How to Become a Notary in Louisiana (2026 Guide)
Already a notary? Our self-paced online courses help you expand your services and grow your income. Browse courses →
Key Takeaways
- New for February 2026: Surety bond increased from $10,000 to $50,000
- State exam required (open-book, administered by Secretary of State)
- Lifetime commission (does not expire)
- Journal (notarial register) required
- Must be 18+, a LA resident, and registered to vote in your parish
- Training course strongly recommended
Louisiana is unique in several ways: notaries are commissioned for life, the bond requirement recently jumped from $10,000 to $50,000, and the state has its own civil law notary tradition. Here’s what you need to know for 2026.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Louisiana resident
- Be registered to vote in your parish
- Be able to read, write, and speak English
- Have no felony convictions (unless rights restored) and hold a high school diploma, GED, or approved home-study credential
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Complete a Notary Preparation Course
No course is required by law, though most applicants take one. Prep providers must be registered with the Secretary of State, which publishes the registry. The exam covers state-specific civil law drawn from a single official study guide.
Step 2: Pass the State Notary Exam
The path runs through the Louisiana Secretary of State. Non-attorneys first complete the mandatory online Notary Exam Pre-Assessment ($30, required by Act 610 of 2014); you must qualify and finish the pre-assessment at least 37 days before the exam, and register for the exam ($100) at least 30 days out. The exam itself is a four-hour, computer-based sitting offered at LSU Baton Rouge only, at least twice a year, with general-knowledge and scenario items. Passing is a scaled score of 70 out of 100. You may bring the official study guide, Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice (2025 edition, $100 from the SOS), into the testing room, marked and tabbed under the state’s strict rules (permanent self-adhesive tabs, one per page, two inches max, clear plastic; no inserts). Every exam item is drawn from that book. Attorneys are exempt from the exam. Licensed attorneys and exam passers hold statewide jurisdiction; the legacy parish path is limited to your parish and its reciprocal group, and commissioned parish notaries can sit for the exam later purely to upgrade with no risk to the existing commission.
Step 3: Purchase Your $50,000 Surety Bond
Effective February 2026: Louisiana increased the required surety bond from $10,000 to $50,000. Purchase the bond from a bonding company or insurance agent, or post a personal surety for the same amount. The premium will be higher due to the increased amount; expect to pay $100-$300. Surety bonds are renewed every 5 years with a $20 filing fee.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
File your application with the Secretary of State, including your exam results, bond documentation, and application fee. Once approved, you’ll receive your notary commission.
Costs to Get Commissioned
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Notary preparation course (recommended) | $100-$500 |
| Exam pre-assessment | $30 |
| Exam registration | $100 |
| Official study guide (2025 ed.) | $100 |
| Commission filing fee | $20 |
| $50,000 surety bond premium | $100-$300/year |
| Application to qualify | $35 |
| Notary stamp | $15-$25 |
| Notarial register (required) | $10-$50 |
| Total (first year) | $310-$1,010 |
Note: Louisiana is now one of the most expensive states to become a notary due to the $50,000 bond requirement. Alabama is the only other state with a $50,000 bond.
How Much You Can Charge
Louisiana does not set a statutory maximum fee for most notarizations. Fees are generally considered reasonable and should be agreed upon before performing the notarial act.
Notarizing for Family Members
Louisiana does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for family members. However, you cannot notarize documents in which you have a direct financial interest. Louisiana’s civil law notary system provides additional safeguards compared to most states.
Penalties for Notary Misconduct
Notarizing without authority carries criminal penalties, and fraud or forgery tied to a notarial act is a felony. The Secretary of State can revoke a commission for cause. On the civil side the $50,000 bond pays the public, and damages above it are yours to cover.
Employer Obligations
Your commission is personal: it does not belong to your employer, and your stamp and notarial register go with you when you change jobs. No employer can require you to skip proper procedure, and one who pressures you into misconduct can share the liability.
How Louisiana Compares to Neighboring States
| Requirement | Louisiana | Texas | Mississippi | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond | $50,000 | None (residents) | $5,000 | $7,500 |
| Exam | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Training | No (courses common) | Yes (SOS) | No | Yes (SOS) |
| Term | Lifetime | 4 years | 4 years | 10 years |
| RON | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Louisiana requires one of the highest bonds in the nation ($50,000 under HB 259, Act 258 of the 2025 legislative session, effective February 1, 2026) and uses a civil law notary system unlike any other state. Texas requires no bond at all from residents. Mississippi skips the exam and course but still takes its $5,000 bond, and Arkansas pairs required SOS training and an exam with a 10-year term. Full guides: Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas.
Authorized Notarial Acts
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Take verifications on oath or affirmation
- Witness or attest signatures
- Certify copies of documents
- Draft and execute authentic acts (unique to Louisiana civil law notaries)
Notary Stamp Requirements
Louisiana requires a notary stamp or seal. It must include your name as it appears on your commission, “Notary Public,” “State of Louisiana,” and your commission information. Louisiana notaries have broader authority than notaries in most other states due to the civil law tradition.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Not required, but strongly recommended given the $50,000 bond amount. If a claim is paid on your bond, you must repay the surety company — E&O covers you directly instead. Notary-specialty policies run roughly $38 a year for $50,000 of coverage and about $75 for $100,000.
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Louisiana authorized remote online notarization (the Remote Online Notarization Act, R.S. 35:621 et seq.; the SOS began registering online notaries in February 2022). To perform RON, complete the state’s online instruction course and quiz, select a technology provider from the state’s registry, hold an active commission, and file the RON registration online with the $100 one-time fee.
Becoming a Signing Agent
Louisiana is an attorney-closing state, meaning an attorney must be involved in real estate closings — see our attorney-states and escrow-states guide. Signing agents can still handle loan document signings, but the closing itself requires attorney oversight. New Orleans and Baton Rouge are the top markets, and the signing agent guide covers how to build the book of business around that constraint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a notary exam in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana requires all non-attorney notary applicants to pass the state notary exam administered by the Secretary of State.
Do I need a surety bond in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana now requires a $50,000 surety bond (increased from $10,000 effective February 2026).
How long does a Louisiana notary commission last?
Louisiana notaries are commissioned for life (no expiration), but must maintain their bond.
Is a notary journal required in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana requires notaries to maintain a notarial register (journal).
What is the Louisiana notary exam like?
The exam is open-book and covers Louisiana notary law. It is administered by the Secretary of State. Preparation courses are strongly recommended.
Updated October 2026. Requirements based on the Louisiana Secretary of State and RS 35:1-21.
