The 2025 Goverment Shutdown

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