How to Become a Notary Public in Louisiana

The state application fee is $35, Notary Exam Pre-Assessment costs $30 and Notary Public Exam registration costs $100. To find the list of fees charged by the Louisiana Secretary of State, click here. The cost of your $10,000 bond or E&O will vary based on the vendor you choose.

Supply package prices vary among vendors. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.

Some vendors may package items with additional fees — processing fees for example. Training can be included in package prices for new Notaries, although the quality of education can vary. Some providers offer their own Notary courses while others do not have the on-staff expertise to develop and support educational content. Several vendors offer Notaries live question and answer support, and others are not able to offer such assistance.

The processing time can be lengthy due to the various deadlines and processing times. The Application to Qualify and Notary Exam Pre-Assessment registration and scoring can take up to one week, each. Additionally, you must register for your Notary exam 45 days before taking the exam. The Notary exam is given only twice a year on the first Saturday in June and December.

In Louisiana, Notaries are commissioned for life pursuant to Attorney General Opinion 1940-42.

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

Training is not required for Louisiana Notaries but is state-recommended.

Yes, passing an exam is required to become a Notary in Louisiana unless you are an attorney. After your Application to Qualify has been approved, you can register for your exam online through the Secretary of State's website.

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"

When shopping for seal stamps, quality and durability can vary greatly among vendors. Stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging. A second seal can help you avoid downtime if your seal is ever misplaced, and an embosser can help add an additional layer of fraud prevention security.

A Notary journal is not required, but recommended, to keep a record of your notarizations performed. When purchasing a journal, there are a few important features to which you must pay close attention. A journal with numbered pages and tamper-proof sewn construction allows Notaries to identify missing pages in their journals, which becomes extremely helpful if you're ever named in a lawsuit. Simple notebooks or glue-bound journals simply do not offer the same level of security.

Supplies are sold by most vendors in packages, which can sometimes provide savings. However, not all vendor packages are created equal — they can vary greatly in terms of quality and content. If you are a new Notary or renewing your commission, the types and quantity of notarizations can require different tools of the trade.

Yes, a five-year $10,000 surety bond or errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is required for Louisiana Notaries. Many choose E&O policies, as they can protect you from any legal expenses whereas a bond only protects the public. While Louisiana Notary commissions are lifetime terms, you must file your bond or E&O with the state every five years.

The Office of the Secretary of State, located in Baton Rouge, LA, issues Notary Public commissions.

The Secretary of State’s office does have a study guide for the exam, which can be purchased online. You can also find several reputable Notary Public training providers with a quick online search. Make sure you thoroughly review any company you plan to work with.

Yes. Several companies offer Notary training, supplies, insurance and assistance with the entire application process. Also, the Secretary of State's website has the application with submission details, if you want to get the process started on your own.

If you're not an attorney, you will be able to notarize anywhere in your parish. Notaries who are also attorneys have statewide jurisdiction.

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.

Louisiana Notaries can 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.

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 with the $35 fee and file two Oaths of Office forms and Official Signature page with the SOS and parish clerk of court. An original or certified copy of a surety bond or insurance policy in the amount of $10,000 is also required.

If you change your name, you must 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.

It depends. Even the most careful and detail-oriented people can make mistakes. As a Notary Public, any unintentional mistake you make or intentional misconduct you engage in could be very costly for everyone involved. Notaries have been sued for financial damages that signers incur, and lawsuits are expensive even if you're innocent. If you are diligent in following the law and keep thorough records, you'll be better prepared if any legal action does come your way.

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 their $20 filing fee.

As of February 1, 2022, Louisiana Notaries can register to perform to perform remote online notarization (RON). Once you receive your commission, you can follow the steps in this guide to become an LA remote Notary.

If you're not quite ready yet, we have additional resources where you can learn what a Notary is, what they do and why you should become a commissioned Notary.