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how to become a notary in louisiana

You can become a notary in Louisiana by meeting eligibility rules, applying with the Secretary of State, completing the required pre‑assessment and exam (unless you’re an attorney), then filing your bond, oath, and signature so your commission becomes active.

Basic eligibility

You need to first make sure you’re actually allowed to hold a Louisiana notary commission.

  • At least 18 years old.
  • Resident of Louisiana and a registered voter in the parish where you want to be commissioned.
  • Able to read, write, and speak English.
  • Have a high school diploma, approved home‑study diploma, or high‑school equivalency.
  • No unpardoned felony conviction; if you have a felony, you must have been pardoned.
  • Of good moral character and integrity.

Attorneys admitted to practice law in Louisiana are generally exempt from the notary exam and the bond requirement, but they still must qualify and apply for a commission.

Step‑by‑step process in 2025–2026

These are the core steps most non‑attorney applicants follow today.

  1. Confirm you meet requirements
    • Double‑check age, residency, voter registration, education, and criminal history requirements before you spend money on fees.
  1. Submit the “Application to Qualify”
    • File the Application to Qualify for Appointment as Notary Public with the Louisiana Secretary of State and pay the current $35 qualifying application fee.
 * This application basically swears you meet the legal requirements and identifies the parish in which you want to be commissioned.
  1. Complete the mandatory Notary Exam Pre‑Assessment
    • Once your Application to Qualify is approved, you receive instructions to register online for the Notary Exam Pre‑Assessment.
 * You pay a separate fee (commonly listed as about $30) to take this online pre‑assessment.

 * It’s an evaluation of your readiness; there’s no required passing score, but you must complete it to unlock registration for the main exam.
  1. Register for the state notary exam
    • After the Secretary of State receives your pre‑assessment score, you can register online for the in‑person state notary exam and pay the exam fee (commonly referenced as about $100).
 * Louisiana gives the exam at least twice a year, typically regionally and often in June and December; there are registration deadlines, often around 30 days before the exam date.
  1. Complete a notary education course and study
    • Louisiana requires a state‑approved notary education course covering notary duties, Louisiana civil‑law concepts, and proper notarial practices.
 * The Secretary of State publishes an official study guide and exam prep information, and many applicants also use private vendors or classes for extra prep.
  1. Take and pass the Louisiana notary exam
    • The exam tests your knowledge of Louisiana notary law, civil‑law concepts, procedures, and ethics.
 * Current exam guidance indicates you must earn a scaled score of 70 out of 100 to pass.

 * You can use the official study guide during the exam, but there are strict rules on tabs and annotations: tabs must be clear, self‑adhesive, permanent, one per page, and no loose inserts or sticky notes are allowed.
  1. Obtain your notary bond and (optionally) E &O insurance
    • After passing, you must secure a notary surety bond in the required amount and term; some guides reference a $10,000 bond or errors‑and‑omissions policy, while others (and commercial providers) describe a standard five‑year, $50,000 Louisiana notary bond requirement.
 * The bond protects the public; many notaries also buy separate errors‑and‑omissions insurance to protect themselves personally.
  1. Take your oath and register your commission documents
    • You will sign a notarized Oath of Office form and an Official Notary Signature form.
 * You then register your oath, official signature, and bond with your parish clerk of court.

 * Next, you send the original bond, oath, and signature forms to the Secretary of State for filing so your commission can be issued.
  1. Receive your commission and start notarizing
    • Once all documents and fees are properly filed, the Secretary of State issues your commission as a Louisiana notary public.
 * You can then purchase your notary seal and journal that meet state specifications from any compliant provider and begin performing notarial acts within your authorized jurisdiction.

Exam prep tips and “inside” advice

Recent and forum‑style accounts give a good feel for how to actually prepare, especially because Louisiana’s notary exam is known to be challenging and heavily based on the state’s civil‑law system.

  • Use the official study guide like a roadmap. Many successful test‑takers highlight definitions, qualifications, and procedures and keep a running list of key terms with page numbers so they can quickly look things up during the exam.
  • Get very familiar with where everything is in the book, not just the content. Several Louisiana notaries emphasize that the exam is open‑book but time‑pressured, so navigation is crucial.
  • Use allowed tabs strategically. Since only permanent, clear plastic tabs (one per page) are allowed, people often tab major sections and statutes rather than every single term.
  • Consider a study group or course. Forum posters mention three‑hour weekly study groups as helpful to stay motivated and get guidance through the huge study book.
  • Practice with scenario‑style questions. Some prep materials focus on realistic scenarios involving community property, forced heirship, small successions, and venue to mirror how questions are structured on the exam.

“LA Notary here! … Get very familiar with the book, and you will too!”

Costs, timing, and practical notes

Actual totals vary, but here’s the general picture as of the most recent public information.

  • State fees (approximate, subject to change):
    • Application to Qualify: around $35.
* Pre‑assessment: around $30.

* State exam: around $100.
  • Other costs:
    • Education course or class (varies by provider).
* Notary bond (price depends on coverage and vendor; one example cites a five‑year $50,000 bond with a listed cost around $110).

* Optional E&O insurance, seal, journal, and other supplies.

From start to finish, applicants often spend a few months between qualifying, studying, taking the exam that’s only offered on specific dates, and then completing bond and filing steps.

Mini SEO notes (for your “Quick Scoop” post)

If you’re turning this into a blog or forum‑style piece targeting “how to become a notary in Louisiana,” you can weave in:

  • Clear H2s like “Eligibility Requirements,” “Application and Exam Steps,” and “Latest Exam Rules in Louisiana.”
  • Short paragraphs and bullet lists for steps, costs, and timelines to keep readability high.
  • Brief references to current exam policies updated in 2025–2026 (scaled score of 70, allowed tabs, pre‑assessment being mandatory but not graded for a pass threshold).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.