The American Land Title Association(ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, has announced an important addition to the ALTA Registry,the national database of title and settlement agents. The ALTA Registry now designates title and settlement company locations that can perform Remote Online Notarization (RON) closings. This will help mortgage companies identify closing companies that offer this increasingly in-demand service, which allows homebuyers to review, sign and notarize documents online during mortgage closings.

“More and more mortgage closings are being conducted online, and companies that can offer a remote notary are playing a key role in the process,” said Diane Tomb, ALTA’s chief executive officer. “Remote notaries have become even more valuable in light of the need for social distancing created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The ALTA Registry gives mortgage lenders an extra layer of confirmation that they’re working with the correct title agent, settlement company or real estate attorney. Every title agent office location is identified by a unique ALTA ID, allowing quick verification. Each entry is also fully confirmed by title insurance underwriters. Using the ALTA Registry, mortgage lenders can increase accuracy, reduce production expenses, combat fraud and improve compliance.

Currently, more than 8,200 title agents, settlement companies and real estate attorneys appear in the ALTA Registry. Closing companies that offer RON will be designated with a small graphic icon, making them easy to identify in the ALTA Registry, which is also fully searchable. The ALTA Registry is offered to mortgage companies on a subscription basis.