What Is Psychological Screening in Surrogacy?

Last updated: · · Based on data from 196+ surrogacy agency compensation packages

Psychological screening is a mental health evaluation required for all surrogates (and often their partners) before being approved to proceed with a surrogacy journey. It's conducted by a licensed mental health professional who specializes in third-party reproduction.

Why Psychological Screening Matters for Surrogates

Surrogacy is emotionally complex. The screening isn't designed to exclude people — it's designed to make sure you're going in with eyes open, realistic expectations, and solid support systems. Most surrogates pass easily and find the experience valuable for preparing mentally for the journey ahead.

How Psychological Screening Works in Surrogacy

The psychological evaluation typically includes:

Cost is covered by the intended parents. The report is shared with the agency and clinic, not the IPs directly.

Real-World Example

Common discussion topics in psychological screening: why you want to be a surrogate, how you plan to explain the pregnancy to your children, how you'll handle difficult scenarios (like a request for selective reduction you disagree with), and what your support network looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is psychological screening for surrogacy?
Psychological screening is a mandatory evaluation by a licensed mental health professional to assess a potential surrogate's emotional readiness, motivations, support system, and ability to handle the unique challenges of carrying a pregnancy for someone else.
What questions do they ask in surrogacy psychological screening?
Common topics include your motivations for surrogacy, feelings about carrying a baby for someone else, your support system, how your family feels about your decision, your understanding of the process, prior mental health history, and how you'd handle difficult scenarios.
Can you fail surrogacy psychological screening?
Yes. Reasons may include unresolved grief, inadequate support system, unrealistic expectations, current mental health concerns, or signs that you're pursuing surrogacy for problematic reasons. Some evaluators recommend therapy before reapplying rather than a permanent denial.
Who pays for surrogacy psychological screening?
The intended parents or the agency covers the cost of psychological screening as part of the matching process. The surrogate should never be asked to pay for her own screening. Sessions typically last 2–4 hours.

Related Surrogacy Terms

Medical Clearance BMI Requirements Surrogacy Agency Surrogate's Rights Matching Process
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Source: SurroScore's proprietary database of surrogate-reported compensation data and agency compensation packages, collected from direct agency outreach, public filings, and verified surrogate reviews. Data current as of March 2026.