Bulletin: TX2023004
Dear Associates:
Chapter 406 of the Texas Government Code has been amended during the 88th Texas Legislative Regular Session to allow for Remote Ink Notarizations (hereinafter “RIN”). This statute takes effect January 1, 2024. Although RIN is an available alternative, we encourage you to continue to do notarizations in person whenever available and make use of our Remote Online Notarization (RON) approved vendors to minimize the risks of identity fraud. RON is the preferred method of remote notarization.
What You Should Do/Know:
If requested to use a RIN, you should contact a Texas Stewart Title Guaranty Company Underwriter for authorization. However, to consider insuring using a RIN, Stewart will require (1) the RIN be performed in the title office of a Stewart agent or a Stewart Direct Operations office and (2) the notary complete the Certificate of Authentication by Notary.
Also, due to the time period allowed for the mailing of the documents, it is important to note that you cannot fund the transaction or issue a policy until the receipt and recording of the documents containing the RIN.
Please see details on RIN requirements in the references section, below.
If you have any questions relating to this or other bulletins, please contact a Stewart Title Guaranty Company underwriter.
For on-line viewing of this and other bulletins, please log onto www.vuwriter.com.
Certificate of Authentication
Statutory RIN Requirements
Sample Declaration
Sample Certificate
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THIS BULLETIN IS FURNISHED TO INFORM YOU OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS. AS A REMINDER, YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENT ON VIRTUAL UNDERWRITER AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME AS IT APPLIES TO YOU, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS. OUR UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS DO NOT AUTHORIZE OUR ISSUING AGENTS TO ENGAGE IN SETTLEMENTS OR CLOSINGS ON BEHALF OF STEWART TITLE GUARANTY COMPANY. THIS BULLETIN IS NOT INTENDED TO DIRECT YOUR ESCROW OR SETTLEMENT PRACTICES OR TO CHANGE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS. CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, OR NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION SHOULD NEVER BE SHARED OR DISSEMINATED EXCEPT AS ALLOWED BY LAW. IF APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR REGULATION IMPOSES ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS.