Apply to Become a Surrogate in Iowa

Surrogacy is welcome in Iowa, with many surrogates helping build families across the state. Here, we will provide you with all the information you need to begin your application for our program. Whether you live in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, or elsewhere in the state, our team is ready to match you with the best possible intended parents for your surrogacy journey.

Your Guide to Becoming a Iowa Surrogate

The surrogacy process is outlined below in full for anyone considering becoming a surrogate in Iowa. We recommend that you review our guide before completing an online application to ensure that you are a good candidate for the Reproductive Possibilities program.

  • Surrogacy in Iowa
  • Surrogate Requirements in Iowa
  • Surrogate Compensation in Iowa
  • How Surrogates Match with Parents
  • Benefits of Being a Iowa Surrogate
  • How to Become a Surrogate in Iowa
Pregnant surrogate mother checking mobile phone

Surrogacy in Iowa

Surrogacy contracts are legal in Iowa even though the state does not have any laws pertaining to surrogacy at this time. Because the state currently lacks clearly defined laws that regulate surrogate arrangements, it is always advised that anyone interested in the process connect with an experienced surrogacy agency. This way, the rights and wishes of all parties will be respected via a professionally drafted contract.

What is Surrogacy?

Gestational surrogacy refers to when a woman elects to carry and deliver a baby on behalf of another couple or single parent. The gestational surrogate is not related to the baby in any way. The baby’s biological parents are the intended parent(s) or an egg/sperm donor, depending on the family’s situation.

How does surrogacy work in Iowa?

Surrogacy contracts are legal in Iowa, but they are not enforced by state law. In general, surrogates can proceed with their contracts without issue in the state, especially with the help of a surrogacy agency.

Asian surrogate mother with child

Surrogate Requirements in Iowa

To preserve the safety and health of our program’s surrogates as well as the babies they carry, we have a list of requirements in place. Every accepted candidate for surrogacy will need to meet the following conditions:

  • You are between the ages of 21-44 years old (an exception can be made for an experienced gestational surrogate)
  • You have given birth at least once before with no medical complications and less than three c-sections
  • You are a non-smoker
  • Your BMI range is between 18 and 33

If we accept your application, then you are well on your way to becoming a surrogate. Our team will conduct one-on-one interviews with you before your final program acceptance, but this is a very promising start. Learn more about surrogate requirements.

Surrogate Pay in Iowa

In gestational surrogacy, surrogates are well compensated for their time and effort. Becoming a surrogate is a serious commitment. Compensation in Iowa typically ranges between $55,000 - $60,000 in total. This will include your base pay, benefits, and expenses. If there are multiple fetuses, then you will earn an additional $5,000. An experienced surrogate has the option to request a higher compensation package if desired, though you will need to have already completed at least one successful cycle.

How Iowa Surrogates and Parents Are Matched

Once the screening process is complete and you have been accepted into the Reproductive Possibilities surrogacy program, the next step is to match you with intended parents. Our team has years of experience matching surrogates with loving and deserving intended parents from across the country, including in Iowa. We always do our best to match locally when possible and take great care in connecting parties who will work well together.

The matching process consists of two stages:

  • We first hold separate interviews with the surrogate and her prospective intended parents. We want to understand everyone’s expectations and goals to determine if everything aligns well. This is when you can let us know if you have a preferred type of intended parent you’d like to work with as a surrogate.
  • If a potential match is in progress, we’ll then schedule a conference between all parties. During this conference, we’ll seek to determine if there is an agreement on the core topics of an arrangement. For example, preferred forms of communication, whether support systems are in place for everyone, what is the plan in the event of multiples, etc.

If everyone agrees on the above points, then our team will consider a match having been made.


To learn more, visit our surrogacy process page for surrogate mothers.

Benefits of Becoming a Surrogate in Iowa

Knowing that you have made a life-long impact on someone who only previously dreamed of parenthood is a gift that is rarely replicated. Surrogacy touches so many lives, and for some, parenthood might not be possible without the help of a gestational surrogate like yourself. Of course, gestational surrogacy arrangements do feature generous compensation, and surrogates in the Reproductive Possibilities program are always provided with access to their state’s leading hospitals and medical clinics. We also work hard to facilitate matches between surrogates and intended parents locally whenever possible.
Child sitting with pregnant surrogate mother

How to Become a Surrogate in Iowa

Becoming a surrogate starts with the simple step of completing an online application. Our team will review your application carefully, seeking to determine if you meet all of our criteria. If this is the case, we’ll reach out to you to hold interviews so we can discuss your personal, medical, and if present, criminal histories in-depth. If at this time, you have any questions for our team, please be sure to let us know.

Become a Surrogate in Iowa