Can the ALTA CD be signed electronically?

Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state UETA laws, electronic signatures are generally enforceable if they demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and are retained in a reproducible record.

Are notarization or witnesses required?

Not all ALTA CD Forms require notarization, but deeds and certain closing documents often do; witness counts and notary requirements vary by state and document type.

What happens if a payoff amount is wrong?

Incorrect payoff amounts typically delay funding until reconciled; confirm payoffs close to funding and allow time for last-minute adjustments to avoid aborted closings.

Is RON acceptable for closing documents?

Many states permit Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and recording of sessions, but RON acceptance varies; verify state notary rules before relying on RON for recording.

How long must I retain signed ALTA CDs?

Retention commonly follows title and escrow practice; keep originals for the transaction plus at least three years for tax records (IRC §6501(a)) and longer for HIPAA-related items (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

What do I do when parties use different names?

Resolve name mismatches before closing by confirming legal names on IDs and updating the deed or closing paperwork; unresolved discrepancies can prevent recording.

ALTA CD Form

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ALTA CD FORM

This ALTA Closing Disclosure (ALTA CD) provides a detailed, transaction-level statement of costs, credits, prorations and distributions for the real estate closing described below. The parties and the settlement agent certify that the items listed reflect the agreed-upon adjustments and disbursements to be made at closing.

Transaction and Parties

Seller / Transferor Buyer / Transferee Settlement Agent

Property Identification

Property Address:

Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

Transaction Financial Summary

Purchase Price: $

Earnest Money / Deposit Held By: Amount: $

Financing Contingency (if any):

Proposed Closing Date: Possession Date:

Settlement Charges and Disbursements

Buyer Charges (Paid at Closing)

Loan Origination / Fees Title Charges to Buyer Escrows / Prepaids

Seller Charges (Paid at Closing)

Title Charges to Seller Payoffs / Liens to be Paid Adjustments and Prorations (Taxes, HOA, Utilities)

Title and Recording

Title Evidence Provided:

Recording Charges: $

Disclosures and Representations

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Yes No

Known Mold or Water Intrusion: Yes No

Prior Material Damage or Repairs (structural, fire, flood):

Default, Remedies, and Indemnities

In the event of default by either party, the non-defaulting party shall be entitled to pursue all remedies at law or in equity, including specific performance, damages, and recovery of reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Any payments held in escrow shall be disbursed in accordance with the terms of this ALTA CD and the underlying contract of sale unless otherwise required by law or a recorded lien.

Settlement Agent Certification

The settlement agent certifies that the charges, credits, prorations and disbursements shown on this ALTA CD are true and correct to the best of the agent's knowledge, and that funds will be disbursed in accordance with the closing instructions and applicable law. The settlement agent further certifies that all required recording and title instruments will be delivered as necessary to effect the transfer of title.

Settlement Agent Name Settlement Agent Contact

Governing Law and Entire Agreement

This ALTA CD shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the property is located. This document, together with the contract of sale and any recorded documents referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to settlement and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements relating to the settlement matters addressed in this statement.

Additional Instructions / Escrow Holdbacks

Buyer Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Seller Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the ALTA CD Form Is and When it’s Used

The ALTA CD Form is a standardized closing disclosure template created by the American Land Title Association to summarize settlement costs, title charges, payoffs, prorations, and the distribution of funds at a real estate closing. It is used by title companies, closing agents, lenders, and escrow officers to present itemized closing costs to buyers, sellers, and lenders in purchase and refinance transactions, and to create an auditable record of funds disbursed at consummation.

Why a Proper ALTA CD Form Matters

A complete and accurate ALTA CD Form ensures consistent disclosure of settlement costs, reduces closing delays, and provides an auditable settlement record for title insurance and escrow processes. It helps align lender, title, and buyer expectations and supports post-closing reconciliation.

Who Typically Prepares and Receives the ALTA CD Form

Title companies, settlement agents, lenders, and closing attorneys commonly prepare the ALTA CD Form before closing to coordinate fees and fund flows.

Title and escrow officers — prepare the form, reconcile payoffs, and manage closing statements for all parties.
Lenders and mortgage servicers — verify loan costs, prepaid items, and required borrower disclosures.
Buyers and sellers — receive the final itemization of closing costs, prorations, and net proceeds.

Recipients use the ALTA CD Form for last-mile verification prior to funding and for the official record after consummation.

Core Sections Found on a Professional ALTA CD Form

A well-constructed ALTA CD Form is organized to present funds flow, itemized charges, lender and title instructions, and settlement calculations in a clear sequence so each party can verify amounts before closing.

Settlement Summary

A top-line view of total funds required, seller proceeds, and buyer payments; used to confirm net disbursement and funding needs at closing.

Title Charges

Itemizes title insurance premiums, endorsements, exam fees, and closing agent charges so the title company can substantiate policy costs and escrow disbursements.

Loan Payoffs

Lists existing liens and payoff amounts to be satisfied from closing proceeds; essential for clearing title and recording reconveyances.

Prorations & Adjustments

Shows property tax, HOA, and utility prorations between buyer and seller based on contract dates and recording timestamps.

Disbursement Instructions

Provides wired-payee details, order of lien satisfaction, and any special payee notes needed to release funds properly.

Signatures & Acknowledgements

Designates required signatures, notarizations, and witness lines to validate the transaction and prepare documents for recording.

