Commission: Eligibility, Term, Bond & Oath
Becoming a Louisiana notary is uniquely demanding: candidates must pass the rigorous state exam, meet residency and bonding requirements, and—once commissioned—serve broadly and, in most cases, for life during good behavior.
Eligibility and the exam
An applicant must be 18+, a Louisiana resident (or a resident of an adjacent state doing business in the parish, under specific rules), a registered voter or otherwise qualified, and must pass the Secretary of State's notary exam. The exam's difficulty and low pass rate reflect the notary's broad legal responsibilities.
Bond/E&O, oath, and term
A newly qualified Louisiana notary must file a bond or errors-and-omissions coverage (commonly $10,000) and take the oath of office before beginning to act, then register the commission with the parish clerk of court. A Louisiana commission generally continues during good behavior (effectively for life) rather than for a short fixed term, subject to keeping the bond in force and filing required reports.