Notary Public in Louisiana
Browse 75 cities in Louisiana to find a notary public near you.
Louisiana has a unique notary system unlike any other U.S. state, rooted in its civil law heritage rather than the common-law framework every other state uses. Louisiana notaries have broader authority than in other states — they can draft legal documents, handle succession proceedings, and perform functions that require attorneys elsewhere, making Louisiana notaries particularly valuable for estate planning and property transactions. There's no statutory fee cap, reflecting the more substantive (and sometimes attorney-adjacent) work Louisiana notaries can legally perform. Remote online notarization is legal here as well, alongside the state's traditional in-person civil-law notarial acts. The $50,000 bond required of non-attorney Louisiana notaries is among the highest in the country, reflecting the broader legal authority they hold.
Is this notary really commissioned?
Anyone can claim to be a notary. Before you rely on one for an important document, it costs nothing to check that their commission is real, active, and hasn't expired.
Louisianadoesn't offer a free public tool to look up an individual notary's commission status online. To verify one, contact the Louisiana Secretary of State at www.sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications/Pages/default.aspx directly.
What you can legally be charged
As of July 2026, Louisiana law caps the fee a notary can charge for a standard notarial act at No state maximum — notary sets a reasonable fee. A notary who charges more than the legal maximum for a standard act is breaking the law — you're entitled to ask what they charge before they begin.
What to expect
- Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID — the notary can't proceed without one.
- Your notary is required to record the transaction in a journal — expect to sign it and provide some basic details.
- Every document is marked with the notary's official stamp or seal, confirming the notarization is complete.
Remote Online Notarization
Louisiana has adopted RON — documents can be notarized over a live video call.
Full RON details →For aspiring notaries
Becoming a notary in Louisiana
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission term | Lifetime commission — unique to Louisiana's civil-law notary system. Non-attorney notaries maintain it by filing a $50,000 surety bond with the Secretary of State every 5 years (not a fixed commission term). |
| Surety bond | $50,000 bond required |
| Training course | Not required |
| State exam | Required |
Total cost to become a notary in Louisiana typically runs $310–$450, covering the application, bond, and supplies.
Full guide to becoming a notary →Sourced from the National Notary Association, verified July 2026. Confirm current requirements with the Louisiana Secretary of State.