Industry Guide: Real Estate & Title

This guide walks through a complete Docyard setup for a title and escrow company. Docyard’s four stakeholder classes map naturally to real estate workflows:

Docyard Role	Real Estate Persona	Access Pattern
Mortgagee	Lender / Mortgage Servicer	Bulk API for closing docs
Agent	Title Agent / Escrow Officer	Portal + bulk download
Policyholder	Buyer / Property Owner	Self-service portal
Auditor	Compliance Auditor (RESPA/TRID)	Time-boxed read-only

Step 1: Create a Dock

Create a dock for the title company:

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Pinnacle Title & Escrow",
    "domain": "pinnacletitle.com",
    "legalName": "Pinnacle Title & Escrow LLC",
    "businessType": "llc",
    "businessEmail": "[email protected]"
  }'

Step 2: Upload Documents

Upload title and closing documents. Docyard computes a SHA-256 hash and deduplicates automatically.

# Upload a closing disclosure
curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../artifacts/upload \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -F "[email protected]"

# Upload a deed of trust
curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../artifacts/upload \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -F "[email protected]"

Tag artifacts with real estate metadata for policy routing:

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../artifacts \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "filename": "closing-disclosure-FILE-2025-10042.pdf",
    "metadata": {
      "file_number": "FILE-2025-10042",
      "document_type": "closing-disclosure",
      "property_address": "1847 Maple Drive, Pasadena, CA 91101",
      "closing_date": "2025-03-15"
    }
  }'

Step 3: Add Recipients (All Four Personas)

Lender / Mortgage Servicer — Bulk API access

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../recipients \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Pacific West Mortgage",
    "email": "[email protected]",
    "stakeholderClass": "mortgagee",
    "identifiers": {
      "lender_id": "PWM-2200",
      "file_number": "FILE-2025-10042"
    }
  }'

Title Agent / Escrow Officer — Portal + bulk download

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../recipients \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "David Park — Pinnacle Title Group",
    "email": "[email protected]",
    "stakeholderClass": "agent",
    "identifiers": {
      "agent_license": "TL-CA-88210",
      "file_number": "FILE-2025-10042"
    }
  }'

Buyer / Property Owner — Single retrieval via portal

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../recipients \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Maria Espinoza",
    "email": "[email protected]",
    "stakeholderClass": "policyholder",
    "identifiers": {
      "phone": "+1-213-555-0198",
      "date_of_birth": "1990-08-22",
      "file_number": "FILE-2025-10042"
    }
  }'

Compliance Auditor — Time-boxed read-only

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../recipients \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "KPMG — Nathan Brooks",
    "email": "[email protected]",
    "stakeholderClass": "auditor",
    "identifiers": {
      "badge_id": "AUD-KPMG-2025-0119",
      "nda_hash": "sha256:b4f9a2c8d1e7f3a0..."
    }
  }'

Step 4: Create Access Policies

Lender bulk access policy

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../policies \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Lender Bulk API Access",
    "recipe": "{\"stakeholderClass\":\"mortgagee\",\"artifactTypes\":[\"closing-disclosure\",\"deed-of-trust\",\"settlement-statement\",\"title-policy\"],\"auth\":{\"factors\":[\"shared_passphrase\",\"tls_certificate\"],\"tls\":{\"require_mutual\":true}},\"access\":{\"method\":\"bulk_api\",\"max_batch_size\":10000},\"match\":{\"identifiers\":[\"lender_id\",\"file_number\"]}}"
  }'

Title agent portal access policy

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../policies \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Title Agent Portal & Download",
    "recipe": "{\"stakeholderClass\":\"agent\",\"artifactTypes\":[\"title-commitment\",\"closing-disclosure\",\"deed-of-trust\",\"settlement-statement\",\"escrow-instructions\",\"title-search\"],\"auth\":{\"factors\":[\"webauthn\"],\"webauthn\":{\"challenge_type\":\"platform_or_cross_platform\"}},\"access\":{\"method\":[\"portal\",\"bulk_download\"]},\"match\":{\"identifiers\":[\"agent_license\",\"file_number\"]}}"
  }'

Buyer self-service policy

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../policies \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Buyer Self-Service Portal",
    "recipe": "{\"stakeholderClass\":\"policyholder\",\"artifactTypes\":[\"closing-disclosure\",\"deed\",\"settlement-statement\",\"title-policy\"],\"auth\":{\"factors\":[\"sms_otp\"],\"otp\":{\"delivery\":\"sms\",\"code_length\":6,\"ttl_seconds\":300}},\"access\":{\"method\":\"portal\",\"max_concurrent_downloads\":1},\"match\":{\"identifiers\":[\"email\",\"date_of_birth\",\"file_number\"]}}"
  }'

