Become a Surrogate Mother

We believe in life, and you can believe in us.

Pregnant surrogate mother holding her baby bump

What Is a Surrogate?

A surrogate, often referred to as a surrogate mother, is a woman who voluntarily chooses to carry a pregnancy for someone else who is unable to do so. This decision is driven by an act of compassion and a desire to help others experience the joy of parenthood.

The surrogate mother is not genetically related to the child she carries, as the pregnancy is established through a process known as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), where an embryo from the intended parents (or donors) is implanted in her uterus.

Surrogate mothers embark on a remarkable journey, sharing an intimate connection with the intended parents. They provide a precious gift — the gift of life — to those who dream of growing their families but face challenges in achieving this dream.

Why Become a Surrogate Mother?

There are countless families longing for a child, yet they may face insurmountable challenges on their path to parenthood. As a surrogate mother, you provide a helping hand that bridges the gap between their dreams and reality, allowing them to experience the joy and love that come with raising a child.

Our surrogates are rewarded not just emotionally but also through various perks as a token of our appreciation. At Joy of Life®, we ensure that your generosity and dedication are acknowledged, making your surrogacy journey as fulfilling as possible.

Becoming a surrogate mother is about more than carrying a baby. It’s about carrying hope for families, and at Joy of Life®, we’re here to support and celebrate you at every stage of this miraculous journey.

same sex couple with their baby born through surrogacy

The Surrogate Mother Process

Preparation

Complete an Online Application: Begin your journey by filling out our online application.
Interview With Us: Schedule an interview to address any questions and to help us understand your motivations for becoming a surrogate.
Review Intended Parents’ Profiles: Browse through profiles of intended parents to identify a potential match.
Meet With Intended Parents: Meet with potential intended parents to ensure you’re a good match for each other.
Complete a Medical Screening: Receive a thorough medical examination to confirm you’re physically prepared for the surrogacy journey.
Complete a Psychological Evaluation: Participate in a psychological assessment to ensure you’re mentally ready for the surrogacy process.
Contract Review With Your Attorney: Go over the legal agreement with your attorney to fully understand your rights and obligations.
Contract Signing/Notarizing: Finalize your commitment by signing and notarizing the surrogacy contract.

Transfer Cycle With IVF Clinic

Start Building Uterus Lining: Begin prescribed medication to prepare your uterus for the embryo transfer.
Embryo Transfer: The intended parents’ embryo is transferred to your uterus.
HCG Test: Undertake a blood test to confirm pregnancy by measuring Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) levels.
Heartbeat Ultrasound: Validate the pregnancy through an ultrasound to detect the baby’s heartbeat.

Waiting for the Baby to Arrive

Transfer to Regular OB Doctor: Approximately nine to ten weeks post-embryo transfer, your care will transition to your regular OB doctor.
Regular OB Appointments: Attend routine prenatal check-ups to monitor the baby’s development and your health.
Due Date: Welcome the long-anticipated arrival of the baby!

About Joy of Life Surrogacy

Our commitment extends far beyond the completion of the surrogacy journey. We distinguish ourselves from other agencies by maintaining a nurturing connection with our surrogates and families even after the birth. Our dedicated team regularly checks in and offers support, ensuring that everyone involved continues to feel valued and cared for. This enduring bond is a testament to our belief in not just creating families but also nurturing lasting relationships and community well-being.

At Joy of Life® Surrogacy, we don’t just facilitate surrogacies — we foster lifelong connections, create families and celebrate the gift of life together.

Meet a Joy of Life Success Advisor

Follow along with Susan, a Success Advisor, and Andria, one of our surrogates, as they go through Andria’s initial screenings and learn more about being a surrogate with Joy of Life!

Why Choose Joy of Life?

Competitive Compensation

We offer one of the highest compensation packages in the industry, along with a range of perks to support our surrogate mothers both emotionally and financially.

Community Events

We host monthly events to foster strong bonds and share experiences within our growing community. These occasions offer a platform to connect with other surrogate mothers, form lifelong friendships and share your unique stories.

Support Team

At Joy of Life®, we believe in providing you with the best support. Instead of assigning just one case manager, we set you up with a full team of Success Advisors. Our members collaborate to ensure someone is always available for you.

Surrogate Retreats

Once a year, Joy of Life® hosts a retreat exclusively for our surrogate mothers. These retreats may include internal care and share events or reunions between intended parents and their surrogate mothers, fostering lasting bonds.

Professional Clinical Advisors

Our team is composed of professionals who have worked across multiple clinics, thus gaining in-depth knowledge of the surrogacy process. We’ll be there every step of the way to answer any questions and celebrate every milestone with you.

Dedicated Nutritionist & Psychologist

We have partnered with licensed nutritionists and psychologists, ready to offer personalized advice tailored to your unique surrogacy journey.

Career Opportunities with Joy of Life®

Beyond helping one family, surrogate mothers have the opportunity to join our team and assist hundreds more families in achieving their dreams.

Surrogate Mothers Choose Intended Parents

We place the power of choice in the surrogate mothers’ hands. Rather than intended parents choosing surrogate mothers, our surrogates get to select their preferred family from the intended parents’ profiles.

