Age Limit for Surrogacy

If you have been searching for information on the age requirements in surrogacy, you have landed on the right page. Surrogacy is a special journey, but as you may already know, there are medical, legal and emotional reasons why it matters in this area.

We will aim to provide and explain to you the information relating to how old you must be to become a surrogate, why there is a minimum and maximum age limit, what age rules can apply for intended parents and what happens if you don’t meet the age requirements. We will try to keep everything simple and easy to follow, but you can contact us should you have any more questions.

Requirements for Surrogate and Parents

How Old Do You Have to Be to Be a Surrogate?

Surrogacy is very demanding, both physically and personally which is why the age requirements are so important here. It is decided by professionals and agencies to make sure the health and wellbeing of the surrogate mother and baby is in great condition. It exists for protection for everyone involved, to reduce any medical risks, and ensure that the surrogate is emotionally and physically prepared for pregnancy.

Minimum Age to Be a Surrogate

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and surrogacy professionals set the minimum age to be a surrogate as 21. Although, there are some clinics and agencies that request surrogate mothers to be at least 23, sometimes 25. It ensures that the woman who is going to participate as a surrogate is legally an adult, have the emotional maturity and life experiences needed to be able to commit to such a demanding responsibility.

Women under the age of 21 are not eligible, even if they’ve had a baby before. This is because the long term emotional and physical impact surrogacy can have on a woman’s future. It also aligns with ethical standards and current reproductive best practices.

Maximum Age to Be a Surrogate

There is also a maximum age to be a surrogate and this usually lies between 37 and 45, it can depend on the surrogate’s health and fertility history. Some women in their early 40s may still qualify, but most agencies and fertility clinics have the maximum surrogate age limit set at 40 for any first time surrogates and 45 for those with previous successful pregnancies. This would be depending on their medical history, fertility screening, and previous healthy pregnancies rather than her age alone.

The age of a woman isn’t the only factor to becoming a surrogate, the woman’s overall health, body mass index (BMI), birth history, and reproductive screening is also included in the eligibility.

For both the minimum and maximum age limits, they are there based on medical and guidelines and clinical experience, and are not just agency preferences.

Why Is There an Age Limit to Being a Surrogate Mother?

There are a mixture of reasons as to why there is an age limit to be a surrogate mother, such as medical, psychological, and legal requirements.

Age limits matter in surrogacy for several reasons. Health is one of the reasons as pregnancy becomes riskier as a woman grows older, it increases the chance of complications, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and high blood pressure. Fertility is another reason as it declines with age, the chances of a successful IVF and embryo implant reduces. Emotional preparedness is another factor due to the surrogate needing to be prepared to make informed decisions and handle the emotional responsibility of carrying a baby for someone else. Finally, the legal requirements need to be considered, agencies and clinics must follow strict guidelines for the protection of everyone involved in the surrogacy journey.

The age range is created to improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy and a smooth surrogacy journey for the intended parents.

Age Requirements for Intended Parents

There is not a fixed age requirement for intended parents, but many clinics and agencies have their own age specific requirements in place. Usually, intended mothers can be accepted up to 50–55 and intended fathers can be accepted in their 60s. Intended parents aren’t accepted just for their age, there are other things to take into consideration such as, testing for infectious diseases, financial stability and background checks are some of the considerations. Professionals will assess the ability for a single person or couple to raise a child long term to make sure it is a stable and supportive environment for the child, and older applicants can be asked to have medical and psychological evaluations.

FAQs

What If You Don’t Meet the Surrogate Age Requirements?

Unfortunately, if you are below the minimum age and above the maximum age limit agencies and clinics will not go ahead with your application. Sometimes there can be exceptions. You could be just outside of the acceptable age range and have strong medical records or even a healthy history of pregnancy, if you do it will be assessed on a case by case basis. You can contact us to consult with a surrogacy professional to discuss your specific situation.

Why Is Teen Surrogacy Prohibited?

Many young women ask, can I be a surrogate at 18 or 19? The answer is no. Surrogacy is not allowed at these ages by reputable agencies or clinics. Although 18 is the legal age of adulthood, it is believed by professionals that teenagers may not be ready for the emotional strength, life stability, or the understanding required to navigate the complex process of surrogacy.

Additionally, a teen pregnancy already has increased medical risks, some of these can be anaemia, premature births or postnatal depression. This can make them unsuitable for surrogacy arrangements. For this reason, reputable agencies and clinics set the minimum age for surrogacy at 21.

Can You Be a Surrogate at 18?

As previously mentioned, the answer is no. The minimum age to be a surrogate mother is usually 21. The agencies set this requirement to make sure the surrogate is legally, emotionally, and medically ready for the challenges they may face. Anyone below the age of 18 will be asked to wait until they reach the age requirements.