A method and system for providing a consumer with on-line access to a real estate transaction file is provided. The method includes the steps of verifying that a completed real estate transaction file is in compliance with applicable regulations, preparing the file for conversion into digital form, converting the file into a suitable digital form, checking a quality of the converted file, indexing the converted file for storage in an online database connected to a network, storing the converted file in the online database in accordance with a predetermined document retention policy, and providing the consumer with secure electronic access to the converted file over the network.