How to Become a Notary

Any resident citizen or alien of the state, eighteen years of age or older, may be appointed a notary public in and for the parish in which he/she resides provided that he/she meets the requirements established by law for each parish in which he/she applies. According to La.R.S.35:191(C) the following conditions must be met:

  1. Submit an application to the appropriate district court for approval
  1. Take and pass a written examination
  1. Give bond or maintain current insurance coverage

Notary applicants must apply in their parish of residence. Each parish has a Notary Application Committee appointed by the district court to qualify notary applicants for that parish. Qualified notary applicants must take and pass the statewide notary examination unless they are licensed to practice law in Louisiana. Pursuant to Act 423 of the 2006 Regular Louisiana Legislative Session the Notary Examination will be administered by the Secretary of State twice a year on the first Saturday in June and December. As per La.R.S.35:191(C)(2)(b)(i), Should the scheduled Saturday be a state holiday, then the next non-holiday Saturday shall be the test date.

How to Qualify

Contact the Notary Application Committee in your parish of residence. You must be at least 18 years of age, and registered to vote in that parish. The applicant is required to complete the parish’s application procedure. Each parish has their own application process. The contact for your Parish’s Application Committee will be able to instruct you as to the application process in your parish. See Parish Contact List. In addition to your parish’s application there is a Notary Examination Application which will have to be filled out by the applicant, approved by the Parish Examining Committee in the applicant’s parish of residence, and mailed to your resident parish Clerk of Court’s office with the examination fee of $75.00. This application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

How to Apply to Take the Exam

Once you meet the qualifications for your parish, you can apply to take the statewide notary examination by filling out the Notary Examination Application. This application must be approved by your parishNotary Application Committee. The deadline to get your application to the Secretary of State is 45 days prior to the exam, but note that your parish’s deadline will be prior to the state’s deadline.

How to Prepare for the Examination

The Louisiana Notary Public Examination Official Study Guide and the 2007 Study Guide Supplement is available to purchase by completing the Notary Public Study Guide Application. You can purchase the study guide by fax, email, or U. S.mail.

No course or class is required by law in order for you to take the examination, but we suggest you take a good course or join a good study group. The Secretary of State does not recommend particular courses or instructor.

Official Notary Examination Study Guide

(8-3-05) - The Louisiana Notary Public Examination Official Study Guide isavailable for purchase at a cost of $90. Order forms are accepted by mail, fax or email. Forms of payment accepted are check, money order or credit card. Complete and return the Notary Public Study Guide Order Form with appropriate payment and the book will be sent by US Mail.

Examination Format

The purpose of the notarial examination is to test the knowledge of the applicant with regard to the laws governing his office and the exercise of authorized notarial functions, in order to determine his ability to carry out the duties of a notary. (Longman v. Plaquemines Parish Notarial Commission, 570 So. 2d 452, La. App. 4th Cir. (1990).

The examination consists of three parts and lasts about five hours. To pass the examination, examinees must earn a passing score on all three parts in the same test administration, OR a minimum weighted formula score plus a passing score on the scenario portion of the exam.

Part I consists of multiple choice items pertaining to information from the Louisiana Civil Code, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Louisiana Revised Statutes, state attorney general's opinions, and state court decisions that are germane to the office and practice of notary in the state. Items test examinees' knowledge of the law governing the office of notary and the exercise of authorized notarial functions and their ability to comprehend and apply the information.

Part II and Part III, which are performance assessment components of the test, involve an open-book format. Examinees will be allowed to use the two most recent editions (2006, 2007) of Louisiana Civil Code (LCC), a publication in 2 volumes (Thomson/West) edited by A. N. Yiannopoulos, and the Official Study Guide; however, it is not a requirement that you use either resource in Part III. Examinees must furnish their own copies. The LCC and the Official Study Guide may not contain any inserted pages or attachments, but they may be tabbed with tabs that are permanently affixed to the pages and which do not exceed one-half inch square. The tabs must not contain any information except as to indicate the subject matter that is referenced by the placement of the tab. The pages existing in the study guide and in the LCC may be marked up, highlighted, or annotated in any way. A copy of the “Addendum” to the Official Study Guide will beprovided at the test site. (You may not bring your own copy of the “Addendum” into the test room.)

The LCC is required to complete Part II, and examinees may elect to use it in Part III.

Part II, a research component, presents the examinees with passages from the Civil Code and Ancillaries, which examinees must then locate in the LCC.

Part III, a written component, presents the examinee with scenarios to which the examinee must respond effectively in writing. In responding to the scenario, examinees are expected to write out relevant juridical acts and demonstrate an appreciation for the ethics that inform effective notarial practice.

Sample Scenario Examination - These scenarios were used on the December 2, 2006 examination. They are for reference only and will not be used again on future examinations.