Required Fields and Essential Data Elements

Property Legal Description: Full parcel description

Buyer and Seller Names: Legal names as on ID

Loan Information: Lender, loan number

Settlement Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

Title Policy Details: Premium and endorsement lines

Wiring Instructions: Account name and routing

Step-by-Step: Preparing an ALTA CD Form

Complete the ALTA CD Form in a consistent order to minimize rework: gather documents, enter payoffs, reconcile fees, obtain signatures, then record.

01

Gather inputs: Collect contract, loan terms, tax info.
02

Populate charges: Enter title, escrow, and lender fees.
03

Reconcile totals: Compare sums, verify wire amounts.
04

Execute records: Obtain signatures, notarize if required.

Configuring an Online ALTA CD Workflow

Set up a digital workflow that enforces required fields, routes approvals, and preserves an audit trail to meet lender and title company requirements.

Field validation rules	Require names, dates, and amounts before advancing
Routing order	Title agent → lender reviewer → buyer/seller
Signer authentication	Use email or SMS-based verification
Conditional fields	Show pay-off lines only when applicable
Audit trail retention	Capture timestamps, IP, and actions

Where to Send, Submit, and File the ALTA CD Form

After completion, distribute the ALTA CD Form to all closing participants and retain a signed copy for title and escrow records; route originals for recording where appropriate.

Buyers and Sellers: Deliver final signed copy for personal records
Lender/Servicer: Provide for loan funding and underwriting
Title Company: Keep original in escrow file
County Recorder: Submit associated deed or mortgage for recording

Digital Delivery and eSignature Considerations

Use platforms that support secure document formats, audit trails, and industry integrations to reduce manual handoffs and maintain compliance.

Supported formats: PDF and PDF/A preferred
Third-party integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365
Authentication options: Email, SMS, or KBA

Ensure the chosen platform can export signed PDFs, preserve tamper-evident signatures, and retain full audit logs for regulatory and underwriting review.

Typical Timelines and Deadlines Around Closing

Timelines vary by lender and jurisdiction; plan for final reviews, required pre-closing disclosures, and recording windows to avoid funding delays.

Pre-closing disclosure window:

Some loan types require a 3-business-day borrower review

Final reconciliation:

Complete fee reconciliation at least 24–48 hours before funding

Funding cutoff:

Wire and bank cutoffs often occur midday on closing day

Recording timeframe:

Submit deeds/mortgages same-day when possible

Post-closing settlements:

Title company issues final closing statement within days

Key Processing Milestones from Contract to Recording

Track these sequential milestones to ensure funds flow, document execution, and recording occur without interruption.

01

Contract Execution

Purchase contract signed and escrow deposit received

02

Delivery of ALTA CD

Draft distributed for review and cost verification

03

Signing and Funding

Parties sign, lender releases funds

04

Recording and Disbursement

Deed recorded; proceeds disbursed to seller

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the ALTA CD

Using inconsistent party names between contract, deed, and closing documents delays recording and title issuance.
Entering outdated payoff amounts causes shortages and can postpone funding if last-minute corrections are needed.
Omitting wire instructions or providing incorrect account details creates disbursement errors and fraud exposure.
Failing to apply prorations or tax adjustments correctly results in post-closing disputes and reconciliation work.

Risks and Potential Consequences of Errors

Funding Delay: Delays or aborted closings

Title Rejection: Policy issuance postponed

Regulatory Exposure: Lender compliance findings

Financial Loss: Wire misdirects or shortages

Reputation Damage: Agent and firm liability

Increased Costs: Rush fees and corrective filings

eSignature Vendor Comparison for ALTA CD Workflows

Common platform features and price points for eSignature solutions used to execute and distribute ALTA CD Forms. signNow is listed first per comparison conventions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes (select plans)	Available on plans	Available on plans	Available on plans	Limited
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No limit	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Real-World Examples of ALTA CD Use

Examples show how title professionals and property managers use digital ALTA CD Forms to speed closings and reduce errors.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin streamlined property closings using online forms and signatures to avoid in-person meetings.

The approach reduced turnaround on signed closings.
The firm reported improved compliance and the ability to close remotely while maintaining a full audit trail of signers and timestamps.

Optica Ventures

Optica Ventures implemented standardized closing templates for title and escrow staff to reduce manual entry.

Templates cut repetitive tasks and errors.
This allowed the team to focus on underwriting exceptions and reconciliations while maintaining consistent closing statements across transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ALTA CD Form

Answers to common questions about eSigning, notarization, deadlines, and recordkeeping for ALTA CD Forms in U.S. real estate transactions.

Need help? Contact support

Can the ALTA CD be signed electronically?
Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state UETA laws, electronic signatures are generally enforceable if they demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and are retained in a reproducible record.
Are notarization or witnesses required?
Not all ALTA CD Forms require notarization, but deeds and certain closing documents often do; witness counts and notary requirements vary by state and document type.
What happens if a payoff amount is wrong?
Incorrect payoff amounts typically delay funding until reconciled; confirm payoffs close to funding and allow time for last-minute adjustments to avoid aborted closings.
Is RON acceptable for closing documents?
Many states permit Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and recording of sessions, but RON acceptance varies; verify state notary rules before relying on RON for recording.
How long must I retain signed ALTA CDs?
Retention commonly follows title and escrow practice; keep originals for the transaction plus at least three years for tax records (IRC §6501(a)) and longer for HIPAA-related items (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
What do I do when parties use different names?
Resolve name mismatches before closing by confirming legal names on IDs and updating the deed or closing paperwork; unresolved discrepancies can prevent recording.

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