The covid pandemic has given home closings a serious blow among other things in real estate. This is the reason we are seeing widespread adoption of remote online notarization that allows all parties to conduct the closing process over a video call and complete the transaction legally.
Many states have permanently made remote online notarization and eClosing legal. Alabama has also passed its own bill to legalize RON and allows notaries to perform RON and eClosings in the current time.
If you are a notary or attorney based in Alabama who wants to learn more about this topic this post is meant for you. However, before we do so, let’s learn some basics about RON.
What is Remote Online Notarization?
Remote online notarization (RON) is the process of notarizing documents electronically. During the closing process, the title company facilitates the RON where all parties including buyers, sellers, their respective agents, attorney, and other parties sitting at different physical locations come together to express consent and legally transfer the ownership of the property.
The attorney applies the digital seal on the new deed and this is when the transaction is considered to be complete.
Remote Online Notarization in Alabama
Alabama has not passed any RON bill yet however the state has temporarily approved remote and virtual notarizations in the state without the direct involvement of the attorney. According to the emergency order of the Governor, all Alabama notaries may notarize documents online and also apply signatures.
The order also states that anyone participating in the call can be considered a witness.
Benefits of remote online notarization
There are many benefits of remote online notarization. These are:
RON is Safe. One cannot simply change or manipulate the details including the notary seal or signatures of a digital document unlike a physical one. In the current times, RON’s ability to provide social distancing during the closing process also adds to its
Gives you happy clients. RON saves the hassle for buyers and sellers to travel or mail physical copies of documents. This adds to their positive experience.
Saves you money. RON saves cost during title search and redoing physical documents and the paperwork needed in general. It also saves costs for the clients, they otherwise incur in mailing the documents.
Remote online notarizations are going to become a norm in the future. If you are a registered notary in Florida and thinking about remote notarization, this may be the right time to add that to your list of services.