Notary Fees
Unlike most common-law states that cap notary fees at a few dollars, Louisiana notaries often set fees for the professional legal work they perform, within any applicable limits.
Fees reflect professional acts
Because a Louisiana notary drafts and passes legal instruments, fees are generally set by agreement for the work performed rather than fixed at a small statutory per-act amount as in common-law states. Some specific acts may have statutory or customary fee references. The notary should disclose fees in advance and charge reasonably for the service rendered.
Disclosure and reasonableness
Fees should be disclosed to the parties before the act and be reasonable for the complexity of the instrument. Overcharging or failing to disclose can be a basis for complaint. Always confirm any statutory limits that apply to particular acts.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Louisiana Secretary of State (Notary Division)
- Passing score
- A scaled score of 70 (out of 100)
- Time limit
- 240 minutes
Does Louisiana require a notary exam?
Yes — and it is widely regarded as the hardest notary exam in the United States. Non-attorney applicants sit a computer-based, open-book exam given in a single sitting of up to four hours; you may bring the official study guide. Before registering, non-attorneys must complete the Notary Exam Pre-Assessment (a diagnostic, not pass/fail). Louisiana-licensed attorneys are exempt from the exam.
What score do I need to pass the Louisiana notary exam?
You must earn a scaled score of at least 70 out of 100 to pass the state notary examination.
Why is the Louisiana notary exam so much harder than other states'?
Louisiana is the only civil-law jurisdiction in the country, so its notaries have far broader powers than common-law notaries — they can draft and execute authentic acts such as conveyances, mortgages, wills, and successions, functions closer to a European-style notaire. The exam tests that drafting ability, not just witnessing signatures.
How much can a Louisiana notary charge per act?
Louisiana sets no statutory cap on notarial fees. Notaries set their own fees but must disclose them to the client in advance.
Sources: https://www.sos.la.gov/notary, https://www.sos.la.gov/notary/get-exam-information