Special Alerts - Resource Page
Special Alerts - Resource Page
[Rev 11-12-24]
All issuing offices must search the names of the parties to the transaction, including the seller, buyer, borrower, payoff lender, and new lender, using the Special Alerts database, available at https://specialalerts.stewart.com/Search.
If there is a match with the Special Alerts Database, issuing offices are instructed not to accept any orders, issue any commitments, or close any transactions, without clearance.
The Special Alerts Database contains names and addresses from several sources.
Potential matches with the Special Alerts Database are cleared differently, depending upon the source or nature of the potential match.
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE A POTENTIAL MATCH WITH THE SPECIAL ALERTS DATABASE, PLEASE REFER TO THESE RESOURCES BEFORE SENDING AN INQUIRY OR REQUEST FOR CLEARANCE.
GUIDELINES: CLEARING A POTENTIAL MATCH WITH THE SPECIAL ALERTS DATABASE
You may be able to expedite processing of a Special Alert inquiry, or eliminate the need to request or obtain clearance from Legal Services, by reading the Guidelines.
SPECIAL ALERTS - CLEARING A POTENTIAL MATCH WITH A LENDER, MORTGAGE BROKER, REALTOR, PROPERTY INSURANCE COMPANY, OR OTHER
There is a list of banks and other pre-cleared entities. It isn’t necessary to request or obtain clearance from Legal Services for an entity on the pre-cleared list, as it exists from time to time. It isn’t necessary to send a Special Alert inquiry to Legal Services or complete a Preliminary Questionnaire.
If there is a match with a bank, lender, mortgage broker, or realtor, we encourage you to check the pre-cleared list before sending a Special Alert inquiry.
CLEARING A POTENTIAL MATCH WITH A NAME ON A GOVERNMENT LIST
A potential match with a government list (Specially Designated Nationals List, Foreign Sanctions Evaders List) is cleared by the issuing office or whoever is handling the settlement function. It isn’t necessary to send a Special Alert inquiry to Legal Services or complete a Preliminary Questionnaire.
This link may help.
https://www.virtualunderwriter.com/en/forms/2022-2/government-list.html
SPECIAL ALERTS - PRELIMINARY QUESTIONNAIRE (Required for a potential match with a Special Alert only)
A potential match with a Special Alert is generally cleared by Stewart Legal Services.
If you believe that you have a potential match with a Special Alert, and if you would like Stewart Legal Services to attempt to clear a potential match with a Special Alert, please complete a Preliminary Questionnaire, unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in the guidelines, and send it with the requested documents (including the last deed and current contract if the transaction involves a sale) to SpecialAlerts@stewart.com or as otherwise indicated on the Alert. NOTE: Some Alerts will direct you to request clearance from NYLegal@stewart.com or STCALegal@stewart.com.
Please submit a separate Request for Clearance - Preliminary Questionnaire for each name. Please use the current version of the Preliminary Questionnaire, as it may be revised from time to time. Please include the number of the Special Alert. Please answer as many questions as you can, as best as you can. Missing information slows the review process. Please note that clearance may be unavailable, and it is prudent to be discreet in all communications with all parties. Additional questions may follow.
https://www.virtualunderwriter.com/en/forms/2022-2/special-alerts-preliminary-questionnaire.html
SPECIAL ALERTS – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
These frequently asked questions and answers may help:
https://www.virtualunderwriter.com/en/forms/2022-2/special-alerts-questions-and-answers.html
NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION
Please do not send any nonpublic personal information (e.g., Social Security number, date of birth, driver license information, passport, etc.) to Stewart Legal Services unless you receive a request for specific information.
Copyright 1970-2025 Stewart Title Guaranty Company. All rights reserved. The use of this form (or any derivative thereof) is restricted to Stewart Title Guaranty Company, its issuing agents, and affiliates in good standing as of the date of use. All other uses are prohibited.
For issuing guidelines on this form, see Guidelines.