There are three options for signers to complete an online real estate closing when documents need to be signed by multiple parties. This article explains the options and answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
🎯Primary Audience: Title Agents & Lenders
For information on setting up a closing with multiple signers, review:
For the process from the signer's perspective, read Complete Your Online Real Estate Closing with Multiple Signers.
Co-Located Signing
Signers are in the same room and join the same notary meeting together on one device (computer or mobile).
Split Signing
Signers are in different locations and are either unable or unwilling to join the same online notary meeting. Separate notary meetings take place, and fees are paid for each meeting. (Also known as Sequential Signing.)
- When one signer is signing, the other cannot be signing simultaneously. A notary must always see the most up-to-date version of the document.
- Exception: All Hybrid transactions can be signed by signers whenever. Signers do not need to wait for other signers to be done.
Concurrent Signing
Signers are in different locations and join the same notary meeting from separate devices at the same time.
- If a signer starts a Concurrent Signing, they may be presented with the option to move forward instead of waiting for the others. If they take this option:
- Additional signers may still join when the meeting is in progress.
- It becomes a Split Signing if they finish signing before other signers join the meeting.
- The Sign Ahead feature is not available with Concurrent Signing. All documents must be signed during the meeting.
- Concurrent Signing is available when you use your in-house notary or if you use the Notarize Network or Overflow.
Concurrent Signing: The Notary's View
Once the borrowers are in the meeting with the notary, they will see each other on separate video feeds. When all identities are verified, the checkmark next to the Check ID icon turns green.
Activation | Real Estate Accounts
This feature must be enabled by Proof:
- Title/Lender Premium: Contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM).
- Title Pro: Please contact our Sales team.
(Activation is only required for Concurrent Signing.)
FAQs
If an organization is set to Signer (Borrower) Pays, how is it decided which borrower is charged for a Concurrent Signing?
Read How Much Does Notarization Cost on the Proof Platform? for details on how payment works for multi-signer transactions.
What if one borrower never shows up for a Concurrent Signing?
The meeting can continue with the present borrower and the missing borrower can come back later on their own. The present borrower would select Continue without others to exit the Waiting Room. This is now a Split Signing.
What if one of the borrowers loses connection during a Concurrent Signing?
If one of the borrowers loses connection and drops during the meeting, they can return through their text link, complete KBA and ID capture, and return to the same meeting.
If the dropped borrower returns to the meeting, there may be two instances of their video feed. Before proceeding, the notary should lock any fulfilled designations/annotations and remove the old feed by selecting Remove Signer in the signer’s three-dot menu.
If the dropped borrower cannot return to the meeting, the notary should lock any fulfilled designations/ annotations.
If one of the borrowers is late for a Concurrent Signing, can the meeting start with the present signers?
Yes. If a borrower is late and the notary wants to start the signing process with the present borrower, they can do so. However, all previously locked documents will unlock upon the 2nd borrower joining.
Each borrower must be present for each document (even if their signature is not required on that document). Your notary must review and lock each document with both borrowers present.
If one borrower has completed their portion of a Concurrent Signing, can they leave the meeting early, or do they need to be there until everyone finishes signing?
Yes. The borrower may leave the meeting when finished signing. The signer who is finished may close their browser window. (If they leave it open, the window will close automatically when the notary completes the meeting.)
The notary should not select Remove Signer in this case.
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