Short answer: After you apply to be a surrogate, the team reviews your basic information and contacts you for a conversation. If the first review looks promising, you may be asked for pregnancy records and more details. Full screening and medical clearance come later. An application is not approval, a match, or a legal commitment.
The early goal is simple: decide whether it makes sense to keep exploring. You should learn what information is needed, which concerns require review, and what the next step would ask from you and your family.
Marisol submitted the form. She was not “accepted” five minutes later.
Marisol completed the initial application after her children went to bed. She expected either an instant yes or a long silence. Instead, a coordinator called to confirm her pregnancy history, ask about her schedule, and explain why the clinic would later need records.
One answer needed more detail. Marisol had experienced gestational diabetes in an earlier pregnancy. The coordinator did not promise approval or reject her from one sentence. She explained which records would help the team and clinic understand the history.
The application-to-review path
1. The team checks the basic information
The first review may look at age, state, pregnancy and delivery history, current health, smoking or drug use, medications, recent birth, breastfeeding, and basic support. It may also flag information that is missing or unclear.
This is an early agency review. It is not medical clearance from a fertility clinic.
2. A coordinator contacts you
The coordinator may confirm your answers and ask what led you to consider surrogacy. You can ask about requirements, compensation, privacy, records, screening, travel, matching, and family support.
You should know whether the call is only informational or whether the program is asking you to continue to a fuller intake.
3. You may be asked for records and releases
Pregnancy and delivery records help the review team understand what happened, not only what you remember. You may need to sign a release or request records from an obstetrician, hospital, or other provider.
Ask which records are needed, who receives them, how they are protected, and what happens if a provider is slow to respond. Read our guide to surrogate medical records.
4. The team reviews concerns that need more detail
A C-section, gestational diabetes, postpartum depression, medication, recent delivery, or another health issue may need a closer look. Some concerns lead to a pause. Others are sent to the clinic for a medical decision.
An honest “I do not know” is better than a guess. The record review can supply the missing detail.
5. You learn whether to continue, pause, or stop
The team may invite you to the next stage, ask for more information, suggest waiting, or explain that the program cannot continue. A useful answer should tell you what the decision means and whether it can be reviewed again later.
6. Full screening comes after the early review
A complete process can include medical, psychological, background, legal, and insurance review. The order may vary. Matching may happen before some later clearances, but treatment should not begin until required medical and legal steps are complete.
What to have ready
- Names of the providers and hospitals involved in your pregnancies.
- Approximate dates for pregnancies, births, and major treatment.
- A list of current medicines and the doctors who prescribe them.
- Notes about C-sections, preterm birth, diabetes, blood pressure, or postpartum care.
- Your work, childcare, travel, and support plan.
- Questions you want answered before you share more information.
You do not need to collect every file before the first contact unless the agency asks. Start with accurate provider information. Then follow the record instructions you receive.
What the first review does not mean
- It does not guarantee medical clearance.
- It does not guarantee a match or pregnancy.
- It does not set your final legal or compensation terms.
- It does not require you to continue.
- It does not allow anyone to use your story or image without the right consent.
Privacy questions to ask before sending records
- Which company or person will receive the records?
- Who inside the program can view them?
- Will they be shared with a fertility clinic before a match?
- How should documents be sent?
- How long will the agency keep them if you do not continue?
- Who should you contact to correct or request your information?
Medical information deserves care. Avoid sending detailed records through an unverified personal account or public message. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explains patient privacy rights for covered health-care providers and plans. An agency’s duties may differ, so ask for its privacy practices directly.
Green flags and reasons to slow down
Green flags
- You receive a clear explanation of each review stage.
- The coordinator separates agency review from clinic clearance.
- You are encouraged to correct or add information.
- Privacy and record-sharing questions are answered.
- You can take time before the next step.
- A “not yet” answer includes a reason when possible.
Slow down if
- Approval is promised before records or screening.
- You are told to leave out a condition or medication.
- Sensitive documents are requested through an unclear account.
- You are pushed to accept a match before you understand the process.
- Compensation is used to avoid questions about health or legal review.
Questions women often ask
How long does it take to hear back?
Response time can vary with staffing and the information in the form. Ask when you should follow up and which phone number or email will contact you. Do not assume silence means approval or rejection.
What if I answered something incorrectly?
Tell the coordinator as soon as possible. A corrected answer is safer than trying to protect the first version. Records may also clarify dates or diagnoses you could not remember.
Can I pass the first review and later be declined?
Yes. A full medical, psychological, background, legal, or insurance review may find a concern that the short application could not show. Initial eligibility only means it makes sense to continue the review.
Can I stop after I apply?
Yes. An initial application does not force you to match or complete a journey. Tell the team if you want to pause and ask what happens to the information already submitted.
The best result from an early application is not a fast yes. It is a clear, safe next step.
Review the basic requirements before applying. If you are ready for an initial review, use the surrogate application. If you have a concern you want to discuss first, contact the team.