DocMagic Inc. has rolled out its in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) capability, extending its Total eClose platform to support more closing scenarios and borrower preferences. IPEN offers lenders, settlement agents, notaries and borrowers an additional digital option for situations where remote online notarization (RON) is not jurisdictionally permitted or not the preferred experience.
RON is not authorized for real estate transactions in every state. Today, IPEN is permitted in 46 states and the District of Columbia, making it an accessible alternative that preserves the benefits of electronic execution in jurisdictions that do not permit remote notarization, according to a release. For lenders, this expanded coverage translates into greater operational flexibility and a more consistent eClosing workflow regardless of geography.
“Not every transaction can be remote, but every transaction can be digital,” DocMagic Chief Technology Officer Michael Morford said in a release. “By adding IPEN, we’re enabling lenders, settlement agents and notaries to provide the kind of in-person experience many consumers still prefer while maintaining all the efficiency, accuracy and immediacy of an electronic closing.”
A key advantage of IPEN is its flexibility, according to a release. Where permitted by state law, settlement agents and notaries can switch between RON and IPEN within the same transaction, supporting co-borrowers in different locations or accommodating last-minute changes in borrower availability. The immediate availability of electronically executed documents also shortens post-closing timelines, accelerates funding and reduces costs associated with paper handling.
The addition of IPEN also supports a range of borrower preferences. Some clients want hands-on guidance, while others value the relationship and ceremony of an in-person signing. IPEN preserves that face-to-face experience while delivering the efficiency and accuracy of a 100 percent digital closing, giving lenders a way to meet every borrower where they are without giving up speed, accuracy or auditability.
“IPEN rounds out the Total eClose platform so every closing — hybrid, remote or in-person — can be managed through one trusted digital ecosystem,” DocMagic co-founder and CEO Pat Theodora said. “This enhancement reflects our commitment to supporting all participants in the closing process and helping our clients deliver a consistent digital experience, regardless of the borrower’s location or preference.”
DocMagic’s proprietary IPEN technology uses the DocMagic signing interface and is available to all notaries within the company’s nationwide notary network. All RON-capable notaries in the system can also perform IPEN. Optional identity verification tools such as knowledge-based authentication and ID Verify remain available but are not required for in-person sessions.