Your guide to surrogacy screening
Your surrogacy journey begins with more than just paperwork. We start by forming a connection. At Heartland Surrogacy, screening is our chance to hear your story, learn your hopes, and make sure you feel ready and supported. Whether you are an intended parent or a gestational carrier, this step creates the foundation of trust and care that will carry us forward together.
We want your surrogacy experience to be safe, positive, and successful. That is why our agency works with people who are both trustworthy and ready for the path ahead. Our screening process is tailored to each role, guiding intended parents (IPs) and gestational carriers (GCs) through thoughtful steps that help ensure confidence, clarity, and peace of mind from the very start.
Screening may feel like a big step, but it is designed to set you up for success. Each part of the process gives us a clearer picture of your needs, goals, and readiness. It will also give you the chance to ask questions and feel confident about moving forward. Let’s take a closer look at what screening involves for intended parents and gestational carriers.
Intended Parent Screening
For IPs, screening begins with a simple but important step: sharing your story with us. In the application, you provide details about your family life, medical background, employment, criminal history, and expectations for the journey. This information helps us understand your unique situation and start building a safe, well-matched, and positive surrogacy experience for everyone involved.
Getting to Know the Intended Parent(s)
After we review your application, we will invite you to an intake meeting with a member of our team. This conversation is our chance to learn more about your goals, expectations, and any medical history that could affect your journey. We will also go over anticipated costs in detail, including what payments will be needed and when.
This meeting is also your opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the process. We will share as much information as possible, including the type of support you can expect and what each stage of the journey will look like. After the meeting, our team will review what you have shared and let you know if we need any additional details. We will then move forward with background checks, which include screening for criminal history and verifying your social security number(s).
Intended Parent Psychological Consultation
As part of the screening process, we require all IPs to complete a psychological consultation. If your fertility clinic does not provide this service, we can refer you to a trusted mental health provider. This is a consultation, not an evaluation, and it is not meant to determine whether you are suitable for parenthood. We believe it would be unfair to hold IPs to a different standard than parents who do not face fertility challenges.
Instead, this meeting gives you the opportunity to talk with a mental health professional about the emotions and risks that may be part of the surrogacy process. You will be able to share any concerns, ask questions, and receive guidance to help you feel prepared and confident for the journey ahead.
Surrogate Screening Process
Making sure you are qualified to be a GC takes teamwork. You, our agency, and trusted providers all play a role. At Heartland Surrogacy, you will complete a two-part screening process. Each step confirms that you are ready physically, emotionally, and logistically for the journey. We want you to feel supported while protecting the safety and success of the experience for everyone involved.
Agency Pre-screening
The first step in screening is getting to know you as a GC applicant. Before matching, we collect personal and medical information from you and your healthcare providers. You will start with the intake form on our website. If you meet our basic qualifications, you can then move forward to the full application in our online portal.
Once your application is complete, we will schedule an interview. This is our chance to learn more about you and make sure our agency is the right fit for you. It is also your time to ask questions, share any concerns, and learn more about what it is like to work with us.
At Heartland Surrogacy, we value honesty and transparency. We share both the rewarding and the more challenging parts of the surrogacy journey. This is never to discourage you, but to make sure the path feels right for you. If you decide early on that surrogacy is not the best fit, it means you have made an informed choice. Our goal is for you to feel supported, respected, and fully informed from the very beginning.
After the interview, we move to the next steps. These include reviewing your medical records, running a criminal background check, verifying your social security number, and completing a home study. The home study allows us to meet your family and confirm that your home is safe and suitable for the journey ahead.
Medical Screening for Surrogates
The second part of your screening happens after you are matched. It is tailored to the requirements of the IPs’ fertility clinic. At this stage, we help arrange your psychological screening. This includes a one-on-one interview with a mental health professional and a standardized personality assessment. Doing this after matching allows you to discuss topics specific to your match.
The final step is your medical evaluation. This includes a physical exam, bloodwork for you (and your partner, if you have one), and an assessment of your uterine cavity. The doctor will review the results of your exam and ultrasound during your visit. Bloodwork results usually take about a week.
If everything looks good, you are officially cleared. From there, you are ready to complete the legal agreement with your IP(s).
Surrogacy Agency Services
Thorough screening of both surrogates and IPs is essential for a successful surrogacy journey. It is one of the most important responsibilities a surrogacy agency can fulfill. When you match through Heartland, you can trust our process. We handle the details so you can focus on the experience. Your role is to embrace the journey and enjoy each step.
Connect with our team today to get started as a Heartland surrogate or intended parent.