As the COVID-19 state of emergency continues, the New York State Department of Law, Real Estate Finance Bureau (REF) has instituted temporary paperless electronic submission (e-submission) policies for most initial submissions to REF. Similarly, REF has developed a secure electronic payment (e-payment) portal that will allow Sponsors or Principals to pay most REF filing fees electronically in lieu of using paper checks. Sponsors or Principals taking advantage of e-submission and e-payment do not need to physically mail paper copies (or digital copies on a CD-ROM, DVD, or USB flash drive, where typically required) of their submissions to REF, unless explicitly requested by REF staff. REF will continue to accept paper-based submissions and payments while these policies and procedures are in effect. However, paper-based submissions and payments may delay a submission’s processing and review due to REF’s limited in-office staffing during the COVID-19 state of emergency.

For more detailed information regarding REF’s e-submission policies and procedures, please refer to REF’s newly issued guidance document entitled Temporary Electronic Submission Policies and Procedures for Initial Submissions During COVID-19 State of Emergency, which can be accessed by clicking here.

For more detailed information regarding REF’s e-payment guidelines, please refer to REF’s newly issued guidance document entitled Guidelines for the Submission of Electronic Payments of Filing Fees during COVID-19 State of Emergency, which can be accessed by clicking here.

REF’s e-payment portal can be accessed directly by clicking on the following link: E-Payment Portal

Please note that REF also has updated its guidance document entitled Temporary Submission and Review Policies and Procedures Due to COVID-19 State of Emergency to account for e-submission and e-payment and provide several minor clarifications and additions to REF’s existing temporary submission and review policies and procedures. Read the updated guidance document here.