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REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION APPROVED FOR ILLINOIS

REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION APPROVED FOR ILLINOIS

By Michael H. Wasserman

With the stroke of his pen, Governor Prtizker eased one of the biggest logistical challenges for client real estate closings since the COVID-19 emergency was declared nearly three weeks ago.

 Executive Order 12 allows for remote online notarization. My firm is prepared and ready to utilize this tool now. (Technology, for the win!)

Deeds, mortgages and many other documents used in real estate closings must be witnessed by an Illinois licensed notary. The ink-signed, original document has always been—and will continue to be—required for real estate closings. This poses a great difficulty:

The notary and signer have to be in the same place, at the same time for the notary’s attestation to be valid. Shelter-in-place rules, best health-safety practices and overall concern of spreading COVID-19 make that unacceptable to many, undesirable to all, and impossible for some. Law firms and title companies have been using “drive-by” or curb-side signings to minimize contact, but that is, at best, an inelegant solution.

Executive Order 12 allows even greater health protection for everyone involved. Notaries must still witness signings in real time; but can now do so from remote locations. The list of legal requirements is long, yet my firm has the tools and the system in place to accommodate. The arena has changed, as have the rules of engagement, but we are still running business as usual. Please contact us if you would like to know more, or if you need our notary services during this crisis period.

A final note, the entire country is looking for a path to restart the economy without leaving home. Technology like this proves that it’s possible.

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