Surro Connections, a Washington-based surrogacy company, abruptly shut down in December 2025 due to financial and operational difficulties, leaving ~150 surrogates and parents unable to access up to $5 million in funds held in third-party escrow accounts.
The FBI is investigating the Surro Connections closure and has contacted affected families and employees.
The surrogacy industry is worth billions, with costs starting at $100,000 per child in Australia, where commercial surrogacy is illegal, pushing parents overseas amid risks and inconsistent state laws.
Fertility and surrogacy services in the U.S. are expanding but remain underregulated and expensive, highlighting systemic gaps.
Critics argue surrogacy exploits women and commodifies children, while supporters see it as empowering; Australia's Law Reform Commission is reviewing laws as of March 2026.