VGC California as International Buyer

[Royal Consort]

My broker originally told me that VGC wouldn't require any notarization if I wasn't financing but recent comments on these boards has made me confused. The issue is that we are in pretty significant lockdown in Australia at the moment and no notaries are legally allowed to operate. I have emailed the title agency but does anyone know if an international buyer needs to notarize/use an apostille on closing docs for California?

I understand that florida doesn't require it.

 

[DebbieB]

My broker originally told me that VGC wouldn't require any notarization if I wasn't financing but recent comments on these boards has made me confused. The issue is that we are in pretty significant lockdown in Australia at the moment and no notaries are legally allowed to operate. I have emailed the title agency but does anyone know if an international buyer needs to notarize/use an apostille on closing docs for California?

I understand that florida doesn't require it.

I bought a VGC resale in January, no financing, no notary. The seller had to have the deed transfer notarized.

 

[Wakey]

You may have misunderstood. If you are a foreign buyer, buying VGC from a US resident, all is good I understand.
The thread was about buying from foreign sellers.
If you are buying from a foreign seller (wherever you are) and the contract is for a Florida property, and the foreign seller is in a Hague convention country (such as UK) then all is good- no apostile and notarisation required.
If you are buying VGC from a foreign seller (even if US citizen) then California does not follow Hague and as a result that seller (not buyer) will require notarisation and an apostile.


Summary- if foreign and buying from a US citizen anywhere- no problems as I understand it even with California DVC.
If buying a Florida DVC from a foreign seller check they are in a Hague country and no problem.
If they are not in a Hague country, notarisaton and apostile requires by the seller.
If buying a California DVC from a foreign seller, seller will have to notarise and get an apostile.
In all cases buyer never has to notarise anything- just sign some docs, now often done electronically on the likes of Docusign.