Real estate transactions often involve people who are no longer located where their property is being sold. A homeowner may have moved to another state, relocated for work, purchased a second home, or simply be traveling when closing documents are ready.
For real estate attorneys and title professionals, an out-of-state seller can create an additional logistical challenge: How will the seller complete the required closing documents and notarizations without traveling back to the property?
Remote Online Notarization (RON) may provide a convenient solution for eligible documents and transactions.
At Colibri Notary Services, I assist real estate attorneys, title companies, lenders, and individual clients with Remote Online Notarization, including eligible seller packages for clients who are not physically located near the property or closing team.
What Happens When a Seller Is Out of State?
Consider a common situation: A client owns a New Jersey property but has already moved to Florida. The sale is ready to close, but the seller is not planning to return to New Jersey.
Traditionally, the seller might need to locate a local notary, coordinate an appointment, sign the documents, and return the completed originals according to the closing team’s instructions.
Depending on the transaction and the documents involved, Remote Online Notarization may eliminate some of those logistical hurdles.
Instead of arranging an in-person appointment, the seller may be able to meet with a qualified Remote Online Notary online, complete the identity verification process, sign eligible documents electronically, and complete the notarization remotely.
The important first step is always confirming that RON is acceptable for the specific transaction and documents.
Why Out-of-State Sellers Can Benefit From RON
For sellers, the biggest advantage is convenience.
An out-of-state seller may not have to:
- Travel back to the property state
- Find a local notary unfamiliar with the closing process
- Rearrange work or family obligations
- Spend additional time coordinating an in-person appointment
- Make an unnecessary trip solely to complete closing documents
Instead, when permitted, the seller can complete the notarization remotely from a location that works for them.
This can be particularly helpful for sellers who have already moved before their property closes.
Why This Matters to Real Estate Attorneys
For a real estate attorney managing a closing, the location of the seller can become one more issue to coordinate.
The attorney may be communicating with the client, title company, lender, real estate professionals, and other parties while also trying to ensure that documents are executed correctly and returned on time.
Having an experienced Remote Online Notary available can make the process easier.
A professional RON provider can coordinate directly with the appropriate parties, confirm appointment details, help the signer prepare for the session, and communicate any issues that arise.
For attorneys, this can be especially valuable when a closing has a firm deadline and the seller is several states away.
What Documents Are Included in an Out-of-State Seller Package?
A seller package may contain a variety of documents depending on the transaction.
Documents can include items such as:
- Deeds
- Affidavits
- Seller certifications
- Closing or settlement documents
- Tax-related forms
- Powers of attorney
- Other documents requiring notarization or signatures
Not every document necessarily requires notarization, and not every document can necessarily be completed through RON.
That’s why coordination between the real estate attorney, title company, lender, and notary is important before the signing takes place.
The receiving party should confirm that Remote Online Notarization is acceptable for the transaction and identify any specific signing, recording, or delivery requirements.
What Does the Seller Need for a Remote Online Notarization?
The exact requirements can vary depending on the transaction and RON platform, but sellers should generally be prepared with:
A Suitable Device
The signer needs an appropriate computer or mobile device with a functioning camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection.
Acceptable Identification
The signer will need to complete the required identity verification process. Depending on the platform and circumstances, this may involve presenting identification and answering identity-based questions or completing another approved verification method.
A Quiet, Private Location
The signer should be somewhere they can participate without unnecessary interruptions.
The Closing Documents
The notary and closing team should have the correct documents and signing instructions before the appointment.
Good preparation can make the online signing considerably smoother.
RON Can Be Especially Helpful for Last-Minute Situations
Out-of-state closings can become complicated when a seller’s availability changes unexpectedly.
Perhaps the seller was supposed to return to New Jersey but their travel plans changed. Perhaps the closing date moved forward. Or perhaps the attorney discovers that a notarized document still needs to be completed.
When RON is legally and transactionally appropriate, having a remote notary available may provide another option for keeping the closing on track.
This is one reason attorneys and title professionals may want to establish a relationship with a responsive Remote Online Notary before an urgent need arises.
What About Sellers Who Live Outside the United States?
The same issue can arise on an international level.
A seller may own U.S. real estate but live permanently or temporarily in another country. Coordinating a traditional notarization from abroad can introduce additional logistical considerations.
Remote Online Notarization may offer a convenient alternative when the transaction, documents, signer, and applicable laws permit it.
For international transactions, however, it is particularly important to confirm acceptance requirements with the attorney, title company, lender, and any other receiving party before scheduling the RON appointment.
Choosing a Remote Online Notary for Your Closing
When selecting a Remote Online Notary for an out-of-state seller, the technology is only part of the equation.
Communication and preparation matter, too.
Real estate attorneys and title professionals should look for a notary who understands the importance of:
- Following closing instructions carefully
- Communicating promptly
- Confirming signer and appointment details
- Preparing the signer for the technology
- Identifying potential issues before the appointment
- Handling documents carefully
- Coordinating with the closing team
A smooth notarization should make the closing process easier—not create another problem for the attorney or title professional to solve.
Remote Online Notarization for Out-of-State Sellers
An out-of-state seller does not necessarily need to travel back to the state where the property is located simply because notarized closing documents are required.
When RON is permitted and accepted for the transaction, Remote Online Notarization can provide a secure and convenient way for eligible documents to be completed remotely.
At Colibri Notary Services, I work with real estate attorneys, title companies, and other professionals to facilitate Remote Online Notarization for eligible real estate transactions and seller packages.
Whether your client is in another state, traveling, or living abroad, I’m happy to discuss the transaction and determine whether a remote notarization may be an appropriate option.
Need a Remote Online Notary for an Out-of-State Seller?
If you’re a real estate attorney or title professional coordinating a closing for a seller who isn’t local, Colibri Notary Services can help make the notarization portion of the transaction easier to coordinate.
Contact Colibri Notary Services to discuss your upcoming seller package or Remote Online Notarization needs.
