Notary Weekly Brief: May 6–12, 2025
Stay informed with the latest developments impacting the notary profession. This week’s highlights include a stronger DOJ focus on fraud, discussions on remote online notarization challenges, guidance for Texas notaries, and insights from the National Notary Association. Here’s a quick rundown of the key news items:
DOJ Intensifies Focus on Fraud: Implications for Notarized Documents
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on May 12, 2025, an updated approach to combat white-collar and corporate crime, with a significant emphasis on “unchecked fraud in U.S. markets and government programs.” This includes various forms of fraud and international money laundering operations. The DOJ is also updating self-disclosure policies and its whistleblower program to encourage reporting of unlawful conduct. This heightened focus underscores the importance of notaries remaining vigilant in identity verification and document authentication.
Published: May 12, 2025
U.S. DOJ provides long-awaited clarity on enforcement priorities with key policy updates, with significant emphasis on self-disclosure
Tools & Tips
Explore and Compare Leading E-Notary Software Platforms
For notaries offering remote online notarization, choosing the right software is crucial. Platforms like PandaDoc, DocuSign Notary, Secured Signing, and NotaryCam offer features such as secure video conferencing, identity verification, and digital seals. Resources like G2 (https://www.g2.com/categories/e-notary) and TrustRadius (Best Online Notary Software 2025 | TrustRadius) provide comparisons and reviews to help notaries select the best platform for their needs.
Fun Fact
Did you know that President Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the 30th President of the United States by his own father, John Coolidge, who was a practicing Notary Public in Plymouth Notch, Vermont? This makes him the only U.S. President ever to take the oath of office administered by a notary public. Notary History | NNA
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any notary events or utilized new notary tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.