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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Well put Dwight! You are absolutely correct!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr style='height:53.5pt'><td width=115 valign=top style='width:86.0pt;padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 0in;height:53.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><img width=105 height=54 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D39AA8.D6BD26A0" alt=ibdr2></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=450 valign=top style='width:337.75pt;padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 0in;height:53.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Gregory L. Ursich </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>| Shareholder</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Skyline Tower, Suite 1500 | 10900 NE 4<sup>th</sup> Street | Bellevue, WA 98004<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:-4.15pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>P: 425.450.4258 | F: 425.635.7720<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="http://www.insleebest.com/uploads/vcards/gursich.vcf"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>vCard</span></a></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> | </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="http://www.insleebest.com/"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>website</span></a></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> | </span><u><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:blue'><a href="mailto:gursich@insleebest.com">gursich@insleebest.com</a></span></u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>This electronic mail transmission is privileged and confidential and is intended only for the review of the party to whom it is addressed. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately return it to the sender. Unintended transmission shall not constitute waiver of the attorney-client or any other privilege.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Bickel, Dwight<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 31, 2018 2:49 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com>; REALPROP@yahoogroups.com<br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] More Explanation about Remote Notary Acknowledgments<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;background:lime'>Resent with corrections of the prior message.</span></b><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt'> I apologize for the duplication.</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>First, a short answer to Kary Krismer’s question: </span></u></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>My earlier message references Virginia because that is one of the states with a statute that authorizes a notary to witness acknowledgments using remote computer technology. That statute does not limit its use to Virginia transactions. My comments therefore apply to any state that has a revised notary public law that authorizes a notary to witness an acknowledgment without being face-to-face. </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Is “remote acknowledgment” authorized?</span></u></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>A remote acknowledgment is statutorily authorized by notary public laws in Virginia, Montana, Texas and Nevada, although the Texas and Nevada laws do not become effective until July 1, 2018. Montana authorizes remote acknowledgment only if the transaction is in Montana. I have not reviewed the Texas notary law, but that may be the source of authority relied upon by Stewart in WA because it corporate headquarters is in Texas.</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Definitions may be helpful:</span></u></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>An “acknowledgment” is the act/words of the signing person that they signed the document. WA law requires this to be done for a conveyance.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>A “certificate of acknowledgment” is the statement on the document itself that the Notary Public signs stating that he/she witnessed an acknowledgment.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>An “electronic acknowledgment” refers to an acknowledgment certificate that is signed by the notary public on a computer, similar to electronic signatures. The WA statute change mentioned previously will allow the electronic notary certificate after July 1, 2018. An electronic acknowledgment could be after witnessing an acknowledgment in person [“personally appeared before me”], as the WA notary law clearly requires, or it could be after a remote acknowledgment where the signing person is not in the same place. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>A “remote acknowledgment” means the notary witnesses an acknowledgment while physically anywhere else in the world where the notary is licensed by that place. The notary would require a computer [or maybe even a smart phone]. The notary certificate could be on a paper document, or done electronically. The signing person could be anywhere in the world with a computer [or maybe even a smart phone]. A remote notary could witness an acknowledgment of a person in the adjoining room, and it still is not “personally appeared before me.”</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>“Standards” means that the state authorizes a remote acknowledgment if a notary has a specific license, if the notary uses specific software, if the notary follows specific document retention and transmission protocols, and if the notary follows specific methods to reduce the risk of forgery, incompetency and duress. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Is a “remote acknowledgment” a valid acknowledgment for a WA conveyance?</span></u></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>The premises of the logic for use of a remote acknowledgment for a WA transaction are that if the notary is licensed in the other state to witness an acknowledgment using a remote computer connection, and WA allows the acknowledgment by a notary if done pursuant to the notary laws of a different state, then the Virginia acknowledgment certificate signed by a Virginia-licensed notary will be valid for WA transactions.</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>My concerns include that the Virginia licensed notary is not satisfying WA law requiring an acknowledgment, unless the signing person “personally appears before” the notary in Virginia, as defined in WA laws for a compliant acknowledgment. Prior to July 1</span><sup><span style='font-size:5.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>st</span></sup><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>, WA law does not authorize an electronic acknowledgment certificate either. Even after that new notary law [<a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5081-S.PL.pdf">SB 5065</a>], WA still will not recognize a remote acknowledgment until a future law is passed. WA is awaiting promulgation of standards before it changes the requirements for an acknowledgment. </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>WA law [<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=65.08.030">65.08.030</a>] says a defective acknowledgment certificate does not invalidate the document and it still constitutes notice to a third party of the conveyance. However, note that WA law does not waive the requirement for an acknowledgment. If the remote acknowledgment is not a compliant acknowledgment, it may not matter that Virginia says its notaries there may witness a remote acknowledgment using unknown software and unknown methods to reduce the risk of forgery, incompetency and duress. </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>As we go into the future, we do so <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/618118-we-look-at-the-present-through-a-rear-view-mirror">watching in the rear view mirror</a>. If I was your lawyer, I would advise you not to use a remote acknowledgment until the WA Legislature accepts that future technology. It will.</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Dwight A. Bickel</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:gray'>Regional Counsel</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:gray'>Fidelity National Title Group</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:gray'>701 - 5th Avenue, Suite 2700</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:gray'>Seattle, WA 98104<br>Phone: (206) 370-3189</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:gray'>E-mail: <a href="mailto:Dwight.Bickel@fntg.com">Dwight.Bickel@fntg.com</a></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><u> ________________________________ </u><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>NOTICE: The information contained in this message is proprietary and/or confidential and may be privileged. 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