Surrogacy is a meaningful journey for both surrogates and intended parents. As a first-time surrogate, knowing what happens next makes the process far less uncertain. The whole journey typically takes anywhere from one year to over two years, and every journey is different.
How long does the surrogacy process take?
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Research and choosing a surrogacy agency | 1–3 months |
| Application | 1 week |
| Consultation and screening | 2–4 weeks |
| Matching | 2 weeks–18 months |
| Medical and legal clearance | 1–3 months |
| Medical preparation and embryo transfer | 1–2 months |
| Pregnancy and delivery | About 9 months |
Step 1: Understand the requirements
Royal Surrogacy requires surrogates to:
- Have completed at least one full-term, healthy pregnancy
- Be raising at least one child
- Be between 21 and 36 years old
- Have a BMI under 32
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with documentation for at least two years
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Live in a surrogacy-friendly U.S. state
- Be a non-smoker in excellent health
- Have no history of alcohol or substance abuse
- Have a strong support system
- Be comfortable traveling to fertility clinics for IVF
- Be willing to share medical history and complete screening
See the full requirements.
Step 2: Research and choose an agency (1–3 months)
A reputable agency guides you through matching, legal parentage and ongoing support. Compare agencies on support and communication, how matching works, compensation and benefits, and the relationships they build between surrogates and intended parents.
Step 3: Apply (1 week)
The application covers basic personal information, pregnancy history, lifestyle and initial medical records. Royal’s application takes about 20 minutes.
Step 4: Consultation and screening (2–4 weeks)
Screening confirms physical, emotional and medical readiness: medical record review, psychological evaluation, background checks and a fertility clinic assessment.
Step 5: Matching (2 weeks–18 months)
Surrogates and intended parents are paired on preferences, communication style, values and logistics. At Royal, matches can happen in as little as two weeks.
Step 6: Medical clearance (4–6 weeks)
An IVF clinic visit for screening, a review of your records, bloodwork and ultrasounds, and final approval from the medical team.
Step 7: Legal clearance (2–4 weeks)
The contract covers compensation and benefits, pregnancy expectations, delivery plans and legal parentage. Each party has independent legal counsel. Read how surrogacy contracts work.
Step 8: Medical preparation and embryo transfer (5–8 weeks)
Hormonal medications, monitoring appointments and final screening prepare your body for transfer. This usually takes 5–8 weeks and can range from 1 to 3 months.
Step 9: Pregnancy and prenatal care (40 weeks)
A pregnancy test about two weeks after transfer confirms the result; more than one transfer is sometimes needed. Prenatal care then includes routine appointments, communication with the intended parents, a shared birth plan, and support from your agency. The first ultrasound happens 6–10 weeks in.
Step 10: Delivery and legal finalization
The intended parents welcome their baby at delivery, as agreed. Legal parentage is finalized if it wasn’t completed before birth, and you receive continued support during recovery.
Why women become surrogates
- The desire to help others become parents
- A sense of purpose and fulfillment
- Financial compensation and stability
- Being part of a meaningful, life-changing experience
Many surrogates describe it as one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. Ready to start? Apply to become a surrogate.