A gestational surrogate (aka gestational carrier) is a woman who carries and delivers a child for another person(s) and is not the biological mother of the child they carry. In this article we’ll explore everything there is to know about gestational surrogates from how to find one, how to be one, how much they make/cost, and more.
Technically, the question should really be, “what’s the difference between a surrogate, a gestational surrogate, and a traditional surrogate.” In this article, we’ll explore just that.
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is NOT the biological mother of the child they carry and deliver. Because of this, gestational surrogacy is widely regarded as the most ethical form of surrogacy and is by far the most common form of surrogacy practiced today.
Being a gestational surrogate is a big commitment with much at stake. Because of that, there are a number of things that disqualify you from being a surrogate.
Surrogates play an important and honorable role in carrying a child for another couple or individual in need. As such, they are compensated generously. This article breaks down everything you need to know about surrogate pay.
Surrogacy is a beautiful but often intimidating process. No matter where you are in exploring the possibility of growing your family or becoming a surrogate, we are here to help!
Affiliate earnings vary based on the number of surrogates you refer and how far each referral progresses. Affiliates can earn $2,000–$3,000 per qualified surrogate, depending on their referral tier, plus annual milestone bonuses, cultural match bonuses, and optional raffle or giveaway prizes. There is no cap on how much you can earn.
Not every applicant will meet the medical, legal, or lifestyle requirements to become a surrogate. If a referral does not qualify or chooses not to move forward, there is no penalty to you as the affiliate. Compensation is paid only for qualified surrogates who progress to the applicable milestones.
Yes. Anyone may apply to become an affiliate. Acceptance into the Surrogate Steps Affiliate Program is subject to review and approval so we can issue a dedicated referral link, provide program access, and ensure referrals are properly tracked and credited.
All affiliate commissions, bonuses, and prizes are paid within 30 days of the applicable milestone being met, including clearance for embryo transfer, pregnancy, annual referral milestones, qualifying cultural match referrals, and raffle or giveaway awards.
Referrals are tracked through your unique affiliate link once you are approved, which is the most reliable way to ensure proper tracking. Applicants may also list your name on the initial application as their referrer. Using your link or being named on the application allows Surrogate Steps to accurately attribute referrals and ensure you receive credit and compensation for qualifying referrals.
Applying allows Surrogate Steps to issue a dedicated referral link, provide program access, and ensure referrals are properly tracked and credited. This protects both affiliates and referrals and ensures accurate compensation.
No. Posting on social media is optional. Referral commissions, annual bonuses, and cultural match bonuses can all be earned without posting. However, social posting is strongly encouraged, as affiliates who share consistently tend to receive more referrals over time. Social posting is required only to participate in raffles and giveaways.
Absolutely! Surrogate Steps consultants are proud to work with same-sex couple and others in the LGBTQ+ community.
We aim to match you with a compassionate and caring surrogate who will understand your personalized individual needs and develop a trusting relationship with you.
Surrogate Steps consultants are aware of the particular attention to legal detail that is required when matching same-sex couples with a Surrogate. Surrogate Steps consultants work together with legal teams nationally and internationally to ensure that our Surrogate Mothers reside in States that are friendly to same-sex couples. This includes working with States that will allow both names of same-sex Intended Parents to be placed on their child’s birth certificate.
Surrogates are screened based on a number of social, behavioral, socioeconomic, health, medical, and pregnancy-related factors in a multi-stage interview-like process. In addition, to form-based and phone/video-based interviews, surrogates have their medical records combed through by a trained nurse/medical professional, must obtain clearance from the OB for pregnancy/surrogacy, pass a medical exam by your fertility clinic, and undergo a background check as well as an in-person home study by a private investigator, a social worker, or a Surrogate Steps professional. Over 100 small details that could interfere with the physical aspect of pregnancy or the relationship between the surrogate and the intended parent or agency will automatically disqualify someone from becoming a surrogate.
Surrogacy laws are complex and vary greatly by state and county. It’s important to work with an attorney to ensure that you get to keep your child and that your journey runs as smoothly as possible.
Surrogates must:
Many people assume others become gestational surrogates for money, but this is almost never the case. Sure, money may be the thing that initially sparks someone’s interest in becoming a surrogate and be a factor in why someone ultimately becomes a surrogate, but it is never the primary reason someone becomes a carrier. That’s because those who are in it for “quick and easy” money quickly realize that being a surrogate is by no means easy money and drop out from the surrogacy process.