RESPA/TRID compliance audit policy

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../policies \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Q1 2025 RESPA/TRID Compliance Audit",
    "recipe": "{\"stakeholderClass\":\"auditor\",\"artifactTypes\":[\"*\"],\"auth\":{\"factors\":[\"badge_id\",\"nda_hash\"],\"nda\":{\"hash_algorithm\":\"sha256\",\"require_match\":true}},\"access\":{\"method\":\"portal\",\"read_only\":true,\"download_enabled\":false},\"match\":{\"identifiers\":[\"badge_id\",\"nda_hash\"]},\"constraints\":{\"time_window\":{\"start\":\"2025-01-15T00:00:00Z\",\"end\":\"2025-03-15T00:00:00Z\"},\"auto_expire\":true}}"
  }'

Publish the lender policy to production:

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/docks/dock_01HQ3K.../policies/pol_01HQ3P.../publish \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "stage": "production" }'

Step 5: Generate Lender Passphrase

The lender’s policy requires a shared passphrase. Generate one:

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/recipients/rcp_01HQ3N.../secrets \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Pacific West Mortgage — API Passphrase",
    "expiresInDays": 90
  }'

The secret value is returned only once. Securely transmit it to the lender. Docyard stores only the SHA-256 hash and cannot recover the plaintext.

Step 6: Lender Retrieves via Bulk API

The lender creates a bulk retrieval job for closing documents:

curl -X POST https://api.docyard.io/v1/retrieval/jobs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "dockId": "dock_01HQ3K...",
    "recipientId": "rcp_01HQ3N...",
    "metadata": { "document_type": "closing-disclosure" },
    "sinceTimestamp": "2025-01-01T00:00:00.000Z"
  }'

Fetch results with signed download URLs:

curl https://api.docyard.io/v1/retrieval/jobs/job_01HQ3Q.../results \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Compliance Notes: RESPA/TRID

Real estate document distribution must comply with RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) and TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure) requirements:

Closing Disclosure timing: TRID requires buyers receive the Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing. Docyard’s audit log provides timestamped proof of delivery.
Settlement statement access: All parties to a transaction must have access to the settlement statement. Use per-file-number policies to scope access appropriately.
Audit trail: RESPA Section 8 anti-kickback provisions require documented paper trails. Docyard’s immutable audit log captures every access event.
Document retention: Title companies must retain closing documents for a minimum period (varies by state). Docyard’s artifact retention is configurable per dock.

Persona Summary

Persona	Real Estate Role	Auth Factors	Access Method	Key Identifiers
Mortgagee	Lender / Servicer	Passphrase + mTLS	Bulk API	`lender_id`, `file_number`
Agent	Title Agent / Escrow Officer	WebAuthn	Portal + bulk download	`agent_license`, `file_number`
Policyholder	Buyer / Property Owner	DOB + SMS OTP	Portal (single retrieval)	`email`, `date_of_birth`, `file_number`
Auditor	Compliance Auditor	Badge ID + NDA hash	Portal (read-only, no download)	`badge_id`, `nda_hash`

Next Steps

Verify your domain to enable the branded recipient portal
Import recipients in bulk via CSV
Simulate policies before publishing
Read the full Policy Recipes guide for advanced patterns

Guides

Industry Guides

Industry Guide: Real Estate & Title

Industry Guide: Real Estate & Title

Step 1: Create a Dock

Step 2: Upload Documents

Step 3: Add Recipients (All Four Personas)

Lender / Mortgage Servicer — Bulk API access

Title Agent / Escrow Officer — Portal + bulk download

Buyer / Property Owner — Single retrieval via portal

Compliance Auditor — Time-boxed read-only

Step 4: Create Access Policies

Lender bulk access policy

Title agent portal access policy

Buyer self-service policy

RESPA/TRID compliance audit policy

Step 5: Generate Lender Passphrase

Step 6: Lender Retrieves via Bulk API

Compliance Notes: RESPA/TRID

Persona Summary

Next Steps

Guides

Industry Guides

​Industry Guide: Real Estate & Title

​Step 1: Create a Dock

​Step 2: Upload Documents

​Step 3: Add Recipients (All Four Personas)

​Lender / Mortgage Servicer — Bulk API access

​Title Agent / Escrow Officer — Portal + bulk download

​Buyer / Property Owner — Single retrieval via portal

​Compliance Auditor — Time-boxed read-only

​Step 4: Create Access Policies

​Lender bulk access policy

​Title agent portal access policy

​Buyer self-service policy

​RESPA/TRID compliance audit policy

​Step 5: Generate Lender Passphrase

​Step 6: Lender Retrieves via Bulk API

​Compliance Notes: RESPA/TRID

​Persona Summary

​Next Steps

Industry Guide: Real Estate & Title

Step 1: Create a Dock

Step 2: Upload Documents

Step 3: Add Recipients (All Four Personas)

Lender / Mortgage Servicer — Bulk API access

Title Agent / Escrow Officer — Portal + bulk download

Buyer / Property Owner — Single retrieval via portal

Compliance Auditor — Time-boxed read-only

Step 4: Create Access Policies

Lender bulk access policy

Title agent portal access policy

Buyer self-service policy

RESPA/TRID compliance audit policy

Step 5: Generate Lender Passphrase

Step 6: Lender Retrieves via Bulk API

Compliance Notes: RESPA/TRID

Persona Summary

Next Steps