County to Accept Electronic Documents

Snohomish County currently uses Austin-based Hart InterCivic's "Anthem" software to create electronic images of official public records, including land titles and related records, and to store and retrieve them the documents. The county is now set to begin using Hart's "Universal eRecording Counter," which works with Anthem to enable the receipt and automated processing of electronic documents through the recording system.

The term "eRecording" refers to the electronic submission, receipt, indexing and archiving of public records. Title companies and others involved in real estate transactions are increasing their use of these electronic documents, but are not all using the same format. The County chose Hart's product because it will receive all documents that conform to standards being created by the Property Industry Records Association, a professional organization representing counties and title that is developing standards to govern the transmission and processing of these electronic documents.

The county's initial use of Hart's "Anthem" system was part of a pilot project put together by the Washington State Electronic Recording Task Force. The task force is developing standards and necessary enabling legislation for the electronic transmission of documents and other data into Auditor's offices recording systems throughout Washington State.

"We realized the enormous potential of eRecording during the pilot with Hart," said Carolyn Ableman, Chief Deputy Auditor, Snohomish County. "With document volumes growing, the system will help us to increase the efficiency, timeliness, and accuracy of the recording process, while at the same time reducing the cost."