This guide outlines requirements for becoming, maintaining, and renewing a Louisiana notary public commission, based on official state sources as of May 2025. It covers eligibility, application, bond, tools, remote notarization, and FAQs.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Application Process for New Notary Commission
- Surety Bond and E&O Insurance Requirements
- Notary Seal and Journal Requirements
- Oath of Office and Commission Documentation
- Commission Term and Expiration
- Commission Renewal Process
- Remote Online Notarization (RON)
- Official Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet these criteria:
-
Age & Status: At least 18 years old; Louisiana resident (citizen or legal alien) and registered voter in the parish of commission.
-
Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
-
Good Character: No unpardoned felony convictions.
-
English Proficiency: Able to read, write, and speak English.
Attorneys admitted in Louisiana are exempt from the exam and bond requirement.
Get a notary stamp that meets Louisiana’s official requirements, available in multiple formats and shipped within one business day.
Application Process for New Notary Commission
-
Application to Qualify: Submit form to Secretary of State (SOS) with $35 fee. Attests to eligibility.
-
Notary Exam Pre-Assessment: After application approval, register online, pay $30 pre-assessment fee, complete online pre-assessment test (no passing score required to proceed).
-
State Notary Examination (Non-Attorneys): Register for in-person state exam (offered regionally June/December), pay $100 exam fee. Deadline usually 30 days before the exam.
-
Study Materials: SOS publishes an official study guide "Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice" ($100). Prep courses optional.
-
Exam Results: LSU scores exam. If passed, proceed to commissioning. If failed, retake (no additional qualifying fee if within one year of approval).
-
Commissioning Documents (Post-Exam/Attorney Approval): Submit to SOS:
-
Two Oaths of Office (one for SOS, one for parish clerk of court).
-
Official Signature Page.
-
$10,000 Surety Bond or Errors & Omissions (E&O) Policy (non-attorneys only, signed by parish clerk).
-
$35 Commissioning Fee. (Optional: $20 for decorative Certificate of Notary Commission).
-
-
Issuance: SOS forwards to the Governor. Notarize starting commission date (in Notary Database).
Forms and fees via SOS Notary Forms & Fee Schedule. Online filing via SOS CORA portal available for many steps.
Surety Bond and E&O Insurance Requirements
Non-attorney notaries need $10,000 security:
-
A $10,000 surety bond, OR
-
A $10,000 E&O insurance policy, OR
-
A $10,000 personal surety bond. These must be on official forms, approved/certified by the parish clerk. Obtain from insurance companies/bonding agencies.
-
Renewal: Bond/E&O policies expire every five years; refile with $20 renewal fee to SOS. Failure suspends commission.
-
Attorneys: Exempt from filing notary bond.
-
Notary Seal and Journal Requirements
-
Seal: A Louisiana notary’s signature is their seal. No rubber stamp or embosser is used. Sign name with "Notary Public" title.
-
Journal: Not mandatory by law for traditional acts. Recommended as best practice. (RON platforms create e-journal/recording). Certain authentic acts (e.g., property sales) require official archiving.
Oath of Office and Commission Documentation
Before notarizing, execute two Oath of Office forms: file one with SOS, one with Parish Clerk of Court. File an official signature page with SOS. Once these, bond/E&O, and $35 fee are filed, SOS issues commission under Governor’s hand.
Commission Term and Expiration
Lifetime commission: No fixed expiration date.
Commission can become inactive/suspended for:
-
Failure to file annual report on time (non-attorneys).
-
Failure to maintain $10,000 bond/E&O policy. Suspension lifted by filing past-due items and fees.
Commission Renewal Process
No "renewal" of commission. Maintain active status by:
-
Annual Reports (Non-Attorneys): File annually by commission anniversary; pay fee. Failure results in late fees/suspension.
-
Bond/E&O Renewal: Renew security every 5 years; file with SOS ($20 fee).
