> Actual digital signatures, tied to a mechanism that voids the signature if the document is modified or if a derivative product is generated from it is a potential solution, but I personally don't agree with CAD blocks with seal and/or simple scanned signatures, which I feel are relinquishing control of your work product and opening yourself to downstream liability and abuse of the document.
I totally agree, Gunter. There is a vast difference between an "electronic image" and a "digital signature." I do, however, use an "electronic image" as part of my "digital signature" which gives, in my opinion, the best of both worlds. Anybody can forge the electronic image. A digital signature is nearly impossible to forge.
JBS
If you have documents which are to record concurrently and want to cross reference, then you will leave a blank right up until the time that the items are recorded, and then the blanks are filled in at the County Recorder's counter.
This is standard practice for subdivisions for which separate easements will be recorded simultaneously with the subdivision, or as JBS stated, when you have a Boundary Line Agreement or a Lot Line Adjustment per the survey as shown on the RS being filed at the same time.
In CA, the client is not responsible for filing maps. Maps go to the County Surveyor for review, and upon completion of the review, the CS calls for the mylar, signs/stamps the County Surveyor's Statement, and then takes it directly to the Recorder to be filed. Most CSs will ensure that they have the other documents to be recorded before filing the map, and then fill in the blanks with the recording references. Sometimes, someone from the title company, or the surveyor may come in to fill in the blanks and file everything.
Either way, unless the CS, the surveyor of record, and the title company are all there when the map and related documents file, someone is technically doing a portion of another's responsibility. The surveyor is statutorily responsible to ensure that all data for the intelligent interpretation of the survey is included on the map. The CS is statutorily responsible to file the map with the Recorder's Office. The title company is responsible for ensuring that all other documents necessary to the transaction are filed.
I always have a copy of the map sent back to me once it's filed. If there are other documents recording concurrently, I have copies of those sent. If there are any mistakes made in filling in a blank on my map, I then have the opportunity to file a Certificate of Correction. So far, that has not been necessary.
It is not a question of ethics unless you have no intention of ever following up on it.
There is a case in Seattle where the client printed out an old version of a plat, that the surveyor refused to sign and record until he was paid, and recorded it without the signature. Very ugly!!!
Well, this particular plat is for a merger of two parcels into one parcel.
The problem is the landowner did not have a deed for one of the parcels yet, and they wanted me to release the merger plat with a blank spot for the deed reference so they could fill it in at the clerk's office when they recorded the parcel deed.
This was not a subdivision plat that needed blanks for signatures and what not.
