How to Become a Notary Public in Louisiana

Who can apply

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a resident citizen or alien of Louisiana. Residents must be registered to vote in the parish where they seek the commission.
• Read, write and speak English well enough to serve.
• Have a high school diploma, an approved home-study diploma, or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).
• Not have a felony conviction, unless pardoned.
• Not be under interdiction or unable to serve because of mental infirmity.
• Attest to good moral character, integrity and sober habits.
• Pass the state notary exam unless you are licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

Step by step

1. File the Application to Qualify with the Secretary of State and pay the $35 fee.
2. After approval, register for and complete the online Notary Exam Pre-Assessment ($30). It is mandatory for non-lawyers but has no passing score. Finish it at least 37 days before the exam.
3. Register for the state notary exam ($100) at least 30 days before the exam date.
4. Study the official 2026 study guide, Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice ($100 from the Secretary of State).
5. Take and pass the four-hour computer-based exam.
6. Send the Secretary of State your oath of office, official signature form, a $50,000 surety bond or personal surety, and the $35 commission filing fee.
7. Check the notary database for your commission date, then begin notarizing.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: No course is required by law. The Secretary of State keeps a registry of exam-prep course providers, and the pre-assessment is mandatory but is a test, not a course.

Exam: State notary exam given by the Secretary of State with LSU at least twice a year, only at LSU in Baton Rouge. It is computer-based, four hours long, and uses general-knowledge and scenario questions on Louisiana civil-law notarial practice. You may bring only the 2026 official study guide. A scaled score of 70 out of 100 passes. Lawyers licensed in Louisiana are exempt.

What it costs in Louisiana

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

What other sites get wrong about Louisiana

After you're commissioned

Renewal: There is no renewal; the commission is for life, but you must keep your bond current and file required annual reports or your commission is suspended.

Remote online notarization: Yes, since February 1, 2022. A commissioned notary living in Louisiana must take the Secretary of State's online RON course and quiz, choose an approved technology provider, and register online for a one-time $100 fee.

Good to know in Louisiana

What you can charge: Louisiana has no statutory fee schedule, so the law sets no limit on what a notary charges for services, according to the Secretary of State.

Sources

• Louisiana SOS - Notary
• Louisiana SOS - Application Process
• Louisiana SOS - Get Exam Information
• Louisiana SOS - Forms & Fee Schedule
• Louisiana SOS - Notary FAQs
• Louisiana SOS - RON Requirements
• Application to Qualify for Appointment as Notary Public
• La. R.S. 35:191 Appointment; qualifications; examination
• La. R.S. 35:2 General powers of notaries