EDITOR'S NOTE: For all ATG updates related to this topic, see COVID-19 Updates.

ATG Will Insure RON Transactions

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, Governor Tony Evers directed the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (WDFI) to issue emergency guidelines to conduct remote online notarization (RON) of real estate documents in Wisconsin. WDFI Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld has approved the following four providers for title agents and others performing real estate transactions:

• Pavaso
• Nexsys
• Notarize
• NotaryCam

We encourage our title agents to contact their preferred vendor learn more about the product and establish a business relationship. Lenders may require specific platforms to meet their EVault requirements. We anticipate WDFI will add other platform providers in the future.

The following links are statements from WDFI:

• WDFI Press Release
• WDFI Emergency Guidance
• WDFI Requirements

TEMPORARY RON UNDERWRITING STANDARDS FOR ATG AGENTS

ATG will insure RON closings that comply with the following protocol:

1. Each person whose signature will be notarized is a United States citizen or permanent resident.
2. Each person whose signature is to be notarized has successfully passed the multi-factor authentication administered by the RON vendor platform.
3. The RON vendor in use is one of the WDFI-approved vendors: Pavaso, Nexsys, Notarize, or NotaryCam.
4. The RON vendor notarizes the document.
5. The county in which the property is located accepts RON electronic documents for recording; title agent must confirm this with the County Register of Deeds in the appropriate county.
6. The closing instructions provided by the parties and the lender must expressly authorize the use of RON to conduct the closing.

If you have questions regarding RON for Wisconsin transactions, feel free to email or call 262.347.0102. As always, we appreciate your business and ongoing support.

Thomas G. Cullen
ATG Vice President and Managing Attorney – Wisconsin Operations

[Updated 3-30-20]