When it comes to surrogacy, the escrow company is the quiet backbone of your entire journey. They’re responsible for holding and distributing the funds that pay your surrogate, reimburse expenses, and keep things running smoothly.
But here’s the truth: not every escrow provider operates with the transparency and safeguards you deserve. Some are tied to agencies or individuals with conflicts of interest. Others have collapsed overnight — taking intended parents’ money down with them.
Before you sign a contract or wire any funds, sit down with any potential escrow provider and ask the questions listed below. A trustworthy company will welcome them.
- How long have you been in business, and how many surrogacy escrow accounts do you currently manage?
- Are you truly independent — with no ownership or financial ties to any surrogacy agencies, clinics, or law firms?
- Are you licensed and bonded in every state where you operate?
- Are client funds held in segregated trust accounts, never commingled with company or other clients’ money?
- Where exactly are those funds held — and under whose name?
- Do you carry fiduciary insurance and undergo independent audits?
- What internal controls prevent a single person from moving funds without oversight?
- Will I have real-time online access to my account balance and transaction history?
- How often will I receive account statements?
- What approvals are required before payments or reimbursements are released?
- Do you work with independent reproductive law attorneys to draft escrow agreements?
- How do you handle refunds or account closures if a journey is paused or canceled?
- Have you ever been investigated, sued, or had formal complaints regarding fund management?
- Can you share references from attorneys, surrogacy agencies, or past intended parents who’ve used your services successfully?
If any answers feel vague, defensive, or confusing, trust your gut and keep looking. Keep in mind that a legitimate escrow company should view these questions as a sign you’re an informed, empowered client — not a nuisance. After all, your money funds your family’s future, so protect it like you would your child.
