogacy.
What does it mean to be a Surrogate in Illinois?
Being a surrogate in Illinois means you’re making one of the most significant and generous decisions possible—helping intended parents achieve their dream of having a family. This isn’t a decision to take lightly, and it’s completely normal to have questions, concerns, and mixed emotions as you consider this path.
Understanding gestational surrogacy is crucial—this is what virtually all surrogacy in Illinois involves. You’ll carry an embryo created from the intended parents’ genetic material (or donor materials) through IVF. There’s no genetic connection between you and the baby, which simplifies both the emotional and legal aspects significantly. You’re providing the incredible gift of carrying someone else’s baby to term.
Common misconceptions to dispel:
- You won’t be “giving up your baby”—you’re carrying someone else’s baby for them
- Surrogacy isn’t about desperation or financial hardship—it’s about generosity and helping others
- You won’t lose your autonomy—you maintain medical decision-making rights throughout pregnancy
- This isn’t experimental or risky—gestational surrogacy is well-established with excellent safety records
How to be a Surrogate: 7 Steps
Step 1: The Requirements
Before applying to become a surrogate, you will need to see if you meet the basic requirements first. The requirements include:
- Between 21-45 years old (most agencies prefer 25-40)
- Having completed at least one successful pregnancy
- Maintaining a healthy BMI between 19-32
- Non-smoker for at least 12 months
- Having completed your own family
- You’ll also need to be financially stable and have a strong support system
Review detailed surrogate mother requirements to ensure you qualify.
Step 2: The Screening Process
The screening process includes:
- Medical evaluations with reproductive specialists
- Psychological assessments to ensure emotional readiness
- Background checks and financial verification
- Detailed interviews about your motivations and expectations.
This typically takes 2-3 months and ensures you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. Learn about what are the requirements to become a surrogate for complete details.
Step 3: Choose the Right Agency in Illinois
Choosing the right agency is crucial for your protection and success. While independent surrogacy exists, agency representation provides
- Legal advocacy, medical coordination
- Fair compensation packages
- Ongoing support throughout your journey
Quality agencies ensure you have independent legal representation and comprehensive insurance coverage. Consider the importance of professional support when getting started with surrogacy and review agency options carefully.
Step 4: Match with Intended Parents
The matching process involves:
- Reviewing profiles of intended parents
- Having initial meetings to assess compatibility
- Discussing expectations for communication and involvement
- Establish the relationship framework for your journey together
This process can take 1-4 months, depending on your preferences and the availability of compatible intended parents. Learn about how to find intended parents and questions to ask intended parents during this phase.
Step 5: Complete Legal Contracts
Once you are matched, you’ll work with independent attorneys to review and negotiate your surrogacy contract. Your attorney (separate from the intended parents’ attorney) will ensure your rights are protected, compensation is fair, and all terms are clearly defined. This legal phase typically takes 1-2 months and includes establishing pre-birth orders that clarify parental rights.
Step 6: Begin the Medical Process
After legal clearance, you’ll start the surrogacy medical process with hormone medications to prepare your body for embryo transfer. This includes:
- Regular monitoring appointments
- The embryo transfer procedure itself
- Early pregnancy monitoring.
Understanding surrogacy medications and maintaining a healthy surrogate pregnancy helps you prepare for this phase.
Step 7: Pregnancy, Delivery, and Completion
Once pregnant, you’ll receive excellent prenatal care while maintaining regular communication with intended parents and your support team. The pregnancy typically progresses like any other, with additional coordination between parties. After delivery, the intended parents take their baby home, and you’ll complete your recovery with continued support from your agency team.
Understanding what it’s like to be a surrogate mother and the pros and cons of becoming a surrogate helps you make an informed decision about this significant commitment.
Do Surrogates Receive Compensation in Illinois?
Surrogate compensation in Illinois is substantial and reflects the significant commitment you’re making. First-time surrogates typically earn $50,000-60,000, while experienced surrogates can earn $60,000-70,000 or more. But that’s just base compensation—total packages often exceed $70,000-80,000 when including monthly allowances, medical expenses, and additional payments.
What’s included in Illinois surrogate compensation:
- Base compensation paid monthly throughout pregnancy
- Monthly allowances for pregnancy-related expenses ($200-300)
- Maternity clothing allowance ($500-1,000)
- All medical expenses covered by intended parents
- Additional payments for multiples, C-sections, or complications
- Travel expenses for all medical appointments
Illinois Compensation Advantages
Illinois’s proximity to major metropolitan areas and excellent medical facilities makes it attractive for intended parents, which translates to competitive compensation rates for surrogates. The state’s legal framework also ensures fair payment structures and comprehensive financial protections.
Understanding how much surrogates get paid and first-time vs repeat surrogate compensation helps you understand the full financial picture.
Are you Emotionally Ready to Be a Surrogate in Illinois?
Acknowledging your feelings about becoming a surrogate is crucial—this decision involves complex emotions that deserve honest consideration. It’s completely normal to feel excited, nervous, curious, and uncertain all at the same time. These mixed feelings show you’re approaching this decision thoughtfully.
What Surrogates Experience Emotionally
Most surrogates describe feeling proud and purposeful throughout their journey, knowing they’re helping create families for people who desperately want children.
You’ll likely feel protective and caring toward the pregnancy while maintaining clarity that you’re helping someone else’s baby grow. Many surrogates also feel supported and valued by their intended parents and agency teams.
Common emotional experiences include:
- Deep satisfaction from helping others achieve their dreams
- Pride in your body’s ability to help create life
- Excitement watching intended parents experience pregnancy milestones
- Occasional pregnancy hormones that intensify emotions temporarily
- Strong sense of accomplishment at delivery watching families meet their babies
Surrogates are heroes who give intended parents the ultimate gift—the opportunity to become parents. Your decision to carry someone else’s baby represents one of the most generous acts possible. You’re not just helping create a baby; you’re helping create a family, fulfill dreams, and bring incredible joy to people who may have struggled with infertility for years.
Emotional Support throughout Your Journey
Quality agencies provide counseling services, support groups with other surrogates, 24/7 availability for questions and concerns, and guidance through any challenging emotions that arise. You’ll also have the support of intended parents who understand the incredible gift you’re providing.
Resources like American Surrogacy’s emotional insights and preparation guidance help you understand and prepare for the emotional aspects of this journey.
Taking the Next Step
Your next actions: Research quality agencies that serve Illinois and prioritize surrogate support, complete initial applications to begin the screening process, attend informational sessions or consultations to learn more, and connect with other surrogates to hear about their experiences.
Ready to explore this incredible opportunity? You can watch real surrogacy journeys, hear surrogate testimonials, and learn about why surrogates choose this path.
If you have more questions about the surrogacy journey, we can connect you to a specialist who understands both the practical and emotional aspects of this incredible opportunity to help create families.