How does the government shutdown affect notary pliblic in 2025 ?
What is unaffected
Standard Notarizations: You can continue to perform most notarial acts for state and private documents, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
State-Level Services: Many state-level notary services, such as apostilles issued by a Secretary of State office, remain open and functional because they are funded by state and not federal budgets.
Conventional Loan Signings: Notarizations for conventional loans are generally unaffected, as they don't rely on federal staff or funding.
What can be delayed
Federal Loan Programs: Loan signings for FHA, VA, and USDA loans are likely to be delayed because the federal agencies that oversee them may have limited staff.
Federal Document Authentication: Apostilles, which are certifications for international use, are often delayed if they require authentication from federal agencies like the U.S. Department of State.
IRS and FEMA Processes: Income verification through IRS transcripts or flood insurance from FEMA can be stalled if those agencies' staff are furloughed.
Federal Agency Filings: Any paperwork or filings that require direct approval or processing from a federal agency can experience delays.
What notaries should do
Communicate with clients: Be transparent about potential delays for any federal-related documents and set clear expectations for timelines.
Process state documents first: Encourage clients to have state-level documents notarized now to save time later.
Stay flexible: Be prepared for reschedules and potential bottlenecks related to the funding and approval of federal programs.
Focus on essential services: The demand for essential services like estate planning remains steady, so focus on areas that are not directly impacted by the shutdown.
Oct 2025
