How to become a notary in Louisiana
Eligibility, an exam, a $50,000 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Louisiana Secretary of State (Notary Division), commissions issued on behalf of the Governor.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Resident citizen or resident alien of Louisiana, registered to vote in the parish where the commission is sought (commissions are parish-based, for the parish of residence). Non-residents cannot become regular notaries; a non-resident Louisiana-licensed attorney can apply for ex-officio status (R.S. 35:412); High school diploma, BESE-approved home-study diploma or GED; able to read, write and speak English; no unpardoned felony conviction; attest to good moral character, integrity, competency and sober habits on the Application to Qualify (R.S. 35:191).
- Pass the notary exam — State notary exam required for everyone except attorneys licensed in Louisiana. $100 registration; 4-hour computer-based exam at LSU Baton Rouge, given at least twice a year (2026 calendar shows many sessions). Open-book: you may bring only the official 2026 study guide 'Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice' ($100 from the SOS), tabbed and annotated. Passing = scaled score 70/100. Qualify and finish the pre-assessment at least 37 days before the exam; register at least 30 days before. Very low pass rate: SOS statistics show 263 of 1,299 test-takers (about 20%) passed in 2026 sessions through Oct 1. Unlimited retakes.
- Buy a $50,000 surety bond — $50,000 notary surety bond (5-year term, then renew with a $20 filing fee) or a $50,000 personal surety bond, filed with the SOS. Raised from $10,000 by Act 258 of 2025 (HB 259), effective Feb 1, 2026. Attorney-notaries do not file a bond.
- Complete the background check — No fingerprinting stated by the SOS. The Application to Qualify requires detailed disclosure of criminal convictions, lawsuits alleging dishonesty, surety claims, bankruptcy, professional discipline, military discharge and other history; voter registration in the parish is verified.
- Apply to the Louisiana Secretary of State (Notary Division), commissions issued on behalf of the Governor — Pay the $35 state fee. Other fees: $30 exam pre-assessment; $100 exam registration; $100 official study guide; $35 commission filing fee after passing; $20 bond filing fee (also every 5-year bond renewal); $100 one-time RON registration; $35 name change; $15 replacement certificate; $5 convenience fee on credit-card payments. Bond premium extra.
- Take the oath and file it — After passing the exam, file with the SOS: oath of office (execute two: one for the SOS, one for the parish clerk of court), official signature page, the $50,000 bond (or, for attorneys, a Louisiana Supreme Court certificate of good standing issued within 30 days) and the $35 commission fee. You may notarize from the commission date shown in the SOS notary database. Since Feb 1, 2026 bonds no longer have to be filed with the clerk of court first.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Not required: 'A Louisiana notary's signature is his seal' (SOS FAQ). Journal: Not required for paper notarizations.
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Louisiana's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Louisiana notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Louisiana Secretary of State (Notary Division), commissions issued on behalf of the Governor |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Resident citizen or resident alien of Louisiana, registered to vote in the parish where the commission is sought (commissions are parish-based, for the parish of residence). Non-residents cannot become regular notaries; a non-resident Louisiana-licensed attorney can apply for ex-officio status (R.S. 35:412). |
| Course | Not required No course is required by law, but non-attorneys must complete the mandatory online Notary Exam Pre-Assessment ($30, LSU; no passing score needed, taken once, scores never expire). Exam prep course providers must register with the SOS (Education Providers Registry); a prep course or study group is strongly recommended. |
| Exam | Required State notary exam required for everyone except attorneys licensed in Louisiana. $100 registration; 4-hour computer-based exam at LSU Baton Rouge, given at least twice a year (2026 calendar shows many sessions). Open-book: you may bring only the official 2026 study guide 'Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice' ($100 from the SOS), tabbed and annotated. Passing = scaled score 70/100. Qualify and finish the pre-assessment at least 37 days before the exam; register at least 30 days before. Very low pass rate: SOS statistics show 263 of 1,299 test-takers (about 20%) passed in 2026 sessions through Oct 1. Unlimited retakes. |
| State fee | $35 |
| Other fees | $30 exam pre-assessment; $100 exam registration; $100 official study guide; $35 commission filing fee after passing; $20 bond filing fee (also every 5-year bond renewal); $100 one-time RON registration; $35 name change; $15 replacement certificate; $5 convenience fee on credit-card payments. Bond premium extra. |
