Notary Public in Louisiana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for LA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
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route How to become a notary public in Louisiana
To become a Notary Public in Louisiana, applicants must meet eligibility requirements set by the Louisiana Secretary of State, including being at least 18 years old and possessing a high school diploma. Key steps involve submitting an application, completing a mandatory online pre-assessment, passing the comprehensive Louisiana Notary Examination, and filing a $50,000 surety bond. While the commission is for life, the bond must be renewed every five years, and non-attorney notaries who pass the exam after June 2005 have statewide jurisdiction.
checklist Louisiana requirements
| Licensing body | Louisiana Secretary of State |
| State license | Required |
| Education | High school diploma |
| Exam | Louisiana Notary Examination ($100) |
| Application fee | $35 |
| Renewal | Every 5.0 years |
| Reciprocity | Reciprocity exists within parish groups; statewide jurisdiction is possible with a specific exam.Reciprocal states: Reciprocity exists within specific groups of Louisiana parishes, allowing a notary commissioned in one parish within a group to notarize in others within that same group without additional bonding or examination. Non-attorney notaries who pass the statewide exam on or after June 13, 2005, can obtain statewide jurisdiction. Otherwise, jurisdiction is parish-wide. |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18. Must be a resident citizen or alien of Louisiana, registered to vote in the parish of commission, able to read, write, and speak English, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Must not have been convicted of a felony (unless pardoned). A $50,000 surety bond is required, to be renewed every five years. Attorneys are exempt from the exam and bond requirements. The commission is for life, but the bond must be renewed. Extensive pre-exam coursework is highly recommended due to the difficulty of the exam, which is akin to a mini-bar exam. A mandatory online pre-assessment exam ($30 fee) must be completed before registering for the state exam. The state exam is administered twice a year. |
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Louisiana? See whether Louisiana recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Notary Public license reciprocity guide.
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