How our patents are moving digital closings forward

When people hear the word ‘patent,’ they often think of dense legal documents. But patents also tell a story about innovation. They show where an industry is headed and who is helping to move it forward. 

DocMagic^®’s two recent U.S. patents highlight our role in shaping the future of digital mortgages: one where closings are faster, easier, and truly paper-free. 

Turning static PDFs into e-ready files 

Mortgage closings have historically relied on stacks of paper. Even as the industry moved toward digital, third-party documents like title forms or state-specific disclosures often arrived as static PDFs. Before they could be used in an electronic closing, someone had to comb through each page, mark signature spots, and ensure everything lined up. It was tedious, error-prone work that slowed the entire transaction. 

That’s where our innovations come in. 

The first patent protects our method of determining similar loan documents. This technology can look at a document it has never seen before, compare it to patterns from thousands of prior documents, and instantly recognize what it is. 

The second patent covers enabling electronic loan documents. In practice, this means automatically tagging those documents with all the right signature, initial, and notary fields so they’re ready to be signed electronically. 

Together, these patents describe a way to take any third-party PDF—no matter the source—and transform it into a fully digital, e-ready document. 

Patented tech in action with AutoPrep 

One of the best places to see these inventions at work is our AutoPrep™ solution for preparing documents for eClosing. 

Here’s what happens when a lender or settlement agent uploads a PDF into AutoPrep. 

First, AutoPrep uses a combination of artificial intelligence, optical character recognition (OCR), and patented technologies to read the document like a human would, only faster. It recognizes text, layout, and patterns that reveal what type of document it is. 

Within seconds, AutoPrep pinpoints every signature line, initial box, and notary stamp area. The system then assigns those spots to the correct party (such as borrower, co-borrower, lender, or notary) so that when the document opens in an eClosing platform, everything is ready for electronic execution. 

Users get a quick review screen showing all identified fields. If needed, they can drag-and-drop extra tags or move them around with a simple editor. Once approved, the document is instantly e-enabled for signing in DocMagic’s Total eClose™ platform. 

What used to take hours now happens in seconds. 

Shaping the future of closings 

Speed is only part of the story. By automatically classifying and tagging documents, DocMagic reduces human error, strengthens security, and ensures compliance. Every signature and notary field is accounted for, creating a clean audit trail. 

It also levels the playing field. Whether you’re a top-10 lender or a boutique shop, you don’t need armies of staff to prep documents for digital closings. The technology does the heavy lifting, freeing teams to focus on serving borrowers. 

For borrowers, it means a closing experience that feels modern. No flipping through 200-page packets, no missed signatures, no last-minute printing. Just a straightforward digital signing process that matches the way people expect to transact today. 

DocMagic’s patented methods are already powering digital closings today, and their impact extends far beyond AutoPrep. These core technologies can be applied across workflows, platforms, and even industries outside of mortgage lending. 

The bottom line: our patents aren’t just pieces of paper. They’re proof that the future of mortgage closings is here, and that it’s faster, smarter, and fully digital.