📝 Paperwork with Purpose: What Intended Parents and Surrogates Complete Before the Journey Begins

At Little Miracles, we believe that every surrogacy journey should begin with clarity, trust, and thoughtful preparation. Before matches are made and milestones celebrated, there’s an essential phase that lays the foundation for a safe, supported experience: paperwork.

While “paperwork” might sound dry, the truth is—it’s where stories begin. These forms help us understand your values, preferences, and hopes. They ensure that everyone involved is aligned, informed, and ready to move forward with confidence.

Here’s a closer look at what intended parents and surrogates complete before the journey officially begins:

📄 Intended Parent Application: More Than Just Logistics   Intended parents fill out a detailed application that helps us understand their goals, medical background, and preferences for the journey ahead. This includes:

• Embryo Creation Details: Where embryos were created, how many are available, and any relevant medical notes

• Location of Surrogacy: Where they plan to pursue the journey—important for legal and logistical planning

• Surrogate Preferences: Are there specific traits or circumstances they’d prefer to avoid in a match?

• Pregnancy Reduction Decisions: How they feel about reducing a pregnancy in cases of multiples or genetic complications

• Relationship Expectations: What kind of relationship they hope to have with their surrogate—close and ongoing, or more formal and limited

• Disclosure to Child: Whether they plan to share their child’s surrogacy story and how they envision that conversation

This application isn’t just about data—it’s about building a match that feels right emotionally, ethically, and practically.

📝 Surrogate Application: Sharing Values and Vision   Surrogates complete a similarly comprehensive form that reflects their motivations, boundaries, and preferences. This includes:

• Why They Want to Be a Surrogate: Their personal story and what inspires them to help build families

• Intended Parent Preferences: Are there types of IPs they feel more or less comfortable working with?

• Pregnancy Reduction Views: Their stance on reducing a pregnancy in cases of multiples or genetic concerns

• Relationship Expectations: What kind of connection they hope to have with the intended parents—during and after the journey

This form helps us honor the surrogate’s voice and ensure that any match is built on mutual respect and understanding.

🔍 Background Checks & Releases   To protect everyone involved, both intended parents and surrogates undergo:

• Background Checks: A standard part of our screening process to ensure safety and transparency

• HIPAA Release Forms: So, we can communicate with medical providers and ensure proper care coordination

• Social Media Account Forms: To clarify expectations around privacy, sharing, and boundaries

• Media Release Forms: For those who wish to share their story publicly—always optional, always respected

🩺 Medical Records & OB Clearance   Surrogates also complete additional paperwork to support their medical screening:

• Medical Records Release: So, we can obtain full OB and pregnancy history

• Recent OB Appointment: Surrogates must have had an OB visit within the past year

• OB Clearance Form: Completed by their provider to confirm they’re medically approved to pursue surrogacy

These steps ensure that surrogates are physically prepared and that their care team is aligned with the journey ahead.

💡 A Note on What’s Included   This overview highlights the core paperwork that helps us build safe, supported matches—but it’s not exhaustive. Depending on individual circumstances, legal requirements, and medical needs, additional documentation may be requested throughout the process. Every journey is unique, and our team is here to guide you through each step with clarity and care.

💬 Why It Matters   This paperwork isn’t just a checklist—it’s a conversation. It’s how we build matches that feel safe, supported, and aligned. It’s how we honor the emotional depth and ethical complexity of surrogacy. And it’s how we ensure that every journey begins with mutual understanding and care.

If you’re considering surrogacy—whether as an intended parent or a surrogate—know that this process is designed to protect you, empower you, and help you find the right fit.

At Little Miracles, paperwork is just the beginning. The real magic comes next.