Notary Public Permit Requirements in New Orleans, LA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC/corporation or have employees. Sole proprietor notaries with no employees may use their SSN.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Louisiana Notary Commission (Permanent)

   Louisiana notaries hold a permanent commission — it does not expire — though notaries must keep a $50,000 surety bond on file with the Secretary of State and pay a bond renewal filing fee to maintain it. The application process is one of the most rigorous in the country, requiring an online pre-assessment (waived for licensed lawyers), passing a four-hour computer-based state examination with a scaled score of 70 of 100, and submitting a detailed application to qualify.

   Official government source

   Published Secretary of State fees: $30 notary exam pre-assessment, $100 examination registration, $100 notary study guide, $35 Application to Qualify for Appointment as Notary Public, $35 commission documents, and $20 notary bond renewal. Credit card payments add a $5 statutory convenience fee. The $50,000 surety bond premium is set by the insurer and is not a Secretary of State fee.·Not published as an end-to-end duration. The exam is offered at least twice a year; registration closes 30 days before the exam date and qualifications plus the pre-assessment are due 37 days before.

   Published Secretary of State fees: $30 notary exam pre-assessment, $100 examination registration, $100 notary study guide, $35 Application to Qualify for Appointment as Notary Public, $35 commission documents, and $20 notary bond renewal. Credit card payments add a $5 statutory convenience fee. The $50,000 surety bond premium is set by the insurer and is not a Secretary of State fee.

   Not published as an end-to-end duration. The exam is offered at least twice a year; registration closes 30 days before the exam date and qualifications plus the pre-assessment are due 37 days before.

2. Louisiana Notary Examination

   All applicants for a Louisiana notary commission must pass a written examination administered by the Secretary of State. It is delivered by computer in a four-hour sitting and measures practical comprehension of Louisiana notarial law, including specific notarial acts and related instruments, using both general-knowledge questions and scenario-based items. A scaled score of 70 of 100 is required to pass. Applicants must also complete an online pre-assessment unless they are licensed lawyers.

   Official government source

   $100 examination registration fee, plus a $30 exam pre-assessment and a separate $100 non-refundable notary study guide. Credit card payments add a $5 statutory convenience fee.·The exam is offered at least twice a year. Registration closes 30 days before the exam date, and qualifications plus the pre-assessment are due 37 days before.

   $100 examination registration fee, plus a $30 exam pre-assessment and a separate $100 non-refundable notary study guide. Credit card payments add a $5 statutory convenience fee.

   The exam is offered at least twice a year. Registration closes 30 days before the exam date, and qualifications plus the pre-assessment are due 37 days before.

3. Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance (Recommended)

   Errors and omissions insurance is not required of Louisiana notaries. It is private insurance that covers financial loss from an unintentional mistake in a notarial act; it does not cover fraud or intentional misconduct and is separate from any bond. Signing-agent industry standards commonly call for at least $25,000 of coverage. Louisiana notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State, which does not endorse or sell E&O policies.

   Set by the private insurer and varies with coverage limit, term and state; the $40–$80/year figure is not from an official source. Get quotes from licensed providers.·Not an official process with a published turnaround — coverage begins when the policy is issued by the insurer.

   Set by the private insurer and varies with coverage limit, term and state; the $40–$80/year figure is not from an official source. Get quotes from licensed providers.

   Not an official process with a published turnaround — coverage begins when the policy is issued by the insurer.

1. New Orleans Occupational License (if operating a notary business)

   If you operate a standalone notary business (notary signing agent services, mobile notary, etc.) in New Orleans, you generally need an Occupational License from the city's Bureau of Revenue (Department of Finance) — not a 'City Clerk's Office.' If notarization is incidental to another profession (e.g., attorney, bank teller), a separate business license may not be required.

   Official government source

   $50/year minimum where gross sales are under $50,000, rising through the city's Occupational License Tax Tables. Professional services fall under Table 6: 0.1% of annual gross receipts, minimum $50 and maximum $2,000.·Not published by the city. Apply through the One Stop App; a temporary Occupational License is generated automatically on approval, and the Amended Return Form must be completed within the first 40 days of operation.

   $50/year minimum where gross sales are under $50,000, rising through the city's Occupational License Tax Tables. Professional services fall under Table 6: 0.1% of annual gross receipts, minimum $50 and maximum $2,000.

   Not published by the city. Apply through the One Stop App; a temporary Occupational License is generated automatically on approval, and the Amended Return Form must be completed within the first 40 days of operation.

Official Sources

• Louisiana — Notary Public Requirements
• Louisiana Secretary of State

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