Lori Hamm, a former Montana Secretary of State’s notary administrator, presented on the history and future of notary publics, discussing their evolution from ancient scribes to modern professionals and highlighting current efforts to raise the profession’s stature through organizations like the American Guild of Notaries Public. She conducted a survey to understand notaries’ motivations for obtaining their commissions and presented findings on the evolving landscape of the notary profession, including the rise of entrepreneurial notaries and the need for improved training and standards. The discussion concluded with information about the American Notary Guild’s credentialing program, which aims to enhance notaries’ visibility and credibility through a comprehensive exam and ongoing education requirements.

To watch Lori Hamm’s Presentation, please visit the PNS YouTube Channel.