LA Notary study guide
LA Notary · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Louisiana Notary Public commission is administered through the Louisiana Secretary of State, whose Notary & Certifications division publishes the pathways for becoming a notary, preparing for the notary exam, and getting exam information. This independent study page is for candidates who are deciding whether to pursue a Louisiana notary commission and want a clear picture of what the credential involves before they register. The LA Notary study guide has 5 sections and about 1,606 words.
01Notary Public Law and Duties
Louisiana notaries are public officers commissioned by the governor, ordinarily for the parish where the applicant resides. The commission is not a parish-only license: a Louisiana notary may perform notarial acts anywhere in the state, but the seal identifies the commissioning parish.
325 words, about 2 min02Louisiana Civil Code Notarial Acts and Instruments
1833 defines an authentic act as a writing executed before a notary and two witnesses, signed by each party, each witness, and the notary. The notary must actually preside; a signature stamp or mail-in acknowledgment is not an authentic act.
345 words, about 2 min03Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure and Evidence
An authentic act is full proof of the agreement and is self-authenticating; the proponent need not bring the notary to court merely to prove the signature. The notary’s certificate is prima facie evidence of the facts recited, but it is not conclusive against fraud or a defective-formalities challenge.
295 words, about 1 min04Ethics, Fees, Bonding, and Commission Administration
A Louisiana notary is a public officer, not merely a signature vendor. The notary must avoid conflicts, refrain from notarizing his own signature or an act in which he is a party or has a real interest, and must not give legal advice unless licensed to practice law.
307 words, about 2 min05Remote Online Notarization (RON) and Technology Requirements
Louisiana permits remote online notarization only for notaries who hold a valid Louisiana commission, are physically located in Louisiana during the session, register with the Secretary of State, and use an approved RON provider. The system must support real-time audio-video, identity proofing, electronic signatures, and a tamper-evident electronic seal.
334 words, about 2 min