About the Louisiana Notary Process
Louisiana Notaries have lifetime commissions. The only requirement to maintain their commission is to file a surety bond or E&O policy every five years and pay a filing fee.
Cost to Become an LA Notary
The cost to become a Notary in Louisiana ranges between $310 to $337, depending on where you purchase your surety bond or E&O insurance.
| Expense |
Cost |
| Qualifying application |
$35 |
| Notary exam pre-assessment |
$30 |
| Exam registration |
$100 |
| $10,000 surety bond (5-year policy) or $10,000 E&O insurance (5-year policy) |
$110 or $137 |
| Commission filing fee |
$35 |
| Total Cost |
$310 - $337 |
Commission Processing Time
The processing time can be lengthy due to the various requirements. The Application to Qualify and Notary Exam Pre-Assessment registration and scoring process takes approximately one week, and both must be completed at least 37 days before the exam.
An applicant must register for the state Notary exam at least 30 days prior to the exam. The Notary exam is given at least twice a year.
Louisiana Notary Public Requirements
Eligibility
There are basic qualifications for a person to become a Notary in Louisiana. Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident citizen or alien of the state
- Be a registered voter in the parish in which you're applying
- Be able to read, write and speak English
- Have received a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have no felony convictions unless they have been pardoned
Application
Complete the Application to Qualify on the Secretary of State's website and pay the $35 application fee.
Pre-Assessment
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a notification to register for the Notary Exam Pre-Assessment. This pre-assessment is an evaluation and does not require a passing score to register for the state Notary exam.
Exam
After receiving your assessment score, register for the state Notary exam online through the Secretary of State's website at least 30 days in advance.
Non-attorney applicants are required to pass an exam to become a Notary in Louisiana.
Surety Bond and E&O Insurance
Louisiana Notaries are required to hold either a five-year $10,000 surety bond or errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.
Your bond or E&O policy must be filed with the state every five years for the duration of your lifetime commission.
Oath of Office
There are two Oath of Office forms you’ll need to execute.
File one Oath of Office form and an original or certified copy of your Notary Surety Bond or E&O policy with the Secretary of State.
File a duplicate Oath of Office form with the parish Clerk of Court within one month after the oath is administered.
Louisiana Notary Public FAQs
Below are answers to the most common questions about being an LA Notary.
Which state government office handles Notaries?
The Office of the Secretary of State, located in Baton Rouge, LA, issues Notary Public commissions.
Is training required to become a Louisiana Notary?
Training is not required for Louisiana Notaries but is recommended by the state.
How can I prepare for the Notary exam?
What Notary supplies do I need?
A Notary seal is not required by the state, but the following information must be typed, printed or stamped on every notarized document:
- Your name as it appears on your commission
- Your Notary identification number, or state bar number if you are a licensed attorney
- The words "Notary Public"
Another optional, but strongly recommended supply, is a Notary journal to keep a record of all your notarizations.
Where will I be able to notarize?
Non-attorney Notaries may notarize anywhere in their parish. Notaries who are also attorneys have statewide jurisdiction.
Who can I notarize for?
You can notarize for everyone, excluding yourself. You cannot notarize your own signature, nor can you notarize documents you are named in or would benefit from.
Louisiana law doesn't specifically prohibit notarizing for a spouse or relative or for a spouse's business. If you perform notarizations as part of your employment, your employer may limit the notarizations you perform during your work hours.
How much can LA Notaries charge per notarization?
Louisiana Notaries may charge a reasonable fee per notarial act.
While the Secretary of State does not set a maximum fee for notarizations, it's a best practice to inform signers of your fees prior to a transaction to prevent potential conflicts.
What should I do if I move or change my name?
You must notify the Secretary of State of any address or name changes.
For an address change, you can either update your address online or mail or fax the new address to the Notary Division.
If you move to another parish, you must change your commission to that parish even if you move to a parish within a reciprocal group. To do so, you’ll need to:
- Complete another Application to Qualify and pay the $35 fee.
- File two Oaths of Office forms and official signature page with the SOS and parish clerk of court.
- Submit an original or certified copy of a surety bond or insurance policy in the amount of $10,000.
If you change your name, execute another oath with your new name, change the name on your bond or E&O policy, and submit an official signature page with a name change affidavit and $35 fee.
What is the process for renewing my commission as a Louisiana Notary?
While Louisiana Notaries are commissioned for life, they are required to submit proof of a five-year $10,000 bond or E&O insurance every five years to the Secretary of State.
After getting your bond or insurance renewed, have it approved by your parish clerk. Submit the original or certified true copy of the bond or E&O signed by the parish clerk of court to the Louisiana Secretary of State. Pay the $20 filing fee.
What do I need to know about remote online notarization in Louisiana?
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Last updated: Nov 21, 2024