How to Become an Online Notary in Louisiana
Why Should You think about Becoming An Online Notary In Louisiana
Becoming an Online Notary in Louisiana is a simple way to offer convenient services and secure services to clients from wherever you are. Online Notaries offer faster booking and easier document completion turnaround times! Save clients and yourself time by working from home. What are you waiting for?
How Do You Become An Online Notary In Louisiana?
Effective from February 1, 2022, Louisiana Notaries have the opportunity to register for remote online notarizations (RONs). If you’re interested in becoming a remote Notary in LA, follow these steps:
- Maintain an active commission as a traditional Notary Public.
- Establish an agreement with a RON technology provider.
- Successfully complete a RON training course.
- Submit your application to the Secretary of State.
Once you’re authorized to perform RON in Louisiana and approved and familiar with your platform, you can start performing Remote Online Notarizations. Be sure to stay current with all your states local Online Notary laws!
How to Become a Traditional Notary in Louisiana (Get your Notary Commission)
Becoming a Notary Public in Louisiana involves a series of steps:
- Eligibility Check: Ensure that you meet all of Louisiana’s eligibility requirements (see below).
- Application Submission: Complete the Application to Qualify, available on the Secretary of State’s website, and submit it along with the $35 application fee.
- Pre-Assessment Registration: Register for the Notary Exam Pre-Assessment. You will receive log-in instructions via email from the LSU Center for Assessment and Evaluation.
- Exam Registration: After receiving your pre-assessment score, register for the state Notary exam. It’s essential to complete all previous steps at least 30 days before your exam date and register for the exam at least 45 days in advance.
- Study Guide (Optional): Consider purchasing the optional Fundamentals of Louisiana Law and Practice study guide from the Secretary of State for $100.
- Exam Success: Pass the state-required exam.
- Oath and Bond Submission: Execute two Oath of Office forms. Submit one original oath form and your bond or E&O insurance to your parish’s clerk of court. Provide the second oath form, along with your official signature page and an original or certified true copy of your bond or E&O insurance, signed by the parish clerk of court, to the Louisiana Secretary of State.
- Supplies: Acquire your Notary seal and journal.
- E&O Insurance: Consider obtaining errors and omissions (E&O) insurance to minimize financial exposure, if you do not already have a policy.
- Continuing Education and Guidance (Optional but Recommended): Pursue continuing education opportunities and seek advice from experienced Notary experts if you feel the need for additional training or guidance.
Once you have your bond, seal, journal and commission you are ready to start performing notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Louisiana.
What are the requirements to become a Notary in Louisiana?
Certain fundamental qualifications must be met for an individual to become a Notary in Louisiana. Applicants must:
- Attain a minimum age of 18 years.
- Hold the status of a resident citizen or alien within the state.
- Be a registered voter in the parish where the application is submitted.
- Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
- Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Not have felony convictions on their record, unless they have received a pardon.
For further details, consult the Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice or the Louisiana SoS Website.
Are Online Notaries Legal in Louisiana?
Absolutely, Louisiana has fully embraced online notarization following the passage of the bill in February 2022. It’s worth noting that all states, including those without specific RON laws, will recognize the notarial acts performed in Louisiana. While there might be some minor variations from state to state, the established precedents affirm that any notarial act compliant with Louisiana’s RON laws will be deemed valid. Additionally, Louisiana notaries are authorized to conduct online notarizations in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 35:621 et seq.
Louisiana Online Notary FAQ’s
Are Training, Exams, and Equipment Required for Louisiana Remote Online Notaries?
- Training Requirement: Yes, the Louisiana Secretary of State mandates that applicants complete a prescribed course of instruction.
- No Exam: Fortunately, there is no examination requirement for individuals aspiring to become remote online Notaries in the state.
- Necessary Technology and Supplies: To conduct remote notarizations in Louisiana, Notaries must possess a computer with a webcam, microphone, and a secure internet connection. The computer should support two-way audio and video communication via a live feed.
Additionally, Notaries must contract with a Remote Online Notarization (RON) provider that meets state standards like BlueNotary. Other essential supplies include an electronic journal, electronic seal, and a digital certificate which are all provided by BlueNotary. Ensure that these items comply with the specifications of your chosen RON provider.
Do I Need Another Surety Bond or E&O Insurance Policy?
- No Additional Bond: You do not require a second bond in addition to the $10,000 bond or Errors and Omissions (E&O) policy required for your traditional commission.
Is E&O Insurance Mandatory in Louisiana?
- Louisiana mandates that traditional Notaries secure a five-year, $10,000 surety bond or E&O policy. Having either one fulfills the requirement, and obtaining a supplemental or second E&O policy is merely a recommendation, not a necessity.
What to Expect as a Notary?
As in other professions, the amount of work an online notary receives can vary widely. Generally the busiest time is tax season, when documents such as tax returns need to be signed and notarized. However, there is also a steady demand throughout the year from businesses and individuals in need of authentication services. There are many businesses that need consistent notarizations. Did we mention there are over 1.25 billion notarizations performed annually?
It is important to remember that when working as an online notary, you are responsible for adhering to the regulations set forth by the state. This includes making sure documents are properly notarized and witnessed. Always ensure documents contain all of the necessary information. The most successful online notaries spend some time doing their own client acquisition and sales funneling, especially those that are doing it online.
How Much Can You Expect To Make as a Notary in Louisiana?
As you gain more experience and have notarized more documents, you will be able to earn even more by taking on loan signings (where the industry standard is $150 per session) and other creative packages and invoicing clients outside of BlueNotary. You will be able to earn a very decent income – all from the comfort of your home office.
BlueNotary lets you bill your clients at your own rates. This makes your earnings very flexible depending on your ability to build a network.
How do I Start Notarizing Online in Louisiana?
A great place to start is the BlueNotary Free Training Group. There you will find advice from other Louisiana notaries who’ve been through the process and can answer help answer your questions.
Becoming an online notary can be a great way to supplement your income and make a positive impact on the community. As an online notary, you get to decide which platform to use for finding clients.
BlueNotary is the best option for super simple onboarding and the independent notary looking to grow their own business. We even have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process.
Register and get started here: Sign Up.