Important Notice: This information is subject to change at any time without further notice. Rules and policies for a specific exam administration are furnished to the examinee with admission notification. Contact the Secretary of State's office at 225-922-0507 for questions regarding the application process, registration procedures and filing deadlines. Any question about examination administration or other particulars must be directed to the LSUCenter for Assessment and Evaluation at 225-578-1145. Applicants are encouraged to contact the LSUCenter for Assessment and Evaluation for information pertaining to the examination or its administration.

procedure for becoming a notary public in tangipahoa parish

  1. The Notary exam is given two (2) times a year and will be administered by the Secretary of State on the first Saturday in June and December. As per La.R.S.35:191(C)(2)(b)(i), Should the scheduled Saturday be a state holiday, then the next non-holiday Saturday shall be the test date.

The exam dates and parish deadlines are as follows:

Examination Date / Application & Fee Deadline forTangipahoa Parish
December 1, 2007 / October 11, 2007
June 7, 2008 / April 16, 2008
December 6, 2008 / October 15, 2008
****PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR PARISH DEADLINE WILLBE PRIOR TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE DEADLINE IN ORDER TO FORWARD ALL APPLICATIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE NOTARY DIVISION IN A TIMELY MANNER. YOU HAVE UNTIL NOON ON THE GIVEN DATE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATIONS. NO EXCEPTIONS. ****
  1. To qualify to take the Notary exam, a candidate must file the following two forms with the parish examining committee.
  1. Parish Notarial Application: Complete and return the application with a check or money order payable to Tangipahoa Parish Notarial Examination Committee in the amount of $35.00.
  1. State Notary Examination Application: Complete and return the application with a check or money order payable to Louisiana Secretary of State for $75.00.

Bothapplications must be completed and returned to the Tangipahoa Parish Notarial Examination Committee, 110 North Bay Street, Suite 100, Amite, Louisiana70422, along with the two checks or money orders by noon on the deadline that corresponds with the examination date.

When you timely submit the required forms and application fees, you will be registered for a specific exam date. You will receive an “admission” letter from the Center for Assessment and Evaluation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, confirming your registration and providing you with the date, time and place of the testing site for the exam. If you do not receive your admission letter, please contact our office (985) 748-6874 ext. 218. If you do not take the exam (for any reason) after registering with the state and parish examining committees, your money will not be refunded or transferred.

  1. When you take the test, bring the following with you:
  1. A valid driver’s license or picture I.D.
  2. Your admissions letter received from the Center for Assessment & Evaluation;
  3. Two #2 pencils; and
  4. A copy of the current edition of Thomson-West’s Louisiana Civil Code (2 volumes). A copy may be ordered from Thomson-West.
  5. Louisiana Notary Public Examination Official Study Guide
  1. Examination test booklets will be distributed the morning of the exam and returned to the Secretary of State for grading.

The state examining committee has 45 days to complete the grading process. The exam results will be mail to each applicant by the parish examining committee. For those applicants who pass the exam, the documents needed to file for your Notarial Commission will be included with your results.

tangipahoa parish notarial examination committee

The Notarial Examination Committee for Tangipahoa Parish consists of the following individuals:

Deborah R. KentTrudy Giardina

Notary Public #2827721ST Judicial District Court

Clerk of Court’s OfficePost Office Box 788

Post Office Box 667Amite, LA70422

Amite, LA70422(985) 748-9445

(985) 748-6874 ext. 218

notary public exam preparation courses in the tangipahoa parish area

Duration, prices and content of each course may vary from program to program. The parish examining committee does not endorse any course, but the following are among those available in our area.

  1. Southeastern Louisiana University Notary Review Course, SLU Continuing Education Department, Hammond, Louisiana 70402. (985) 549-2301.
  1. WalkerHigh School Notary Review Course, Walker, Louisiana. Instructor: Sue Dier, (225) 667-5814.

notary public exam preparation study guide and other pertinent materials

Number of pages, prices and content may vary. The parish examining committee does not endorse any particular guide, but the following are available.

  1. Louisiana Notarial Handbook and Study Guide: Contact Mr. Sidney Horn, 343 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana70601 (337) 439-4579;
  2. “Ne Varietur”, The Louisiana Notary: Contact Mr. Douglas Curet, Post Office Drawer 1239, Hammond, 70404 (985) 345-1820;
  3. A Handbook for Louisiana Notary Study by James D. Johnson, Jr., Contact Claitor’s Law Books, Post Office Box 3333 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70321 (225) 344-0476;
  4. Louisiana Civil Code(2006, 2007) a publication in 2 volumes (Thomson/West) edited by A. N. Yiannopoulos;
  5. A Layman’s Guide to Louisiana Wills and Trusts: published by Juris Press, Inc. (1983);
  6. The Louisiana Notary Public Examination Official Study Guide and The Louisiana Notary Public Examination Official Study Guide 2007 Supplement: Contact the Louisiana Secretary of State, Post Office Box 94125, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804 (225) 922-0507, or , Notary Division.

