Valued client partners,

We at WebTitle/CLS wanted to offer an update in regards to our plans in the face of the ever-changing COVID-19 situation. But, we would be remiss if we didn’t also express that we hope all of your families are healthy and safe.

We are open for business! Most of our team is now working remotely both to comply state and federal  directives, and for the safety of our people. We still have team members at both our corporate headquarters at 755 Jefferson Road, Suite 300 and our downtown office at 36 West Main Street, Suite 51. We will continue to pick up recording packages and new orders.

A few changes will be necessary in the face of this crisis. Many New York State counties are currently still open and we are able to record normally or drop off recordings (Monroe County is currently accepting drop off recordings.)

As of March 23rd, in any county where e-recording is an available option, we will be utilizing that option. Major changes in the process include the following:

1)      All recording fees must be in a check separate from any title insurance premiums or abstract invoices. The check must be payable to WebTitle Agency, not the County Clerk and should be either an Attorney Trust or Escrow Account, Certified Check or Money Order.

2)      The check must include an additional $4.50 for each document being recorded. This is a fee that is paid to Simplifile to e-record the documents.

3)      All Monroe County recording packages will need to be received by 3:00 PM to be recorded the same day. We will need to deposit the recording fee check electronically before we can e-record.

4)      We will send all parties on the buckslip an e-mail with recording information. Please be sure that there is an e-mail address for each party on the buckslip.

For our creditor’s rights clients, e-recording is old news and you should expect business as usual. If you have questions about the e-recording process please contact Abstract Department Manager Steve Garvey () for Monroe County Recordings or Recording Department Manager Martino Centi () for Out of County Recordings.

For Title Insurance products, there has been some concern about the ability to insure a gap created by a County Clerk closure or an inability to search.

All three of our underwriters, Fidelity, First American and Old Republic have confirmed that they are dedicated to insuring the gap created by an initial and temporary inability to record.  When  a title report is appropriately issued by WebTitle, the policy will remain in force and in effect as if the transaction was properly recorded in the usual course of business.

If you have any questions about this, please contact our Chief Title Officer and company partner Matt Schuler ().

Finally, we wish to thank you for your continued partnership with WebTitle Agency / CLS. These are very uncertain times but we will get through this together. We are grateful for the relationships we have built over the years and we look forward to mutual success in the years to come. Please reach out to us if you have any questions and we will get them answered. Stay well. We look forward to a better tomorrow.