Becoming a surrogate is a significant decision, and being matched with the right family takes mutual fit. Below are the requirements we screen for — followed by a 60-second self-check so you know where you stand before applying.
Surrogate satisfaction with CBS support — based on internal post-journey survey.
Answer 5 questions to see if you likely meet our baseline criteria. Your answers are not saved. The full application has additional medical and psychological screening.
Are you between 21 and 40 years old?
Age range required by California IVF clinics and insurance.
Have you had at least one healthy pregnancy and delivery?
Required to predict outcomes and ensure your safety.
Are you raising at least one child in your home?
Critical for emotional readiness and medical predictability.
Are you a US citizen or permanent resident?
Required for legal parentage and insurance eligibility.
Are you non-smoker, drug-free, with stable housing and income?
BMI under 32 also required for IVF cycle safety.
These are the requirements you'll be assessed against in the full application. Some have flexibility on a case-by-case basis — discussed in your initial intake call.
Physical and reproductive health baseline.
Prior pregnancies as a predictor.
Daily life supports a healthy pregnancy.
Required for legal parentage and safety.
We'd rather tell you now than have you spend time on an application that won't move forward. Below are firm disqualifiers we cannot work around.
Acceptance rate
Of the surrogate candidates who apply each year, roughly 3% are matched with a family. This isn't gatekeeping for its own sake — surrogacy is medically demanding, emotionally complex, and life-altering for both you and the family. A wrong match hurts everyone.
Our screening protects you: from medical risk you didn't know you had, from a family that isn't right for you, from being approved on day one and discovered unfit on day 90. We say no to most applicants because we say yes for real.
If you're not approved this round but want to be, we'll tell you exactly why and what would change that.
The full application takes about 30 minutes online. A coordinator reviews within 5 business days and reaches out — whether that's an intake call or honest feedback on fit.
