surrogacy timeline overview
Surrogacy Timeline Overview: Month by Month From Application to Delivery
A surrogacy timeline overview helps you understand what to expect at every phase — so nothing comes as a surprise. Most journeys take 12 to 24 months from your first application to delivery.
Quick Answer
- The full surrogacy process takes 12–24 months from application to delivery
- The timeline includes application, matching, legal contracts, medical screening, IVF, pregnancy, and delivery
- The agency coordinates every phase so you always know what comes next
- The longest variable is how quickly a match is made — some are fast, some take a few months
Months 1–2: Application and Qualification Review
Your surrogacy timeline overview starts on the day you apply. The Rocky Mountain Surrogacy team reads every application. A real person responds within a few days.
If you look like a good fit, the next step is a phone call. You talk with a coordinator. You ask your questions. Together, you decide if this is the right path.
After the call, the team reviews your history. They look at your prior pregnancy while still parenting or closely involved with that child records and run a background check. Your home life and support system are part of the picture too.
The agency follows evidence-based screening guidelines from ASRM.
Most surrogates pass the initial review in two to four weeks. Then the matching phase of the surrogacy timeline overview begins.
The online application is the first step. It takes about ten minutes and is reviewed personally by the Rocky Mountain Surrogacy team within days.
Months 2–5: Matching With Intended Parents
After initial qualification, your profile is prepared for matching. The agency looks for an intended parent match that aligns with your values, communication preferences, and expectations for the relationship.
Matching can be quick — sometimes a few weeks — or it can take a few months if the right fit takes time to find. The agency does not rush matching. The relationship you are entering matters, and the right match is worth waiting for.
Once a potential match is identified, you receive the intended parents' profile to review. If it feels right for both sides, a first video call is scheduled. After that call, both parties decide whether to proceed.
No match is finalized until both you and the intended parents have said yes. You are never locked into a match that does not feel right.
See the full how surrogacy works page for more on the matching process.
Matching typically takes 1–6 months depending on the specifics of your preferences and the available intended parents. The agency never rushes this step.
Months 4–6: Legal Contracts and Medical Screening
After matching, two things happen at the same time: legal contracts and medical screening.
Your independent attorney reviews the surrogacy contract with you. You go through every term. You ask every question. You sign only when you feel ready.
At the same time, the fertility clinic starts your medical screening. This includes blood tests, a uterine check, and a psychological check. The clinic confirms you are ready to carry a pregnancy.
Once the contract is signed and you clear medical screening, the clinic schedules the embryo transfer.
This phase usually takes six to twelve weeks, start to finish.
Your independent attorney reviews the contract with you and works for you alone — not the agency, not the intended parents. You have full legal representation before you sign anything.
Months 6–8: Embryo Transfer and Confirmation
Transfer day is a big moment in the surrogacy timeline overview. You take medications for two to four weeks first. This preps your uterine lining. Then the embryo is transferred at the clinic. The procedure is brief. It is typically painless, according to ASRM.
About ten to fourteen days later, a blood test checks if the transfer worked. A rising hormone level means the embryo has implanted. A second test confirms the pregnancy is progressing.
The CDC tracks embryo transfer and IVF outcomes nationwide.
Around weeks eight to ten, the IVF clinic graduates you to your local OB. Regular prenatal care begins from that point.
If the first transfer does not result in a pregnancy, the contract typically allows more attempts. Your coordinator stays in close contact through every outcome.
- 2–4 week medication protocol to prepare uterine lining
- Embryo transfer — a 15–30 minute clinic appointment
- Beta HCG blood test at 10–14 days post-transfer
- Graduation to local OB at 8–10 weeks gestation
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the surrogacy process take?
From application to delivery, most Rocky Mountain Surrogacy journeys take 12–24 months. The biggest variable is matching speed — sometimes weeks, sometimes a few months.
How long does the matching phase take?
Matching typically happens between months 2 and 5 of your journey, depending on your preferences and intended parent availability. Rocky Mountain Surrogacy does not rush matching — the right fit is worth waiting for.
When does IVF begin in the surrogacy timeline?
IVF begins after legal contracts are signed and medical clearance is granted. This typically falls around month 6 of the journey, after matching and legal review are complete.
What happens after delivery in the surrogacy timeline?
After delivery, Rocky Mountain Surrogacy provides postpartum check-ins and 24/7 access to your coordinator. The formal journey closes when you are fully recovered.
Can the timeline be faster?
Yes — if matching happens quickly and medical clearance is straightforward, some Rocky Mountain Surrogacy surrogates complete the journey in 12 months or less. Your coordinator keeps you updated at every phase.