U.S. citizens abroad
Selling a U.S. house while you live abroad
A sale usually involves a deed, closing disclosures and several affidavits, and some of them need a notarized signature. If you are overseas, there are a few ways to handle that. A video session with a New Jersey notary is one of them.
Matthew Coleman, NJ Notary Public and NNA Certified Loan Signing Agent. Cranford, NJ. Fee confirmed before your session. Card charged only after it is complete. We aim to confirm within 15 minutes, 7am to 9pm.
When this comes up
Owners who moved overseas often keep a U.S. property for years. When it is time to sell, the title company sends a closing package that has to be signed, notarized and returned on a schedule.
Ask the receiving party first
The most common reason a notarized document is rejected is that nobody checked what the other side would accept. Before you book, find out:
- Does the title company or closing attorney accept a remote online notarization for the deed and the other documents? Some do and some insist on in-person or on original ink.
- Will the lender or buyer's side have its own requirements? The party that records the deed has the final say on format.
- Which documents are notarized and which only need a signature? Your closing contact can mark them.
- Would a power of attorney be simpler? If so, the title company usually has to approve the form first.
- Is the notary's location a problem for them? The notary is in New Jersey while you are elsewhere, and some offices have rules about that.
How it works
- Ask the receiving party. Find out in writing whether it accepts a remote notarization and what kind of notarial act it needs.
- Send us the document. We check that it fits New Jersey's rules for a signer outside the United States. Tell us where you will be.
- Book a video session. Bring an unexpired government photo ID, a device with a camera and microphone, and a steady connection. Check the clock in both places.
- Sign on camera. We verify your identity, you sign when told to, and the notary completes the notarization.
- Send it on. You receive the notarized document to deliver or upload as the receiving party requires.
When a New Jersey notary can act
- The notary must be physically in New Jersey. You can be anywhere.
- The document must relate to a U.S. matter: it is filed with or before a U.S. court, public official or entity under U.S. jurisdiction, or it involves U.S. property or a transaction substantially connected with the United States.
- The act must not be prohibited where you are.
- The receiving party decides whether it accepts the result.
Mistakes that get paperwork rejected
- Waiting until the closing week. Ask the title company which route they accept as soon as you have a contract.
- Signing the package early. Sign deeds and affidavits only on camera in front of the notary.
- Mixing up the roles. The notary verifies identity and the signature, and does not review the deal.
- Using a different name than the one on the deed. Names must match your ID and the title record.
- Forgetting a spouse or co-owner who also needs to sign.
Questions
Can I sign a deed by video from another country?
It depends on the document, the recording office and the title company. We can notarize for a signer abroad in many cases, but the title company and the county decide whether they will accept it. Ask them first.
Do I need to be in New Jersey to use your service?
No. The notary is in New Jersey and you can be anywhere, subject to the rules described on this site.
Can the notary tell me if my closing papers are right?
No. A notary cannot give legal advice. Your closing attorney or title company can.
MCC Solutions is not a law firm and a notary cannot give legal advice, choose the type of notarization for you, or tell you what a document means. Ask the office or person who will receive the document what it needs, and ask a lawyer about the content.