Quick Facts
Commission Term
Lifetime
Bond
$50,000
Application Fee
$100
Issuing Authority
Louisiana Governor (via Secretary of State)
Journal
Conditional
Fee Caps
No caps
What makes Louisiana distinctive
- Louisiana permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 47 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- Louisiana's $100 application fee is well above the national median of $30.
- Louisiana grants a lifetime notary commission — notaries never renew, unlike the 4-year term typical elsewhere.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Authorized
Louisiana authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Louisiana runs one of the most demanding notary programs in the country: notaries serve a lifetime commission under Louisiana Revised Statutes §§ 35:1 through 35:12, earned by passing a rigorous civil-law examination — unlike the ministerial approach elsewhere. The state requires a $50,000 surety bond and sets no statutory cap on notarial fees. Louisiana authorizes remote online notarization. See Louisiana notary compliance in Notary Guide for the examination requirements, bond, and fee schedule.
Key Considerations
- CIVIL LAW SYSTEM: Louisiana is ONLY state with civil law system based on French Napoleonic Code (all other states use common law)
- LIFETIME COMMISSION: Notaries receive commission for LIFE (no expiration date) - unique among US states
- NO SEAL REQUIRED: Notary's SIGNATURE IS THE SEAL - physical stamp NOT required (unique among all 50 states)
- $10,000 bond currently; increasing to $50,000 on February 1, 2026 for non-attorneys
- Attorneys EXEMPT from bond/E&O requirement
Regulatory Authority
Louisiana Secretary of State - Notary Division
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
La. R.S. 35:71
HB 449 - Notary Bond Increase
Increases notary public bond from $10,000 to $50,000, effective February 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Louisiana?
A Louisiana notary public serves a lifetime commission — it does not expire and requires no periodic renewal. Louisiana is unusual in this respect.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Louisiana?
Louisiana charges $100 as the application fee to the Louisiana Secretary of State - Notary Division. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Louisiana require a notary bond?
Yes. Louisiana requires a notary surety bond of $50,000. The bond protects the public against errors or misconduct by the notary; it is purchased from a licensed surety company, not the state.
Is a notary journal required in Louisiana?
Journal requirements in Louisiana are: Conditional. Consult the Louisiana Secretary of State - Notary Division for the current authoritative rule.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not strictly require a seal or stamp for every notarial act, though one is commonly used. Check current Louisiana Secretary of State - Notary Division guidance for the latest authoritative requirements before notarizing.
Can Louisiana notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Louisiana authorizes remote online notarization (RON), allowing a notary to notarize documents over live video with an out-of-state signer. RON typically requires additional registration, an approved technology platform, and identity-proofing via knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis.
What identity verification methods can Louisiana notaries use?
Louisiana notaries may verify a signer's identity using the following methods: Personal Knowledge, Government-Issued ID, and Credible Witness. Each method has its own evidentiary weight — government-issued photo ID is the most common.
Does Louisiana cap notary fees?
Louisiana does not set hard statutory maximums on notarial fees. Louisiana does NOT have statutory fee schedule determining or limiting notary fees; market-based pricing; notaries may charge what market will bear
Who regulates notaries in Louisiana?
Louisiana notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Louisiana Secretary of State - Notary Division. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does Louisiana authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. Louisiana authorizes in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. This is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which uses live video for an out-of-state signer.
What notarial acts can Louisiana notaries perform?
Louisiana notaries are authorized to perform 11 of the 14 canonical notarial acts tracked in this guide, including Acknowledgment, Jurat, Oath / Affirmation, and Affidavit. See the Authorized Services section above for the full list.
Ready to Become a Notary in Louisiana?
Start your application through the Louisiana Secretary of State - Notary Division.
Related Articles
Remote Online Notarization (RON): State Guide 2026
State-by-state breakdown of which jurisdictions permit RON, the technology requirements, and the additional registration steps for notaries who want to offer it.
Notary Acknowledgments: 50-State Guide
Authoritative reference for acknowledgment certificate language across all 50 states, including short-form versus long-form requirements.
How to Become a Notary Public
Step-by-step path from application to commission, including bond and surety insurance decisions and ongoing compliance obligations.
Get the Full Louisiana Compliance Guide
Step-by-step notarization guides with legal citations, fee schedules, and certificate templates.
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