Apply to Become a Surrogate Mother with BabyTree
If you've ever wondered how to become a surrogate mother, how to be a surrogate mother for someone who can't carry a pregnancy, or whether becoming a surrogate is right for you, BabyTree is here to guide you through every step. As a specialized surrogacy agency, BabyTree focuses on safe, ethical, and well-supported surrogacy services, working closely with gestational surrogates, intended parents, medical teams, and attorneys to create a smooth and transparent surrogate journey from start to finish.
BabyTree's mission is to help intended parents grow their families while empowering women who choose to become a surrogate — making sure everyone involved feels informed, respected, and protected. From your first question to postpartum recovery, you'll have a dedicated coordinator, access to independent legal counsel and mental health professionals, and round-the-clock support so you can focus on a healthy pregnancy while we take care of the logistics.
How to Become a Surrogate with BabyTree
Five phases, on average 12–18 months from application to postpartum. Application to matching usually takes 1–4 months, matching to embryo transfer about 2–4 months, followed by the 9-month pregnancy.
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Phase 1
Apply
Complete the surrogate application. We review your medical history, prior pregnancies, lifestyle, and goals — and a coordinator reaches out within a few business days to talk through next steps.
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Phase 2
Screen
Medical records review, in-person physical, and independent psychological screening confirm that pregnancy and surrogacy are a healthy choice for you right now.
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Phase 3
Match
Once cleared, we present you to compatible intended parents. Matching is two-way: you choose, they choose, and we only move forward when both sides feel right.
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Phase 4
Medical & legal
Independent attorneys (paid by the intended parents) walk you through the surrogacy contract, then the fertility clinic begins your transfer protocol.
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Phase 5
Pregnancy support
Throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery you have a dedicated coordinator, mental-health support, and 24/7 access to the BabyTree team.
Why Become a Gestational Surrogate with BabyTree?
Beyond compensation, surrogates choose BabyTree for these structural reasons:
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Transparent compensation
Base pay plus monthly allowance, transfer fee, medical procedure, and bedrest coverage — all spelled out in your contract before you begin.
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Help a family grow
You help intended parents — couples facing infertility, LGBTQ+ families, single parents — finally meet the child they've been waiting for.
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Excellent medical care
Top California fertility clinics, OB/GYN partners, and medications fully covered by intended parents through your contract.
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Coordinator & 24/7 support
A dedicated coordinator stays with you from intake through postpartum, with independent legal counsel and mental-health support included.
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Lifelong meaning
Many BabyTree surrogates describe this as one of the most meaningful chapters of their lives — and stay connected to the families they help.
Who Can Become a Gestational Surrogate with BabyTree?
BabyTree has clear surrogate qualifications in California to protect your health and ensure the best possible outcome. In most cases, you'll need to be around 21–40 years old, in good overall health with a clinic-approved BMI, and free of serious medical conditions that could complicate pregnancy. You should have at least one prior full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, with no major pregnancy or birth complications, and be a non-smoker who does not use illicit drugs or abuse alcohol. Stable living conditions, reliable transportation, and the ability to attend regular medical appointments are also important.
Because surrogacy laws vary by state, BabyTree mainly works with women in surrogacy-friendly states such as California who meet residency or citizenship requirements. Equally important is emotional readiness: when becoming a surrogate mother, you'll need emotional stability, a strong support system, and a clear understanding that your role is to help intended parents have a child, not to become a parent yourself. Psychological screening is part of the surrogacy process to confirm that becoming a gestational surrogate is a healthy choice for you right now.
See full Surrogate Requirements →How Much Do Surrogates Get Paid with BabyTree?
Surrogate compensation in California with BabyTree is fair, transparent, and comprehensive. Your base compensation depends on your location, whether you're a first-time or experienced gestational surrogate, and the details of the surrogate program. BabyTree explains how pay is calculated so you know what to expect, and you may also receive extras such as a monthly allowance for incidentals, an embryo transfer fee, compensation for certain medical procedures (like a C-section or other agreed-upon interventions), and bedrest pay if ordered by your doctor.
You should never pay out of pocket to become a surrogate. Intended parents usually cover all pregnancy-related medical expenses, necessary travel for appointments or embryo transfer, your independent legal fees, and certain health insurance costs. Before you move forward, you'll sign legal contracts that spell out when and how compensation is paid, which expenses are covered, and how special situations are handled.
See Surrogate Compensation →
Why surrogates trust the BabyTree process
Three structural commitments that separate BabyTree from agencies that rely on remote checklists and revolving coordinators.
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In-person screening
We don't pre-qualify by checkbox
Every BabyTree surrogate is met in person, with full medical records review, OB clearance, and an independent psychological evaluation before matching begins.
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Coordinator continuity
One coordinator, start to finish
The coordinator who takes your first call is the same person walking you through delivery and postpartum recovery — not a queue, not a handoff.
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Medical network
California fertility & OB partners
BabyTree works with established California IVF clinics and OB/GYN practices, and intended parents cover all medical costs through your contract.
How to Become a Surrogate — FAQ
Common questions from women considering surrogacy with BabyTree. Tap a question to expand the answer.
How are surrogates matched with intended parents?
What tests and evaluations must I complete to qualify?
How long does the entire surrogacy journey usually take?
How is surrogate pay calculated and distributed?
What should I know about surrogacy laws in California?
What health or emotional challenges should I consider?
How are traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy different?
Can I carry a baby for a friend or family member through BabyTree?
What do surrogates typically feel after the baby is born?
What level of compensation can I expect as a surrogate?
Ready to start your surrogate journey?
Apply today and a dedicated coordinator will reach out within a few business days to walk you through the next step — there's no obligation, and you can ask anything.