The first electronic notarization and electronic mortgage closing in California took place this month in Orange County, according to NotaryPro, the company that facilitated the transaction.
Irvine, Calif.-based NotaryPro coordinated what it called “the first electronic home equity mortgage closing” in the state on Feb. 1, using DigaSign, a device that makes it possible to sign digitally at occasions such as real estate closings using a special inkless pen and what is known as a biometric pad.
Secured Funding recorded the electronic warranty deed and security agreements utilizing U.S. Recording, which officially filed with the Orange County, Calif., recorder of deeds, NotaryPro said.
Working with DigaSign, NotaryPro provided the technology platform for the event. NotaryPro captured the borrower’s initials and signature on a biometric pad which transports the electronic data of initials, signatures and acknowledgements, applies it to the entire loan document package, inserts the electronic notary signature and electronic seals and then encrypts all data in conformity with federal and state law.
“Utilizing the DigaSign platform allowed NotaryPro to complete the mortgage closing in one-third the time of a traditional paper closing with zero errors,” claimed NotaryPro’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Kelly Fidel.
Fidel claimed that by using DigaSign, her company was able to compress the mortgage signing process about four days, allowing the borrower to fund and record faster. Field claimed that this provided the lender with efficiencies and cost savings not available in a paper closing.
According to NotaryPro, the partnership between Secured Funding, NotaryPro and World Wide Notary – the company behind DigaSign – provides the tools to complete what the company described as the first electronic home equity mortgage in California.
DigaSign complies with security and compliance procedures set forth by the Secretary of State in California for the electronic notary seal and electronic signature, which, according to the company, is as legally binding as a handwritten signature.
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