One of the big events of 2003 was the enactment of the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act in November (to become effective in February 2004) which will allow electronic document recording in Massachusetts. It should work like this: A lawyer will scan an already signed document then logon to a secure website, select the type of document she wishes to record and enter all names, addresses and other information that would ordinarily be entered at the recording counter. With a few more clicks, the website will transmit this recording package (the document image and associated data) to the registry where it will flow into the registry’s computer as if it were entered at the recording counter. Payment will be done electronically as well. Once this process catches on, it will radically change the way the registry operates.
