Louisiana Notary Public 2026: Exam, the New $50,000 Bond & How to Qualify

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Louisiana notary rules are set in Title 35 of the Revised Statutes and can change, so confirm the details with the Louisiana Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

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What does it cost to become a notary in Louisiana?

Becoming a Louisiana notary is one of the priciest paths in the country, often around $300 once you add every fee. You pay a $35 application fee, a $30 pre-assessment, and a $100 state exam, plus about $110 for the new five-year $50,000 bond and a $20 parish filing fee. A seal is encouraged rather than required. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Louisiana?

You become a Louisiana notary by qualifying, passing the state exam, and filing in your parish. The steps, in order, are:

1. Submit the Application to Qualify. Confirm eligibility, including voter registration in your parish and a high-school diploma, and pay the $35 fee to the Secretary of State.
2. Complete the pre-assessment. After approval, register online and complete the $30 pre-assessment; there is no passing score, but it is required before the exam.
3. Pass the state notary exam. Register for the in-person exam, offered regionally about twice a year, and study the official material; details are on our Louisiana notary exam page.
4. Post your $50,000 bond. Obtain the surety bond now required for all new notaries, since errors and omissions insurance no longer satisfies this step.
5. File your oaths and commission. File two oaths of office, your signature form, and the bond with your parish clerk of court, then receive your commission certificate.

How long does a Louisiana notary commission last?

A Louisiana notary commission has no expiration date and lasts for life, which is rare among the states, but it is not maintenance-free. To stay active you must file an annual report and keep your bond current, renewing it every five years, or the Secretary of State can suspend your commission. Attorneys who are notaries are exempt from filing a bond. The lifetime structure means you never reapply, yet a lapsed bond or missed report is the most common reason a Louisiana commission shows as suspended.

What changed about the Louisiana notary bond in 2026?

Effective February 1, 2026, the required notary bond rose from $10,000 to $50,000, and errors and omissions insurance is no longer accepted in place of that bond. Together these are the biggest recent changes for new Louisiana notaries, so any guide still listing a $10,000 bond or an E&O alternative is out of date. Providers are pricing the larger five-year $50,000 bond at around the same premium as before, near $110, and you must renew it every five years to keep your commission active.

Do you have to pass an exam to become a Louisiana notary?

Yes, non-attorney applicants must pass a written state exam administered by the Secretary of State, which is offered in person regionally about twice a year, usually in June and December. Before it you complete a separate online pre-assessment for a $30 fee, and the exam itself costs $100; the state recommends studying its official notarial law materials first. The exam is known for being demanding, so prepare thoroughly with our Louisiana notary practice test before your test date.

What can a Louisiana notary do that others cannot?

Louisiana notaries have far broader authority than notaries in any other state because Louisiana follows a civil-law tradition rather than common law. Beyond witnessing signatures, a Louisiana notary can prepare and execute authentic acts such as contracts, conveyances, and certain other legal documents, work that in other states only an attorney would handle. This expanded role is why the state requires a real exam and a high-school diploma, and why the commission carries more responsibility than a typical notary appointment elsewhere.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Louisiana Secretary of State, Notary and Certifications; Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 35 (including R.S. 35:191) and the 2026 bond amendment effective February 1, 2026. Confirm current fees and steps with the Louisiana Secretary of State before applying.