Signer Identification & Satisfactory Evidence
Identifying the parties and witnesses is essential because a Louisiana notary's acts have strong legal effect. The notary must know the parties or establish identity by satisfactory evidence.
Identifying parties and witnesses
For an authentic act the notary and two competent witnesses must be present with the parties. The notary should identify each party by personal knowledge or by satisfactory documentary evidence (a current government photo ID). Witnesses must be competent (of the age of majority and able to understand). Improper identification undermines the authenticity and proof value of the act.
Competence and capacity
The notary must assess that the parties understand the act and are not incapacitated. Because Louisiana acts can transfer property and create obligations, verifying that a party has capacity and appears willingly is a core duty. A notary who proceeds despite obvious incapacity risks the act being annulled and personal liability.
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