Become a Louisiana Notary or Search for a Notary Programs - Louisiana Secretary of State's Office

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Becoming a Notary:

Generally, to become an applicant to become a notary, an applicant must complete an “Application to Qualify” and to qualify, an applicant must adhere to several requirements. Some requirements include that the applicant (1) be registered to vote in the parish in which the applicant seeks commission, (2) be a resident citizen or alien of Louisiana, (3) not have been convicted of a felony or if convicted of a felony, has been pardoned, (4) able to read, write, speak and be sufficiently knowledgeable of the English language, (5) be 18 years of age or older, and (6) hold a high school diploma, a diploma for completion of a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or a high school equivalency diploma issued after successfully completing the test of General Educational Development. Those interested must meet the requirements set forth in La. R.S. 35:191. Notary applicants must be qualified by the Secretary of State\'s Office and, unless licensed to practice law in Louisiana, must complete the Notary Exam Pre-Assessment as well as take and pass the state notary exam. The pre-assessment is available online on the department’s website and must be completed before an applicant can register for the state notary exam.

The Secretary of State publishes an official study guide for the exam entitled the “Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice”, which can be purchased through the department’s website. Although no course or class is required by law to take the notary exam, the department maintains a list of notary exam preparation course providers that can also be located on the department’s website. 

Becoming a Remote Online Notary: 

Upon enactment of the Remote Online Notarization Act (La. R.S. 35:621 et seq.), Louisiana began allowing those that are qualified notaries to register for remote online notarization (RON) authorization. Remote notarization is when a document signer personally appears before the notary at the time of the notarization using audio-visual technology over the internet instead of being physically present in the same room. Those that are duly appointed commissioned notaries publics, residing in Louisiana may be authorized to perform remote online notarizations upon approval from the Notary Division.

To be authorized, an applicant must complete the following steps: (1) Be a Louisiana qualified notary; (2) Complete an online instruction course located on the department’s website and pass a quiz. Obtain a PDF copy of the certificate to show successful completion of this course and quiz; (3) Determine the type of technology to be used to perform remote online notarizations and select a remote notary technology provider. The applicant may opt for a provider from the department’s List of Remote Notarization Technology Providers. The notary may select more than one provider; (4) Complete the RON registration via the notary’s online notary account and upload the certificate of completion for the quiz requirement. The attachment must be uploaded as a PDF. Submission of the filing fee (unrelated to any fees charged by the provider) is required.; (5) The notary and selected provider work together directly to obtain and pay for a remote notary technology; and (6) Once the RON registration has been approved, the notary’s record will be updated to show that the notary has been authorized to perform remote online notarizations.

Database to Search and Identify Louisiana Notaries:

For those interested in searching for notaries by name, zip code, notary number or bar roll number, please utilize the following link: https://www.sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications/SearchForLouisianaNotaries/Pages/default.aspx