| Surety bond | $50,000 $50,000 notary surety bond (5-year term, then renew with a $20 filing fee) or a $50,000 personal surety bond, filed with the SOS. Raised from $10,000 by Act 258 of 2025 (HB 259), effective Feb 1, 2026. Attorney-notaries do not file a bond. |
| E&O insurance | Not accepted as a bond substitute since Feb 1, 2026 (the former $10,000 E&O option was repealed); optional on its own |
| Background check | No fingerprinting stated by the SOS. The Application to Qualify requires detailed disclosure of criminal convictions, lawsuits alleging dishonesty, surety claims, bankruptcy, professional discipline, military discharge and other history; voter registration in the parish is verified. |
| Term | Lifetime commission (no expiration), subject to keeping a current bond and filing annual reports |
| Oath / filing | After passing the exam, file with the SOS: oath of office (execute two: one for the SOS, one for the parish clerk of court), official signature page, the $50,000 bond (or, for attorneys, a Louisiana Supreme Court certificate of good standing issued within 30 days) and the $35 commission fee. You may notarize from the commission date shown in the SOS notary database. Since Feb 1, 2026 bonds no longer have to be filed with the clerk of court first. |
| Seal | Not required: 'A Louisiana notary's signature is his seal' (SOS FAQ) |
| Journal | Not required for paper notarizations verify |
| Max fee per notarization | No statutory fee schedule; Louisiana does not limit what a notary may charge (SOS FAQ) |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Remote Online Notarization Act (R.S. 35:621 et seq.), registration open since Feb 1, 2022. A commissioned notary residing in Louisiana completes the SOS online instruction course and quiz, picks an approved RON technology provider, and registers through the online notary account with a one-time $100 fee. |
| Renewal | No renewal: commissions are for life. Keep the bond current (renew every 5 years, $20 filing fee) and file an annual report with the SOS by the commission anniversary date (non-attorney notaries); a report more than 60 days late suspends the commission. Moving to another parish requires a new commission for that parish (Application to Qualify + commission documents, $35 + $35). |
Louisiana is a civil-law jurisdiction and its notaries are far more powerful than in other states: under R.S. 35:2 they may make inventories, appraisements and partitions, receive wills, make protests, matrimonial contracts, conveyances and 'generally all contracts and instruments of writing', and acts they execute per Civil Code art. 1833 are authentic acts (self-proving). In practice non-attorney notaries draft and pass acts of sale, mortgages, donations, notarial testaments, powers of attorney, marriage contracts and similar instruments, which is why the exam is so hard (it tests Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure and revised statutes). Commissions are parish-based (parish of residence) with reciprocal parish groups; notaries who passed the state exam (Act 793 of 2006) and attorney-notaries have statewide jurisdiction but are still commissioned in their parish of residence. Attorneys licensed in Louisiana skip the pre-assessment, exam and bond. A notary commission from another state cannot be transferred. Major 2026 change: bond raised to $50,000 and the E&O alternative removed (Act 258 of 2025, effective Feb 1, 2026); bonds valid before then remain good until they expire. Total government cost for a non-attorney is about $300 ($35 + $30 + $100 + $100 guide + $35 + $20) before bond premium and any prep course.
Sources: Louisiana SOS - Notary · Louisiana SOS - Application Process · Louisiana SOS - Get Exam Information · Louisiana SOS - Notary Exam Statistics (PDF, 10/9/2026) · Louisiana SOS - Forms & Fee Schedule. Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Louisiana notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Louisiana licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Louisiana insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Louisiana?
The state fee is $35, plus $30 exam pre-assessment; $100 exam registration; $100 official study guide; $35 commission filing fee after passing; $20 bond filing fee (also every 5-year bond renewal); $100 one-time RON registration; $35 name change; $15 replacement certificate; $5 convenience fee on credit-card payments. Bond premium extra.. Add the premium for the $50,000 bond, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Louisiana?
Usually a few weeks from application to commission, plus the time for the course and exam.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires an exam, a $50,000 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Louisiana?
No statutory fee schedule; Louisiana does not limit what a notary may charge (SOS FAQ).
Can I be an online notary in Louisiana?
Yes. Remote Online Notarization Act (R.S. 35:621 et seq.), registration open since Feb 1, 2022. A commissioned notary residing in Louisiana completes the SOS online instruction course and quiz, picks an approved RON technology provider, and registers through the online notary account with a one-time $100 fee.