Seal, Stamp & Signature
A Louisiana notary authenticates acts with a seal and signature; the seal and the notary's ID/commission number identify the officer on every instrument.
Seal and identification
A Louisiana notary must sign each act and use a seal or stamp showing the notary's name, the notary identification number assigned by the Secretary of State, and the parish. The seal and signature give the instrument its authenticating character. The notary ID number ties each act to the commissioned officer.
No expiration on a lifetime commission
Because many Louisiana commissions continue during good behavior rather than expiring on a fixed date, the seal typically does not display an expiration date the way short-term common-law-state seals do. The notary must nonetheless keep the bond and any required filings current for the commission to remain valid.
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