In almost all cases, those who ultimately become gestational carriers do so because they are incredibly compassionate people and have an overwhelming drive to help those in need. For example, many surrogates share that being pregnant is very easy for them, and they love being pregnant, but that they do not want more children, and would love to use their gift of fertility to help others in need. Other surrogates share that they have personally known someone who struggled with fertility, and realized that surrogacy is the only way for some people to have children, and they want to help others have children, and to give the gift of life.
Affiliate earnings vary based on the number of surrogates you refer and how far each referral progresses. Affiliates can earn $2,000–$3,000 per qualified surrogate, depending on their referral tier, plus annual milestone bonuses, cultural match bonuses, and optional raffle or giveaway prizes. There is no cap on how much you can earn.
Not every applicant will meet the medical, legal, or lifestyle requirements to become a surrogate. If a referral does not qualify or chooses not to move forward, there is no penalty to you as the affiliate. Compensation is paid only for qualified surrogates who progress to the applicable milestones.
Yes. Anyone may apply to become an affiliate. Acceptance into the Surrogate Steps Affiliate Program is subject to review and approval so we can issue a dedicated referral link, provide program access, and ensure referrals are properly tracked and credited.
All affiliate commissions, bonuses, and prizes are paid within 30 days of the applicable milestone being met, including clearance for embryo transfer, pregnancy, annual referral milestones, qualifying cultural match referrals, and raffle or giveaway awards.
Referrals are tracked through your unique affiliate link once you are approved, which is the most reliable way to ensure proper tracking. Applicants may also list your name on the initial application as their referrer. Using your link or being named on the application allows Surrogate Steps to accurately attribute referrals and ensure you receive credit and compensation for qualifying referrals.
Applying allows Surrogate Steps to issue a dedicated referral link, provide program access, and ensure referrals are properly tracked and credited. This protects both affiliates and referrals and ensures accurate compensation.
No. Posting on social media is optional. Referral commissions, annual bonuses, and cultural match bonuses can all be earned without posting. However, social posting is strongly encouraged, as affiliates who share consistently tend to receive more referrals over time. Social posting is required only to participate in raffles and giveaways.
Absolutely! Surrogate Steps consultants are proud to work with same-sex couple and others in the LGBTQ+ community.
We aim to match you with a compassionate and caring surrogate who will understand your personalized individual needs and develop a trusting relationship with you.
Surrogate Steps consultants are aware of the particular attention to legal detail that is required when matching same-sex couples with a Surrogate. Surrogate Steps consultants work together with legal teams nationally and internationally to ensure that our Surrogate Mothers reside in States that are friendly to same-sex couples. This includes working with States that will allow both names of same-sex Intended Parents to be placed on their child’s birth certificate.
Surrogates are screened based on a number of social, behavioral, socioeconomic, health, medical, and pregnancy-related factors in a multi-stage interview-like process. In addition, to form-based and phone/video-based interviews, surrogates have their medical records combed through by a trained nurse/medical professional, must obtain clearance from the OB for pregnancy/surrogacy, pass a medical exam by your fertility clinic, and undergo a background check as well as an in-person home study by a private investigator, a social worker, or a Surrogate Steps professional. Over 100 small details that could interfere with the physical aspect of pregnancy or the relationship between the surrogate and the intended parent or agency will automatically disqualify someone from becoming a surrogate.
Surrogacy laws are complex and vary greatly by state and county. It’s important to work with an attorney to ensure that you get to keep your child and that your journey runs as smoothly as possible.
Surrogates must:
Many people assume others become gestational surrogates for money, but this is almost never the case. Sure, money may be the thing that initially sparks someone’s interest in becoming a surrogate and be a factor in why someone ultimately becomes a surrogate, but it is never the primary reason someone becomes a carrier. That’s because those who are in it for “quick and easy” money quickly realize that being a surrogate is by no means easy money and drop out from the surrogacy process.
In almost all cases, those who ultimately become gestational carriers do so because they are incredibly compassionate people and have an overwhelming drive to help those in need. For example, many surrogates share that being pregnant is very easy for them, and they love being pregnant, but that they do not want more children, and would love to use their gift of fertility to help others in need. Other surrogates share that they have personally known someone who struggled with fertility, and realized that surrogacy is the only way for some people to have children, and they want to help others have children, and to give the gift of life.
