---
title: "Escrow officer (settlement agent) — What It Means | Ondo RE"
canonical: https://www.ondorealestate.com/glossary/escrow-officer/
---

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Closing, title & notary[All terms starting with E](/glossary/#letter-E)

# Escrow officer (settlement agent)

Also called: settlement agent, closing agent

The neutral third party who holds funds and documents and carries out the closing according to instructions.

The escrow officer holds earnest money, collects signed documents and funds, pays off existing liens, disburses proceeds, and sends the deed for recording. They act for the transaction, not for either side.

Escrow in this sense, a neutral closing party, is different from the escrow account your servicer uses for taxes and insurance after closing.

## Related terms

- [Settlement (closing)The meeting where documents are signed, funds are disbursed, and ownership transfers.](/glossary/settlement/)
- [Escrow account (impounds)An account your servicer uses to collect and pay your property taxes and homeowners insurance alongside the mortgage payment.](/glossary/escrow-account/)
- [Title insuranceA policy protecting against defects in a property’s ownership history, issued after a search of the public record.](/glossary/title-insurance/)
- [RecordingFiling the deed and security instrument with the county so the transfer and any liens become public record.](/glossary/recording/)

## More in Closing, title & notary

- [Acknowledgment](/glossary/notary-acknowledgment/)
- [Apostille](/glossary/apostille/)
- [Condominium](/glossary/condo/)
- [Deed](/glossary/deed/)
- [Homeowners insurance](/glossary/homeowners-insurance/)
- [Jurat](/glossary/jurat/)

## Have a question about your own situation?

Ondo handles brokerage, lending, property management and notary under one roof, so the answer does not change depending on who you ask.

[Talk to Ondo](/contact/)[Browse all terms](/glossary/)