Originally posted: March 26, 2020
[Resources last updated: July 8, 2020]
New emergency legislation and government orders have drastically impacted all corners of the US economy. The title & escrow industry is no exception. Starting in mid March, updates have descended on an hourly basis as associations, local and federal governments, and other leaders look to deliver guidance in light of unprecedented circumstances.
Navigating these changes and delivering up-to-date information to employees is paramount for title & escrow businesses to effectively perform their daily functions and inform clients and consumers about what to expect for real estate closings in light of COVID-19.
Below is a curated list of resources that are available for title & escrow businesses to stay on top of changes with verified information on closures, COVID-19 guidance, underwriter policy changes, and general information on business continuity and remote work. We will continue to update this page with reliable resources as they become available.
County recording closures and advisories
- ALTA: County clerk office closures tracker
- Simplifile: County recording status
Up-to-date COVID-19 guidance and best practices
- Qualia: COVID Update: Which States Have Passed RON or Temporary Orders for Remote Notarizations?
- Qualia: All articles related to COVID-19 best practices and guidance
- ALTA: Operation Healthy Office (guide for returning safely to offices)
- Qualia: RON Resource Guide (find up-to-date information on temporary COVID-19 executive orders enabling RON)
- ALTA: How Your Business Can Access Financial Assistance Due to COVID-19 Pandemic webinar
- October Research: CARES Act for You webinar
- ALTA: What Every Title Agent Needs to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Stimulus Package
- NNA: Coronavirus guidance for signing agents and mobile notaries from the National Notary Association
- National Association of Realtors (NAR): COVID-19 guide
- ALTA: Business operation tools during COVID-19
- ALTA: Updates on the SECURE Notarization Act (national RON legislation)
- CATIC: Up-to-date information on underwriter policy changes
Resources for maintaining business continuity
- Qualia: What to Do When Your County Recording Office is Closed
- Qualia: A Proactive Approach to Disaster Recovery and Public Health Threats: Create a Business Continuity Plan
- Qualia: Considerations for Notaries and Signing Agents During COVID-19
Remote work best practices and tools for success
- Qualia: New to Remote Work? Here’s How to Set up Yourself and your Team
- Qualia: Technology and Tools for Remote Work Success
- Qualia Webinar: Step-by-Step Guidance on Switching to a Remote Workforce
- Qualia Knowledge Base (for Qualia customers)
- LinkedIn: New to Working Remotely? These Resources Can Help
- Hone Webinar: Best Practices for Live Online Training: 3 Keys to Developing Your Remote Teams
- Intuit: Working Remotely Series for Tax Professionals
Regional COVID-19 resources and updates
- Arkansas: ARLTA homepage provides COVID-19 updates
- California: CLTA Coronavirus resource page
- Colorado: LTAC resource page (see latest news in sidebar)
- Florida: FLTA Coronavirus resource page
- Georgia: Georgia State Bar Coronavirus updates
- Illinois: ILTA newsroom page
- Indiana: ILTA COVID-19 news and resources
- Iowa: Iowa Land Title Association COVID-19 information page
- Kansas: KLTA homepage (click link for county courthouse updates)
- Louisiana: LAILTA news page
- Maryland: MLTA homepage
- Massachusetts: REBA COVID-19 resource page
- Michigan: MLTA COVID-19 updates page
- Mississippi: LTAMS Coronavirus resources
- Missouri: MLTA homepage (see links for county closures and department recommendations)
- Montana: MLTA homepage
- New Jersey: NJLTA homepage
- New Hampshire: Updates to NH Judicial Branch Response to COVID-19
- New Mexico: NMLTA Coronavirus updates page
- New York: NYSLTA news page & NYSB COVID-19 updates
- North Carolina: NC Bar Association COVID-19 updates and resources & NCLTA homepage
- Ohio: OLTA COVID-19 updates by county
- Pennsylvania: PLTA COVID-19 resource page
- South Carolina DOI: SC DOI bulletin
- Texas: TLTA Coronavirus resources
- Virginia: VLTA COVID-19 resource page
- West Virginia: WV Bar COVID-19 response plan and resources
- Wisconsin: WLTA COVID-19 updates
As more information and resources become available we will update this page with additional links and reputable sources.