Closing while out of country

[Po Chan]

We are buying a property in Tennessee, the targeted closing date is 6/1.  We here refers to my mother and I, where my mother is the main borrower.  She recently traveled to Taiwan and will be in quarantine as is required for all travelers.

Today I learned that the title company requires my mother to be physically present during the closing.  Since she is in Taiwan this means closing will need to be done in the US embassy, according to the title company.  On the US embassy's website it states taht notarization service requires advance appointment, however when I try to schedule an appoint on US embassy's website, there is not a single available time slot.  Given the recent covid 19 outbreak in Taiwan, there is risk where Taiwan will go into lock down by the time we are scheduled to close.  If that happens, it could be very difficulty to complete the transaction in the US embassy, certainty impossible without delay.  It seems that having closing occur at the US embassy may not be a viable option.

My question is:  Is the requirement to have the closing done at the US embassy detected by state or federal regulation or it is some arbitrary decisions make up by the title company or closing attorney?

A quick google search shows that Tennessee does allow online notary signing, this would seems to be a much better option, can this be done?  If yes, what can I do to convince the title company for this to happen?

[Chris Davidson]

@Eric Fung it will depend on. Title company just let them know ahead of time. I think it cost 200$ and I had a check mailed to me next day air.