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Please read this first We work to keep state commissioning information current, but requirements, fees, and forms can change faster than we can update this page. Confirm every step with the Louisiana Secretary of State, Notary Division using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
Louisiana commissions parish notaries through the Secretary of State (on behalf of the Governor). Remote online notarization is a later authorization under the Remote Online Notarization Act (R.S. 35:621 et seq.). Registrations opened February 1, 2022. Only a duly appointed notary who resides in Louisiana and holds a current commission may register.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Secretary of State’s current instructions if anything here differs from the official site.
For a U.S. overview of remote online notary authorization, see the National Notary Association’s How to Become a Remote Online Notary. Follow the Louisiana Secretary of State, Notary Division’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a Louisiana notary public, you must meet all of the following:
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Start Here: Qualify, Then RON Registration
Complete the traditional parish commission first. RON is a one-time registration in your online notary account after the SOS course and quiz.
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Read the official notary and RON pages Open Ways to File, Notary Frequently Asked Questions, and RON Requirements. |
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File qualifying documents with the Secretary of State Use Ways to File for qualifying, exam, oaths, signature page, bond, and commission fees. |
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If you already hold a current Louisiana commission and reside in Louisiana, register for RON before the first remote act Complete the SOS course and quiz, then file in your online notary account as RON Requirements instructs. |
Part 1: Traditional Louisiana Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired Louisiana notary commission and reside in Louisiana. You cannot register for RON until this is in place.
Checklist
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Review the official how-to Ways to File and Notary Frequently Asked Questions. Dual commissions are limited to one additional parish where you maintain an office and that is not reciprocal with the existing commission. |
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Complete traditional notary education Non-attorneys: register for the Notary Exam Pre-Assessment ($30) and the state notary exam ($100 registration). Attorneys are exempt from the exam (Ways to File). |
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Obtain a $50,000 surety bond Non-attorneys file a $50,000 surety or personal surety. Surety bonds renew every five years; a $20 bond filing fee is listed on Notary Frequently Asked Questions. After February 1, 2026, clerk-of-court pre-approval of the bond is no longer required before SOS filing (Ways to File). |
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Submit the traditional application Application to Qualify is $35. After you pass (or as an attorney), file two oaths, the official signature page, the bond (if required), and a $35 commission fee (Ways to File). |
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Receive your commission The Secretary of State commissions you on behalf of the Governor. Keep the commission current; RON authorization depends on it. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
Complete this only with a current Louisiana commission and Louisiana residence. Select technology, complete the SOS course and quiz, then register in your online notary account. Do not perform remote acts until the SOS record shows RON authorization.
Have these ready
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Checklist
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Read the official online-notary instructions RON Requirements and R.S. 35:621 et seq. |
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Complete online notary education Complete the SOS online instruction course and pass the quiz. Save a PDF certificate of completion. |
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Start the online commission application Complete RON registration in your online notary account and upload the quiz certificate as a PDF (RON Requirements). |
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Sign with a digital certificate Obtain and pay for remote notary technology directly with the selected provider. The SOS filing fee is separate from provider charges. |
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Upload your electronic seal Louisiana’s RON filing is the online-account registration plus the quiz PDF, not a separate SOS seal-upload portal. Complete seal setup with the provider. |
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Pay and submit The one-time SOS filing fee is $100. You may begin remote online notarizations only after the notary record is updated to show authorization. |
After You Are Commissioned
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Do not let the traditional commission lapse. RON registration is not a stand-alone commission.
Fees Listed by the Secretary of State
Traditional amounts are from Ways to File and Notary Frequently Asked Questions. The $100 RON fee is from RON Requirements. Confirm them there before you pay. Bond premiums and RON platform fees are extra. Credit-card filings may include a $5 statutory convenience fee.
| Item | Listed amount |
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| Notary exam pre-assessment | $30 (non-attorneys) |
| State notary exam registration | $100 (non-attorneys) |
| Application to Qualify | $35 |
| Commission filing | $35 |
| RON registration (one-time) | $100 |
| Surety / personal surety bond | $50,000 coverage (non-attorneys); $20 SOS bond filing fee as listed on the FAQ |
Official Louisiana Links
| Resource | Where to go |
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| Ways to File | sos.la.gov/notary/ways-to-file |
| RON Requirements | sos.la.gov/notary/ron-requirements |
| Remote technology providers | coraweb.sos.la.gov/Notary/RemoteNotaryApprovedVendorList.aspx |
| Notary Division | [email protected] |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?
A: No. You must already be a duly appointed, currently commissioned Louisiana notary who resides in Louisiana.
Q: Does Louisiana approve a list of RON platforms?
A: Yes. The Secretary of State publishes a list of remote online notary technology providers. It is the notary’s responsibility to verify technology, qualifications, usability, and fees. The list is not an endorsement.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use RON Requirements and Ways to File.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
