Completing TRID Old School: Can Disclosures Be Completed By Hand?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures (TRID) rule significantly impacts the closing process and how data will need to be exchanged to complete the forms. While new online platforms and software programs have been developed to aid data sharing, the rule does allow for the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure to be completed by hand if specific requirements are met.

Answering common TRID questions during a webinar earlier this year, CFPB staff indicated that under the rule there is no requirement that the settlement agent or creditor use a computer, typewriter or other word processor to complete the forms. The rule says that information and amounts required to be disclosed may be hand printed, “provided the person produces clear and legible text” and complies with the required formatting, including replicating bold font where required.

CFPB staff said there is no specific font size requirement, but noted that the rule requires the disclosures be completed “clearly and conspicuously.” The font sizes and labels on the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure may not be changed, however.

Here’s what the rule specifically says about manually filling out the forms:

Comment 37(o)(5)-2 (for Loan Estimate)

Section 1026.37(o) does not require the creditor to use a computer, typewriter, or other word processor to complete the disclosure form. The information and amounts required to be disclosed by § 1026.37 on form H–24 of appendix H to this part may be filled in by hand printing or using any other method, provided the information is clear and legible and complies with the formatting required by form H–24, including replicating bold font where required.

Comment 38(t)(5)-2 (for Closing Disclosure)

The creditor, or settlement agent preparing the form, under § 1026.19(f)(1)(v) is not required to use a computer, typewriter, or other word processor to complete the disclosure required by § 1026.38. The creditor or settlement agent may fill in information and amounts required to be disclosed by § 1026.38 on form H–25 of appendix H to this part by hand printing or using any other method, provided the person produces clear and legible text and uses the formatting required by § 1026.38, including replicating bold font where required.