What do I File?

New Applications

• Complete an Application to Qualify ($35 qualifying fee)
• Register online for the Notary Exam Pre-Assessment ($30 test fee)
• Register online for the state notary exam ($100 registration fee)
• Once an applicant has taken and passed the test, the following documents must be filed with the Secretary of State's Office in order to receive their notary commission ($35 commission fee):
• Two Oaths of Office, one to be filed with the secretary of state and the other with the parish clerk of court 
• Official Signature page
• Original or Certified Copy of Notary Surety Bond or Personal Surety Bond approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000 or Original Errors and Omissions policy in the amount of $10,000

New Applications (Attorney only)

• Complete an Application to Qualify ($35 qualifying fee)
• Once an application has been approved, the following documents must be filed with the
  Secretary of State's Office in order to receive their notary commission ($35 commission fee):
• Two Oaths of Office, one to be filed with the secretary of state and the other with the parish clerk of court
• Official Signature page
• An original certificate of good standing from the Louisiana Supreme Court issued within the past 30 days

Parish Changes

• Complete an Application to Qualify ($35 qualifying fee and $35 commission fee)
• Two Oaths of Office to be filed with the secretary of state and parish clerk of court
• Official Signature page
• Original or Certified Copy of Notary Surety Bond, Personal Surety Bond approved by the parish clerk of court, Original Errors and Omissions policy or Rider for an existing surety bond approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000
• Attorneys do not file a notary bond

Name Changes

• Two Oaths of Office to be filed with the secretary of state and parish clerk of court
• Complete Name change form listing name on current commission, name on requested commission and reason for the name change ($35 commission fee)
• Official Signature page
• Original or Certified Copy of Notary Surety Bond, Personal Surety Bond approved by the parish clerk of court, Original Errors and Omissions policy or Rider for an existing surety bond approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000
• Attorneys do not file a notary bond

Dual Commission

• Complete an Application to Qualify ($35 qualifying fee and $35 commission fee)
• Two Oaths of Office to be filed with the secretary of state and parish clerk of court
• Official Signature page
• Original or Certified Copy of Notary Surety Bond, Personal Surety Bond approved by the parish clerk of court, Original Errors and Omissions policy or Rider for an existing surety bond approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000 
  
  Note: Dual commissions can only be obtained for one other parish in which the applicant maintains an office and is not reciprocal with the existing commission. See reciprocal parish list.

Bond Renewal

• Original or Certified Copy of Notary Surety Bond, Personal Surety Bond approved by the parish clerk of court or Original Errors and Omissions policy in the amount of $10,000   
• $20 bond filing fee
     
  Note: Surety bonds and errors and omissions policies are filed with the secretary of state every five years. Personal surety bonds expire at the death of the surety and must be renewed when such occurs.

Leave of Absence

Any notary may request the governor to grant a leave of absence if he or she is to be absent from the parish or state not to exceed 36 months. Provide this office with a letter requesting the leave, specifying the date notary is to be absent and date of return. This request will be forwarded to the Governor's Office for consideration.

Retirement Status

Provide this office with a written request for retirement status with an affidavit attesting to notary's age and certifying that he or she will no longer exercise the duties and functions of a notary while retirement status is in effect. Download Retirement Status Affidavit Form.

Resignation

Any notary may resign his or her commission by signing a letter of resignation and forwarding it to this office. After resigning, the notary shall not exercise any duties or functions of a notary public and may become an active notary again only by completing the application process of his parish, including the exam if applicable.