-
Address/Name Changes: Update SOS. Parish change: new qualifying application ($35), commission fee ($35), new oaths/bond in new parish. Name change: Name Change form ($35), new oaths/bond.
-
Resignation/Retirement: Optional; file Retirement Status Affidavit or resign.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Louisiana
Authorized since February 1, 2022 (R.S. 35:621 et seq.). Optional.
-
Eligibility: Current, active LA notary residing in Louisiana.
-
Training & Quiz: Complete state-approved RON education course and quiz (SOS online training). Obtain PDF completion certificate.
-
Technology Provider: Select SOS-approved RON provider.
-
Registration & Fee: File RON registration with SOS via Notary account; upload course certificate. $100 one-time fee.
-
Procedure:
-
Notaries must be physically in LA (commission parish or reciprocal parish) during RON. Signers can be anywhere.
-
Use a secure audio-visual platform. Verify signers via platform (ID verification, KBA).
-
Electronic document, e-signature, e-seal.
-
Platform creates e-journal entries and records audio/video sessions.
-
-
Bond: No extra bond for RON.
Official Resources
-
Louisiana SOS – Notary & Certifications Division: sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications (main resource: "Become a Louisiana Notary," "File Notary Documents," forms, fees, database).
-
SOS Notary Division Contact: P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125; Tel: 225.925.4704.
-
Louisiana Revised Statutes – Title 35 (Notaries Public).
-
Parish Clerk of Court: For bond/personal surety forms, local oath filing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the basic qualifications to be a notary in Louisiana?
A: ≥18, LA resident (registered voter in parish), U.S. citizen/legal alien, English literate, HS diploma/equivalent, no unpardoned felony. Pass state exam (unless attorney).
Q: Do attorneys have any exemptions?
A: Yes. Exempt from notary exam and $10,000 bond/E&O requirement. Must provide a Supreme Court Good Standing Certificate.
Q: How much are the fees, and what do I pay for?
A: Key fees: $35 (Application to Qualify), $30 (Pre-assessment), $100 (State Exam), $35 (Commissioning). Optional: $20 (Decorative Certificate). RON registration: $100. Annual report/bond renewal fees also apply.
Q: When and where are notary exams held?
A: At least twice a year (June/December), regionally. Register online via SOS by deadline (30 days prior). Closed-book.
Q: What happens after I pass the exam?
A: Submit commissioning documents: two Oaths of Office (one to SOS, one to parish clerk), Official Signature page, $10k bond/E&O policy (non-attorneys), and $35 commission fee to SOS.
Q: Is a surety bond required? How much?
A: Yes, for non-attorneys: $10,000 surety bond or $10,000 E&O policy, or $10,000 personal surety bond. Approved by the parish clerk. Renewed every 5 years ($20 SOS filing fee).
Q: Do Louisiana notaries use a stamp or a journal?
A:
- Seal: No stamp/embosser; your signature IS your seal. Sign with "Notary Public" title and parish.
- Journal: Not legally required for traditional acts (but recommended). RON: E-journal and A/V recording by platform are standard.
Q: How long is my notary commission valid?
A: Lifetime. Maintain by filing annual reports (non-attorneys) and renewing bond/E&O every 5 years to avoid suspension.
Q: Can I notarize in a parish other than my residence?
A: Generally valid only in commission parish. Reciprocal jurisdiction exists for some adjacent parishes (if office there and population criteria met). Moving the parish requires a new commission.
Q: How do I become a Remote Online Notary, and what are the limits?
A: Be commissioned LA notary residing in LA. Complete SOS RON course/quiz. Choose an approved RON provider. Register with SOS ($100 fee), upload course cert. Notary must be in LA during RON; signer anywhere.
Q: Why is my status “Suspended” in the notary database?
A: Usually due to expired bond/E&O or missing annual report. File current items and pay late fees to lift.
Q: Where can I find more information or contact the SOS Notary Division?
A: Always rely on official Louisiana SOS resources for the most current information.
- Louisiana SOS Notary website (sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications).
- Phone: 225.925.4704.