What triggers a licensee's obligation to provide an annual privacy notice in real estate settlement services?

The obligation to provide an annual privacy notice in real estate settlement services is triggered by the completion of all documents related to the closing. This requirement is in line with regulations that aim to protect consumer privacy and ensure transparency regarding how personal information is handled and disclosed by service providers in real estate transactions.

In completing all closing documents, the parties involved finalize financial agreements and establish the full context of the relationship, thereby necessitating a comprehensive disclosure of how their information will be used and protected. This notice serves as an important reminder to clients about their rights regarding personal data, reinforcing the importance of privacy in the industry.

The other choices do not align with the clear regulatory requirements for providing annual privacy notices. For example, simply requesting additional services or signing agreements does not inherently trigger the obligation for privacy notice provision. Likewise, a lapse of time since the initial contact does not satisfy the necessary conditions that occur upon the completion of all closing documents. Therefore, the completion of these documents is the definitive point that obligates licensees to issue the annual privacy notice, ensuring that clients are well-informed about their data privacy protocols as part of their completed transaction.