HOW TO FILE for notary commission in Tangipahoa parish

New Application: Non-Attorney

Once you have successfully passed the State exam, you will receive a Certificate of Examination and an application packet from the Tangipahoa Parish Examination Committee. To acquire your Notary Commission,personally hand-carry the Certificate of Examination and the completed forms listed below to the office of the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court, 110 North Bay Street, Suite 100, Amite, Louisiana. You must do this in person.

  1. An Application for Notary Commission.
  2. An Affidavit of Good Moral Characterexecuted by two reputable citizens who are residents of Tangipahoa Parish.
  3. A certified copy of voter’s registration. Contact the Registrar of Voter’s office.
  4. You must obtain a Certificate of Competency from a district court Judge in TangipahoaParish.Contact Trudy Giardina, (985) 748-9445, to obtain your certificate. Please have all other forms completed for the Judge’s approval.
  5. Two Oaths of Office which have been properly executed. Duplicate originals are required. One originalOath of Office is to be filed with the Parish Clerk of Court (where the applicant resides). The second original Oath of Office is filed with the Secretary of State. Both originals must be signed before a notary. The deputy clerk administering your oath can act as notary but you must wait and sign the oaths in his/her presence.
  6. An Official Signature page.
  7. Surety or Personal surety bond that has been signed by the parish Clerk of Court in the amount of $10,000.
    OR
    Errors and Omissions policy in the amount of $10,000. Parish recording costs are as follows: $25.00 for the first page; $10.00 for each additional page, and $3.00 for a conformed copy. (A photo copy should be provided by applicant.)
    OR
    Attorneys provide an original certificate of good standing from the Louisiana Supreme Court issued within the past 30 days. Attorneys do not have to file a notary bond.
  8. Check or money order payable to the Secretary of State in the amount of $35.
    Note: Completed documents should be mailed to the Secretary of State for filing. Louisiana Secretary of State, Notary Division, Post Office Box 94125, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9125.
  9. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please call the notary contact in your parish.

New Application: Attorney

To acquire your Notary Commission, attorneys who have just been admitted to practice law in the State of Louisiana or who have moved to Tangipahoa Parish must personally hand-carry the completed forms listed below to the office of the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court, 110 North Bay Street, Suite 100, Amite, Louisiana. You must do this in person.

  1. An Application for Notary Commission.
  2. An Affidavit of Good Moral Character executed by two reputable citizens who are residents of Tangipahoa Parish.
  3. A certified copy of voter’s registration. Contact the Registrar of Voter’s office.
  4. You must obtain a Certificate of Competency from a district court Judge in TangipahoaParish. Contact Trudy Giardina, (985) 748-9445, to obtain your certificate. Please have all other forms completed for the Judge’s approval.
  5. Two Oaths of Office which have been properly executed. Duplicate originals are required. One original Oath of Office is to be filed with the Parish Clerk of Court (where the applicant resides). The second original Oath of Office is filed with the Secretary of State. Both originals must be signed before a notary. The deputy clerk administering your oath can act as notary but you must wait and sign the oaths in his/her presence.
  6. An Official Signature page.
  7. Attorneys provide an original certificate of good standing from the Louisiana Supreme Court issued within the past 30 days. Attorneys do not have to file a notary bond.
  8. Check or money order payable to the Secretary of State in the amount of $35.
    Note: Completed documents should be mailed to the Secretary of State for filing. Louisiana Secretary of State, Notary Division, Post Office Box 94125, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9125.
  9. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please call the notary contact in your parish.

Parish Change

To changethe parish of your Notary Commission to Tangipahoa Parish,you must complete and return the following documents to the office of the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court. You must do this in person.

  1. An Application for Notary Commission.
  2. An Affidavit of Good Moral Character executed by two reputable citizens who are residents of Tangipahoa Parish.
  3. A certified copy of voter’s registration. Contact the Registrar of Voter’s office.
  4. You must obtain a Certificate of Competency from a district court Judge in TangipahoaParish. Contact Trudy Giardina, (985) 748-9445, to obtain your certificate. Please have all other forms completed for the Judge’s approval.
  5. Two Oaths of Office which have been properly executed. Duplicate originals are required. One original Oath of Office is to be filed with the Parish Clerk of Court (where the applicant resides). The second original Oath of Office is filed with the Secretary of State. Both originals must be signed before a notary. The deputy clerk administering your oath can act as notary but you must wait and sign the oaths in his/her presence.
  6. An Official Signature page.
  7. Surety or Personal surety bond that has been signed by the parish Clerk of Court in the amount of $10,000.
    OR
    Errors and Omissions policy in the amount of $10,000. Parish recording costs are as follows: $25.00 for the first page; $10.00 for each additional page, and $3.00 for a conformed copy. (A photo copy should be provided by applicant.)
    OR
    Attorneys provide an original certificate of good standing from the Louisiana Supreme Court issued within the past 30 days. Attorneys do not have to file a notary bond.
  8. Check or money order payable to the Secretary of State in the amount of $35.
    Note: Completed documents should be mailed to the Secretary of State for filing. Louisiana Secretary of State, Notary Division, Post Office Box 94125, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9125.
  9. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please call the notary contact in your parish.

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