COVID-19 Sparks E-Submission Surge

The pandemic seems to be far from over, and there are still many unknowns we are all facing. However, as the State of Iowa has lifted restrictions, county offices have reopened to the public, each with their own set of screening protocols and procedures in place.

It’s also important to slow down and reflect on all skills and knowledge we’ve gained because of these uncertain times and to acknowledge that we are better prepared for future crises because of it.

Recording Is Essential

Early on during the COVID-19 crisis, Gov. Reynolds stated that services provided by county recorders are essential and recorders have a “central role” in the real estate industry and the larger economy. She noted that the discontinuation of these services would have “a devastating impact on Iowa.” County recorders made various accommodations for their customers, some by providing access to their offices by appointment, others by helping with land record searches over the phone or via email. Circumstances differed by county, but it is important to note that every Iowa county has continued to provide recording services throughout the pandemic.

Technology Is Our Ally

For years the Iowa county recorders have successfully run an electronic land records management system. The pandemic pushed us all to take our technological skills to the next level. From counties handling increased e-submission volume and finding ways to serve customers old and new to customers learning a new system, we were all pushed to make technology our ally throughout the pandemic. The ability to perform our daily work functions remotely has also proved to be a yet another valuable skill that will serve us beyond the pandemic.

Iowa Has a Unique Advantage

Iowa Land Records was established over 15 years ago, and because the system is controlled and managed by the Iowa county recorders it was easier to work together collectively to ensure that county recorders were open for business and didn’t miss a beat. Being technology leaders and having one system for all counties has served the State well during this time. The State of Iowa is fortunate to have a group of forward-thinking leaders that ensured that that real estate transactions were able to continue.

Although there are still some uncertainties ahead, most can say with confidence that although the pandemic seriously impacted them in several ways, the lessons learned during this time are truly invaluable and will only make us all better for the years to come.