A surrogate mother sits at a desk looking at an agreement with a woman in professional attire guiding her through the terms.

Surrogate Mother Qualifications

In order to become a surrogate, you must meet the following requirements:

Be a U.S citizen or a U.S. permanent resident
- You must live in a state where surrogacy is not prohibited — see map below for details
Be a female between 21 – 38 years old
Have a good pregnancy history
- Have had no more than two c-sections or 5 deliveries
Have a body mass index (BMI) under 30
Lead a healthy and stable lifestyle
- Be a non-smoker and non-drug-user
- Have good physical and mental health
- Agree to psychological, drug and criminal screening

At Joy of Life® Surrogacy, we don’t just facilitate surrogacies — we foster lifelong connections, create families and celebrate the gift of life together.

Learn More About Qualifications

Surrogate Compensation

Surrogates with Joy of Life® receive anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 in total compensation upon successfully completing the surrogacy journey.

Learn More About Compensation

Have Questions?
For more details about our compensation and benefits packages, please call us at (909) 908-0772 or email us at info@joyoflife.com.

Apply today to receive our limited-time $500 sign-on bonus!

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the surrogacy process typically take?

The total duration of the surrogacy process can vary, but it generally takes about 12-18 months from the application process to the birth of the child. This includes time for matching, medical and psychological evaluations, legal contracts, the IVF cycle and pregnancy.

What kind of support will I receive as a surrogate mother with Joy of Life?

At Joy of Life®, we provide our surrogates with comprehensive support, including medical and psychological care, nutritional counseling and 24/7 assistance. Our surrogate mothers are assigned a case management team to ensure constant availability and support throughout the journey.

Can I become a surrogate if I've never been pregnant?

While we appreciate the desire to help, it’s essential for the safety of both the surrogate and the intended child that a surrogate mother has had at least one successful pregnancy. This helps to demonstrate that the surrogate’s body can handle the process safely.

Will I have to pay for any medical expenses related to the surrogacy?

No, all medical expenses related to surrogacy are covered. Joy of Life® works with the intended parents, insurance companies and medical providers to ensure all bills associated with the pregnancy are covered.

Am I allowed to continue working while I am a surrogate?

Yes, many surrogate mothers continue their usual employment throughout much of their surrogacy journey. However, certain aspects, such as medical appointments or the later stages of pregnancy, may require some time off. Joy of Life® provides a benefits package to cover wage loss due to these circumstances.

Helping Families Nationwide

At Joy of Life®, we’re proud to serve as a bridge connecting caring surrogate mothers with hopeful families across the country. Based in Southern California, our reach extends from coast to coast, reflecting our mission to bring joy to families nationwide.

California, Oregon and Nevada form the heart of our operations, where we’ve helped create countless stories of joy and fulfillment. We work with surrogates throughout the U.S., as long as surrogacy is permitted by state laws where they reside.

We believe that everyone who dreams of becoming a parent should have that opportunity, no matter where they call home. By working with Joy of Life®, you’re joining a community that knows no borders — a community built on compassion, respect and a shared commitment to creating new lives. Together, we’re transforming dreams into reality, one family at a time.

Surrogacy Legality Map

Hear Our Surrogates’ Stories

Discover heartfelt stories from our surrogates and their reasons for choosing Joy of Life® as their trusted surrogacy partner. Their honest testimonials give invaluable insight into the process — the highs, the lows and the life-changing difference they made.

Meet Surrogate Mother, Alondra

“I decided to become a surrogate after having a daughter of my own.. I felt like this is something that I can do to help others who are not able to conceive or who want to have kids. It’s definitely a rewarding experience and something that you will hold on to for a lifetime. From the beginning, Joy of Life genuinely shows that they care. I’m glad I went with them.”

Meet Surrogate Mother, Helenn

“I chose Joy of Life because they made me feel very comfortable. I feel like they welcome you as if they have known you forever. As a first-time surrogate, I wanted to feel comfortable, to be heard, and be helped at any time, any day, with any question that I might have throughout the surrogacy. And they did just that! They check on you every day, and they want to make sure that you know that you and the baby are in good hands. It’s just really comforting to know that.”

Meet Surrogate Mother, Chantel

“[Being a surrogate] was something I felt called to do. I chose to do this for my best friend who had two miscarriages and had a baby. He was three days old when he passed away. I knew at that moment this is what I wanted to do. I remember her calling me and telling me ‘I don’t understand how you can have two healthy kids and I can’t have one’. It was just something I felt I needed to do to help make somebody’s dream come true.”

Meet Surrogate Mother, Monica

“My sister explained to me that she couldn’t have kids and I had offered to have her baby for her. Going through that process with my sister gave me the confidence to be able to go ahead and start the process. When I came in contact with Joy of Life, they were very welcoming, kind, and made the process feel really smooth. I definitely wouldn’t have made it through without my case manager or coordinator who helped me feel like family.”

Ready to Get Started?

Complete our online application and start your surrogacy journey with Joy of Life® today!