Fidelity Completes Its First Remote Online Notarization Transaction in Texas

March 5, 2019

Fidelity National Financial recently completed its first digital real estate closing utilizing a remote online notarization (RON) and digital signature process. This was the first such transaction for FNF in Texas, where state law allows escrow officers commissioned as online notary publics to perform fully digital closings using a combination of video technology and digital signatures. A Texas FNF affiliate used secure, RON technology to connect the property sellers in Austin with an escrow officer in Pearland. To complete the transaction, several documents were digitally signed by the sellers and notarized remotely.

"As consumers' lives become increasingly mobile, we are evolving our service to include a broad range of digital tools that allow us to meet them wherever is most convenient." said Jason Nadeau, chief digital officer for Fidelity. "Remote online notarization is just one part of this wider toolset, and allows sellers and buyers to close on a real estate transaction when and where best suits their schedules. Moving the already complex process of a real estate transaction closing online requires the coordination of many different moving parts and, as expected, our Texas team pulled it off seamlessly for our customer."

The digital tools employed by FNF for this transaction used electronic methods to ensure the identity of the property sellers and created a full set of compliant, digitally signed documents. Following the closing, an archived video version of the remote closing experience was uploaded to FNF's secure, web-based system for the delivery and storage of escrow and title documents, becoming part of the official record tied to this transaction.

"Digital closings and remote notarization tools are key components of Fidelity National Financial's wider vision for an end-to-end digital real estate experience," Nadeau added. "By combining the very best in e-close, e-sign, remote notarization and other innovations, we are moving our operations—and the industry—forward into the digital future. At the same time, we're ensuring our vast network of settlement agents, escrow officers and notaries maintain their competitive edge in an increasingly digital market."


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