Escrow and money safety
Where your money lives: independent escrow, explained.
Surrogacy escrow is a third-party account that holds the funds intended parents owe their surrogate and pays them out on the schedule in the contract. At Private Label Surrogacy the escrow agent is a licensed independent company, not the agency: PLS has never held a client's funds and has no signing authority on your account. You fund $10,000 at match and the balance before medications start, you receive statements directly from the escrow agent, and you may choose your own escrow company if you prefer. In 2025 and 2026 two agencies collapsed with client funds missing. Independent escrow is the structural answer to that risk, and it is commitment number one in the PLS Standard.
Written by Nancy Block, RN
Founder and Director. Fertility nurse, 17 years at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Former President, SEEDS.
Last updated
How does independent escrow work?
PLS refers parents to [ESCROW PROVIDER NAME, CONFIRM permission to name].
How do you verify your balance?
- Ask the escrow agent, not the agency, for a current statement. It should come to you directly.
- Check that the account is in the parties' names and that the agent names the bank.
- Compare every disbursement against the payment schedule in your gestational carrier agreement.
- Confirm the escrow company's license in its home state, and that no one at the agency has an interest in it.
- Ask who can approve a disbursement. At PLS the answer never includes PLS.
What went wrong at Surro Connections and SEAM?
Two failures in the last two years show what happens when an agency, or a company tied to it, controls the money.
SEAM
A surrogacy escrow company that collapsed with more than $16 million in client funds missing. Families who had funded escrow became creditors. Status as of [date], reviewed by counsel.
Surro Connections
An agency that closed abruptly in late 2025, leaving families and surrogates without access to funds; a federal indictment followed in August 2026. Status as of [date], reviewed by counsel.
In both cases the risk was structural: money held by a party whose survival it depended on. PLS took on three surrogates stranded by agency failures in 2025 and 2026, pro bono, and completed their journeys. Financial red flags to watch for.
What ten money questions should you ask any agency?
- Who holds client funds, and are they licensed and bonded, in which state?
- Does any owner, staff member or affiliate of the agency have an interest in the escrow holder?
- In whose name is the account, and at which bank?
- Who sends statements, and how often?
- What is itemized, and what is the agency fee versus third-party and surrogate costs?
- What is paid at signing, match and clearance, and what triggers each payment?
- What happens to each dollar if the match ends, the transfer fails or we withdraw?
- Is there a rematch fee?
- Can we choose our own escrow company and attorney?
- May we speak to a current client and a current surrogate about payments?
At PLS: an independent licensed escrow agent chosen with you, funded $10,000 at match and the balance before medications; PLS has no access to the funds. Our answers to all ten.
From our founder · December 2025
A message of reassurance and transparency
Dear friends in the fertility community and those on their family-building journeys,
You may have seen the recent NBC News report about a surrogacy agency shutting down abruptly and leaving families and surrogates without access to funds they entrusted to the company.
Stories like this create fear and uncertainty for those already navigating an emotional and complex path to parenthood. A few unethical actions do not reflect the values of the surrogacy field as a whole, but they do highlight the need for clear ethical standards and full transparency.
To the families who place their trust in this community: your courage and hope matter. You deserve honesty, safety, and professionals who will stand with you at every step. Your dreams of parenthood are valid and worthy of the highest level of care.
How we protect every client
At Private Label Surrogacy, we follow strict ethical guidelines to protect every client. We never hold client escrow in house and work only with licensed independent escrow providers to ensure full financial accountability. Our team stays vigilant and aligned with best practices so your journey is managed with integrity and clarity. When questions arise, we refer you to trusted independent escrow and legal professionals who can provide guidance and support.
If you have concerns about how to protect yourself, what red flags to look for, or how recent events may impact your surrogacy journey, please reach out. We are here to guide, support, and advocate for you.
Nancy Block, RN team@privatelabelsurrogacy.com Phone (847) 496-0600
Frequently asked questions
Who holds the escrow in a PLS journey?
An independent licensed escrow agent chosen with you, never PLS. You fund $10,000 at match and the balance before medications start.
What is paid from escrow?
Surrogate compensation and allowances, her insurance premiums and life insurance, attorney fees, psychological evaluation, travel and monitoring costs.
Can I choose my own escrow company?
Yes. PLS refers licensed, bonded providers and accepts a parent-selected licensed escrow agent.
What does escrow administration cost?
Typically $1,000 to $2,500 for the journey, included in the third-party cost range; confirm with the provider.
Is money in escrow safe if the agency closes?
Yes, if the escrow agent is independent and licensed; the account belongs to the parties, not to the agency.