What disqualifies you from being a surrogate?

Common disqualifying factors include no prior births, active tobacco or nicotine use, currently receiving government financial assistance, three or more prior C-sections (at many agencies), a BMI over 32, certain mental health histories, and a felony criminal record.

How much do surrogates actually get paid?

In Georgia, surrogates typically earn $57,000–$83,000 in total compensation for a full journey. This is paid in installments throughout the pregnancy, not as a lump sum or a salary.

Is there an age limit to become a surrogate?

Most agencies require surrogates to be between 21 and 40 years old, though some set the upper limit at 38. First-time surrogates are typically preferred to be under 35, since pregnancy risk rises with age.

How Much Do Surrogates Make in Georgia (2026)

Compensation

Surrogate Compensation in Georgia

Base Compensation	$50,000 – $65,000
Monthly Allowance	$3,000 – $6,000
Maternity Clothing	$1,000 – $2,000
Lost Wages	$3,000 – $10,000
Total Potential	$57,000 – $83,000

Base Compensation	$60,000 – $80,000
Monthly Allowance	$3,000 – $6,000
Maternity Clothing	$1,000 – $2,000
Lost Wages	$3,000 – $10,000
Total Potential	$67,000 – $98,000

Estimated ranges based on average compensation in Georgia. Actual compensation is determined by the agency. Sources: Industry surveys of 30+ agencies, 2024–2026 data.

Legal

Georgia Surrogacy Laws

Georgia has no surrogacy statute and no published Georgia appellate decision governing it. Compensated gestational surrogacy is practised routinely, but it rests on the absence of a prohibition rather than on any affirmative authorisation.

Which county you file in matters more here than almost anywhere

Most Georgia judges grant pre-birth orders, frequently without a hearing and regardless of genetics or marital status. But there are counties where judges have not done so and have reservations about it. Venue can often be laid in the intended parents' county, your county, the county of birth, or the county where the transfer occurred — which makes venue a genuine strategic decision that affects you. Ask your attorney where they intend to file and why.

Nothing in Georgia law protects you

No minimum age, prior-birth requirement, residency rule or mandated evaluation. No required independent counsel, no rule on who pays, no protected medical decision-making, no statutory right to withdraw.

Where the risk actually sits

Three specific exposures: whether the assigned judge signs a pre-birth order at all; whether your contract's protective terms would be enforced by a court with no statutory framework to apply; and whether your name ends up on the birth record if the order is refused or delayed.

A note on what you may read elsewhere. Some agency pages describe a Georgia “Gestational Surrogacy Reform Act” or 2026 surrogate eligibility standards. No such law exists. Georgia did enact a 2025 law protecting access to IVF, but it addresses the procedure — not surrogacy agreements or parentage.

Your contract is the only floor. Because no statute sets minimum terms here, nothing in law guarantees you your own attorney, protects your right to decide on a caesarean or the number of embryos transferred, or lets you withdraw before transfer without penalty. In states with a statute those things are automatic; here they exist only if they are written into your agreement. Retain your own lawyer — not one referred by the agency — and have these terms negotiated in before you sign.

Source: No controlling Georgia surrogacy statute or appellate authority.

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Requirements

Georgia Surrogate Requirements

The criteria below are agency screening standards, not state law. No statute here sets a minimum age, requires a prior birth, or mandates medical or psychological evaluation. Agencies apply these criteria (largely from ASRM practice guidance) and they determine whether your application proceeds — but they are policy, and some are negotiable.

Age: 21–40 years old

Have given birth to at least one healthy child

BMI under 32

Non-smoker

No disqualifying health conditions

U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Financially stable (not receiving government assistance)

Final eligibility is determined by the agency's medical team.

How to become a surrogate in Georgia: full requirements & qualifications →

The Process

How Surrogacy Works in Georgia

Apply

Complete application in 10–15 minutes. Agency contacts you within 48 hours.

Medical Screening

Physical exam, bloodwork, and uterine evaluation — paid for by the agency.

Match with Intended Parents

Review profiles and meet potential intended parents. You always have the right to say no.

Legal Contract

Surrogacy agreement reviewed by your own attorney, funded by the agency.

Embryo Transfer & Pregnancy

Monthly compensation begins immediately after transfer. All medical costs covered.

Delivery & Final Payment

Remaining compensation disbursed around delivery. Post-delivery allowances continue up to 6 weeks.

See how surrogacy works, step by step →

FAQ

Surrogate FAQ: Georgia

Is surrogacy legal in Georgia?

Georgia has no surrogacy statute and no case law prohibiting it, so gestational surrogacy is practiced here by default. Nothing in state law sets requirements or protections, so your contract is your only protection.

Do I have to live in Georgia to be a surrogate here?

Typically yes. Most agencies require you to live in the state where you carry the pregnancy, as medical care and legal jurisdiction are state-specific.

Is surrogate pay taxable in Georgia?

Base compensation is generally taxable at the federal level. Expense reimbursements (travel, maternity clothes) are typically not taxable. Consult a tax professional for Georgia-specific guidance.

How long does surrogacy take in Georgia?

18–24 months from application to delivery: matching (1–6 months), medical screening, legal review, and the full pregnancy term.

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