Fannie Mae Removes RON Video Recording Requirement: What Servicers Need to Know

Fannie Mae has updated its Servicing Guide to remove a notable operational burden: the requirement to retain video recordings of remote online notarization (RON) ceremonies. Effective for loans closed using RON on or after May 6, 2026, servicers no longer need to store or cause to be stored the video file of the notarial ceremony. This change, announced in SVC-2026-04, aligns RON oversight with modern data retention practices while still safeguarding the integrity of electronic closings.

For servicers, this is a welcome reduction in storage costs and privacy risk, but it does not mean an end to RON compliance obligations. Instead, the focus shifts to the RON audit trail and adherence to industry platform standards. Understanding what’s changed and what remains is essential to keep your servicing operations compliant and efficient.

What Changed? – The End of Video Retention

Previously, Fannie Mae’s Servicing Guide required sellers and servicers to maintain the complete video recording of each RON notarial ceremony. This practice created significant data storage demands and raised privacy concerns, as videos contained sensitive personal information. The updated policy removes that requirement entirely.

Now, servicers are no longer obligated to keep the video recording in any form. This change is effective immediately for all RON closings as of May 6, 2026. It does not affect loans closed before that date—those still must have their videos retained per prior policy.

This shift simplifies post-closing file management. Servicers can delete or avoid collecting the bulky video files, lowering storage costs and reducing the surface area for data breaches. However, the duty to preserve evidence of the notarial act has not disappeared—it has simply been redirected to the audit trail.

What Remains: Audit Trail and Platform Standards

While the video is gone, the RON audit trail remains a critical compliance component. Servicers must retain the audit trail as part of the electronic loan file and transfer it to any subsequent servicer. This audit trail must capture the same evidentiary weight as the video would have, documenting each step of the notarial process.

Key requirements now include:

• Audit trail retention: The RON audit trail must be kept for the life of the loan and be transferable to any subsequent servicer, consistent with existing electronic records and attribution requirements.
• Platform compliance: Lenders must verify that the RON platform used for loan closings complies with the MISMO Remote Online Notarization Standards Version 2.0 (Draft), except for the Identification and Authentication section. This ensures industry-wide consistency and security.
• Identity verification flexibility: Lenders can verify the signer’s identity using either technical methods (e.g., credential analysis of a government-issued ID plus knowledge-based authentication) or non‑technical methods (e.g., a credible witness), as long as they follow industry practices.

By standardizing on the MISMO RON framework, Fannie Mae provides a clear, technology‑neutral benchmark for servicers and their RON vendors. If your current platform already complies with these standards, the transition should be straightforward. If not, you may need to switch providers or request upgrades.

Servicer compliance steps

To align with the new rule:

1. Review and update internal policies to remove any requirement for video storage and to explicitly require audit trail retention for RON loans.
2. Confirm that your RON technology partner is compliant with MISMO RON Standards v2.0. Request and retain documentation of that compliance.
3. Ensure your loan file transfer processes include the RON audit trail and that the audit trail is readily accessible for Fannie Mae reviews or transfer to a subservicer or successor servicer.
4. Train closing and post‑closing teams on the new identity verification options and on handling audit trail data rather than video files.
5. Document all procedures and update your compliance management system accordingly. Regulatory change tracking tools, like those offered by Reglith, can automate monitoring for such policy updates and help you maintain an audit‑ready posture.

Identity Verification Methods

Fannie Mae now permits two categories of identity verification for RON closings:

• Technical methods: Credential analysis of a government‑issued identification (e.g., driver’s license) combined with knowledge‑based authentication (KBA) questions drawn from public or proprietary data.
• Non‑technical methods: Use of a credible witness who personally knows the signer and can vouch for their identity, consistent with industry practice.

This dual approach offers flexibility, especially for borrowers who may struggle with KBA. However, servicers should note that the lender—not the servicer—typically selects and vouches for the identity verification method at closing. Servicers must still accept and manage the resulting audit trail, so understanding which method was used can help in quality control and fraud detection.

Servicer Responsibilities Post-Change

Beyond audit trail management, servicers have ongoing obligations:

• Document transfer: When a loan is transferred, the RON audit trail must follow the loan to the new servicer. Check your transfer protocols to ensure seamless handoff.
• Electronic records compliance: The audit trail must satisfy general electronic recordkeeping requirements under Fannie Mae’s guides and applicable law. This includes integrity, attribution, and retrievability.
• Vendor oversight: If you rely on a subservicer, confirm they are aware of the change and have updated their processes accordingly. Subservicer access to custodial account data may also require new forms, as Fannie Mae recently introduced the Custodial Bank Account Management application (see SVC-2026-04 for details on Forms 1013, 1014, and 101).

For guidance on broader servicing compliance obligations, including RESPA and Reg Z rules, see our mortgage servicing compliance overview.

Key Takeaways

• Video retention is eliminated for RON closings on or after May 6, 2026; servicers must no longer require or store these recordings.
• Audit trail retention is mandatory—servicers must keep the RON audit trail as part of the electronic loan file and pass it to any successor servicer.
• RON platforms must comply with MISMO RON Standards v2.0, excluding the Identification and Authentication section.
• Identity verification can be technical (credential analysis + KBA) or non‑technical (credible witness), giving lenders flexibility at closing.
• Update policies, procedures, and vendor management promptly to reflect the change and avoid compliance gaps.
• Leverage regulatory change tools to stay ahead of evolving RON requirements and other servicing guide updates.