Questions to Ask Before Signing With a Surrogacy Agency

AI Smart Summary 

Before signing a surrogacy agency agreement, intended parents should ask 20 structured questions across four categories: legal and licensing, financial and escrow, medical and clinical oversight, and program logistics. These questions help verify licensing, confirm escrow safety, understand medical supervision, and evaluate operational transparency. Any agency that cannot provide clear written answers—especially regarding independent escrow, physician involvement, pricing transparency, and verifiable references—should be carefully reconsidered before commitment.

Introduction

Signing with a surrogacy agency is not a casual decision. It typically involves a financial commitment ranging from $120,000 to $350,000 and a journey that can last 12 to 24 months or longer. Despite the significance of this decision, many intended parents ask only a few basic questions before signing contracts.

This guide provides a structured due-diligence framework of 20 essential surrogacy agency questions designed to uncover financial, legal, medical, and operational risks before you commit. These questions are meant to protect intended parents from incomplete information, unclear contracts, and avoidable complications.

Category 1: Legal and Licensing Questions

Q1: Are you licensed by the NYS DOH under the CPSA? What is your license number?

Q2: Are you FDA HCT/P registered? What is your FEI number?

Q3: Are you licensed or registered in my state of residence?

Q4: Does your fee include an independent legal referral?

Category 2: Financial and Escrow Questions

Q5: Is your pricing all-inclusive or base-only? Can I see a full breakdown?

Q6: Who holds the escrow funds? Is it an independent third party?

Q7: What happens to my funds if the agency closes?

Q8: What are the escrow disbursement triggers?

Q9: What is your refund policy if matching fails or the surrogate withdraws?

Category 3: Medical and Clinical Oversight Questions

Q10: Is there an in-house physician? Who is responsible for medical oversight?

Q11: Who reviews surrogate medical screening results?

Q12: Which fertility clinics do you work with? Can I choose my own?

Q13: What does the surrogate screening process include?

Category 4: Program Logistics and Support Questions

Q14: How many screened surrogates are currently available?

Q15: What is your average match time over the past six months?

Q16: How many clients are currently in your program? What is the coordinator ratio?

Q17: What is your communication protocol during the process?

Q18: What happens if a surrogate withdraws after embryo transfer?

Q19: Do you support LGBTQ+ families and single parents with documented protocols?

Q20: Can I speak with past or current intended parents?

What to Do If Answers Are Unsatisfactory

If an agency cannot provide clear, written responses to these 20 questions, it is a significant warning sign. Common concerns include:

• Vague or missing escrow information
• No verifiable licensing details
• Lack of physician involvement
• Refusal to provide references
• Pressure to sign quickly without review

In such cases, do not proceed until full clarification is provided and an independent surrogacy attorney has reviewed all documents.

Conclusion

Asking the right questions before signing a surrogacy agency agreement is one of the most important steps in protecting your financial and emotional investment. These 20 structured questions help ensure transparency in legal compliance, escrow protection, medical oversight, and operational reliability.

A trustworthy agency will not hesitate to answer these questions in writing. If clarity is missing, it is better to pause than to proceed under uncertainty.

FAQs

Q. How many questions should I ask before choosing a surrogacy agency?

A. You should ask at least 20 structured questions covering legal, financial, medical, and operational areas.

Q. Why is escrow information so important?

A. Escrow determines how your funds are protected. Independent escrow reduces financial risk if an agency fails.

Q. Can an agency refuse to answer these questions?

A. A trustworthy agency should not refuse. Lack of transparency is a major warning sign.

Q. What is the most important category of questions?

A. Financial and escrow questions are critical because they directly protect your funds.

Q. Should I still sign if most answers are unclear?

A. No. Always seek full written clarity and independent legal review before signing any agreement.

Before signing any surrogacy agreement, ensure every question is answered clearly and in writing. Transparency is the strongest indicator of a trustworthy agency.

For a structured Q&A review or to receive written answers to all 20 due-diligence questions:

📞 Call: 1-212-661-7673
📧 Email: info@surrogacy4all.com

A responsible surrogacy journey begins with informed questions and verified answers—never assumptions.