Texas Surrogacy Requirements

Key Points

• Texas surrogacy requirements ensure that you are prepared to carry a baby for someone else.
• Requirements include prior successful births, already be raising a child, an age range of 21-40, a healthy BMI, etc.
• Surrogacy requirements in Texas are meant to rule you in rather than out and to protect your safety and the safety of the baby.

Are you thinking about becoming a surrogate in Texas? You may be wondering: Do I meet the eligibility requirements? Who can be a surrogate in Texas? How do I start the process if I do meet those requirements?

First, understand that individual surrogacy professionals are responsible for establishing requirements for surrogates in Texas. While there are Texas surrogacy laws that regulate gestational surrogacy contracts, state laws do not dictate all of the requirements that a potential surrogate must meet. That means that those surrogacy requirements will vary depending on the surrogacy professional you contact.

However, most surrogacy professionals tend to have very similar requirements for surrogates in TX, so the following questions will help provide you with the answers about those common requirements to become a surrogate mother in Texas:

Speak with a specialist today!

Is There an Age Limit to Being a Surrogate in TX?

Many women who are curious about the requirements to become a surrogate in TX often first ask: “How old do you have to be to be a surrogate mother in Texas?”

If you’re generous and loving enough to be willing to give the gift of parenthood to someone, you’re probably excited to start the surrogacy process, but you may have worried if you’re too young or too old to become a surrogate in TX. Understand that the age restrictions for surrogacy in Texas and the U.S.  are there because the physical challenges of pregnancy are extreme, and there is, unfortunately, a limited window of time in which a woman’s body can handle those drastic changes and health risks with relative ease.

The specific age requirement for surrogates in Texas may vary somewhat between individual surrogacy professionals, but most professionals and agencies tend to only work with prospective surrogate mothers who are between 21 and 40 years of age in order to limit the potential for health risks to the surrogate and the baby.

What are the Health Requirements to Be a Surrogate Mother in TX?

Women have many questions about pursuing surrogacy with specific health conditions, and the various health requirements they must meet in order to become a surrogate in TX, like: “Can I be a surrogate if I’ve had pregnancy complications?” “Can I be a surrogate with an STD?” “Is surrogacy after tubal ligation possible?” “Is there a weight requirement to be a surrogate in Texas?” “Is surrogacy without previous pregnancy possible?”

The surrogate health requirements in Texas are rigorous, but this is important to protect surrogates from increased likelihood of health complications as a result of the surrogate pregnancy, protect the intended parents legally and financially and to protect the safety and health of the baby.

The most common health requirements that surrogates in Texas will need to meet include:

• Must have had at least previous birth without any pregnancy complications
• Must not have had more than five previous vaginal deliveries, or three deliveries via cesarean section
• Must be smoke- and drug-free, including free from second-hand smoke exposure
• Must have a BMI range of about 19-33 (calculate your BMI here)

Do you meet the preliminary health criteria to be a surrogate in Texas listed above? Then the next step is to usually proceed to the medical screening process. This is done to verify that you’re healthy enough to undergo the fertility treatments, embryo transfers and other medical procedures associated with the surrogacy process. You can learn more about the specific health requirements to be a surrogate mother in Texas (and whether or not your specific condition would prevent you from becoming a surrogate) here.

What are the Mental and Emotional Requirements for Surrogates in Texas?

Some of the requirements that some women pursuing surrogacy in TX forget to consider are the mental and emotional demands of surrogacy. Then they wonder: “Am I good candidate for surrogacy?” “Can anyone be a surrogate mother in TX?” “Do I have what it takes to be a surrogate in Texas?”

Surrogacy is, of course, physically difficult. But it’s also mentally and emotionally difficult. Pregnancy usually exacts an emotional and mental toll, and a surrogate pregnancy brings unique feelings into the mix.

This is why potential surrogates are psychologically screened in addition to the medical screening. The psychological screening for surrogates in Texas typically involves taking a personality test, talking through potential “what ifs” and how you might feel throughout your surrogacy journey.

Many surrogacy professionals prefer to work with surrogates who are married and raising at least one child at home, so that you have a strong support system at home throughout your surrogate pregnancy. Although it’s not always a strict requirement, a stable support system at home is often one of the key emotional qualifications for being a surrogate in Texas.

Are there Other Requirements for Surrogacy to Consider?

Outside of the age requirements, the health requirements and the emotional requirements to become a surrogate mother in Texas, there are few other requirements for surrogates in Texas. Some women have asked: “Who can be a surrogate? Do I need a car?” “Am I eligible to be a surrogate mother in Texas if I receive state financial assistance?”

Again, the specific TX requirements for surrogates can vary depending on the professional you work with, but most professionals will ask that, in addition to the requirements mentioned above, their potential surrogate:

• Undergo background checks
• Have their spouse confirm their own commitment to the surrogacy process (if applicable)
• Not be receiving any state assistance
• Be a permanent resident of the United States
• Be able to speak English fluently

You’ll need to confirm your ability to support yourself without the assistance of surrogacy compensation in order to become a surrogate in Texas, that you and your whole family are ready and committed to the surrogacy process for about a year, that you and your spouse (if applicable) have no serious criminal records and that you’ll be able to be at every necessary appointment throughout the duration of the surrogacy process.

Becoming a surrogate takes a brave, loving and dedicated woman with a strong support system backing her in her mission! Texas surrogates commit their time, effort, bodies and hearts to a year-long process that ends in something amazing — creating a family for someone. If you meet the qualifications for being a surrogate in TX, contact a surrogacy professional now to learn how to take the next steps in your journey.