Bulletin: WI2024001

Dear Associates:

Please follow the guidelines in this bulletin.

Waupaca County, Wisconsin, experienced a ransomware attack on June 18, 2024. The Register of Deeds and the Assessor’s offices continue to be impacted by the attack. The county is still working diligently to resolve this issue but does not have an estimated resolution date. For closings scheduled at this time you should follow these guidelines and requirements:

As of the date of this bulletin, the land records cannot be adequately searched, and the county is not able to electronically record any new documents; no new orders may be closed at this time.

For transactions where a commitment was already issued prior to June 18, 2024, with a satisfactory title search, you may close under the following circumstances or as approved by your Stewart Title Guaranty Company (STGC) underwriter:

1. The policy will not exceed $3 million;
2. You secure STGC’s customary title affidavit or a similar affidavit from the current owner;
3. You also secure STGC’s GAP Indemnity Agreement (signed by both Buyer and Seller). The GAP indemnity agreement can be found on Virtual Underwriter and can be accessed by clicking STG GAP Indemnity.
4. The title examination does not show that the seller, purchaser, or borrower is subject to any outstanding involuntary or statutory liens (such as judgment liens, tax liens, or mechanic's liens) foreclosures, or other lawsuits;
5. The insured mortgage is not a construction mortgage and there has been no recent construction; and
6. You determine that the closing instructions of the proposed insured lender and purchaser provide, or as clarified, acknowledge that recording and the return of the original deed and mortgage will be delayed until the county or other recording office is open.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly. If you have any questions, including those about transactions that have recently closed or were scheduled to close soon, please call, or email your STGC underwriters to discuss.

For on-line viewing of this and other bulletins, please log onto www.vuwriter.com.