Louisiana Notary Eligibility Requirements

Louisiana's notary eligibility rules are more specific than most states, and two of them — voter registration and the felony standard — work differently than candidates expect. Before you pay the $35 application fee, confirm you meet every requirement. The Application to Qualify fee is non-refundable, and a rejected application costs you money and time.

The Six Statutory Requirements

Under Louisiana Revised Statute 35:191, you must meet all of the following to qualify for a notary commission:

1. At least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit. Louisiana commissions last for life, so you can apply at any age past 18.

2. Louisiana resident. You must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of Louisiana. The statute uses "resident citizen or legal alien" — you do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be a lawful permanent resident living in Louisiana.

3. Registered voter in the parish of application. This is the requirement that catches most people. You must be registered to vote in the specific parish where you are seeking your commission. If you recently moved parishes, you need to update your voter registration before applying. If you live in Jefferson Parish but want a commission based on an office in Orleans Parish, you must either register to vote in Orleans or apply for a dual commission from your residential parish.

4. High school graduate or equivalent. A high school diploma, GED, or approved equivalent satisfies this requirement. There is no college degree requirement.

5. Able to read, write, and speak English. This is a functional literacy requirement — you will be drafting legal instruments, executing authentic acts, and interacting with courts and recording offices in English.

6. No unpardoned felony convictions. This does not mean felons can never become notaries. It means the felony must have been pardoned. If you have been convicted of a felony and received a pardon from the governor, you are eligible. An expungement, set-aside, or completion of sentence alone does not satisfy this requirement — a pardon is specifically required.

The Background Check

When you submit your Application to Qualify through the Secretary of State's CORA portal, the office runs a background check. If your application answers or the background check raise questions about "good moral character, integrity, or sober habits," the Secretary of State refers your file to the district court of the parish where you're seeking the commission.

The district court review is not an automatic denial. The court evaluates the circumstances — the nature and age of any criminal history, evidence of rehabilitation, and your current character. Some applicants with past issues have been approved after judicial review. However, this process takes additional time and may require you to appear before the court.

Voter Registration Details

The voter registration requirement is parish-specific and verified at the time of application. A few clarifications:

• You must be registered in the parish where you apply, not just anywhere in Louisiana
• Registration must be current and active (not suspended or cancelled)
• If you are a legal permanent resident who is not eligible to vote, this requirement may present an obstacle — consult the Secretary of State's office directly
• Updating voter registration after a parish move takes effect immediately upon acceptance by the Registrar of Voters

Dual-Parish Applications

Under R.S. 35:191(A)(1), you can be appointed as a notary for the parish where you reside and for one other parish where you maintain a physical office. If you want to apply based on your office location rather than your residence, the voter registration requirement follows the parish of application. Dual commissions require separate applications and filings for each parish.

What Disqualifies You

Besides the six statutory requirements, there is no published list of automatic disqualifiers beyond unpardoned felony convictions. The "good moral character" standard is evaluated case-by-case through judicial review if questions arise. Misdemeanor convictions, bankruptcy, and civil judgments are not automatic bars, but they may trigger the district court referral process.

The most common reason applications are rejected outright is not a background issue — it is an incomplete or incorrect voter registration that does not match the parish of application.

The Louisiana Notary Commission Guide walks through every eligibility requirement with a pre-application verification checklist, so you confirm everything is in order before spending the non-refundable $35 application fee.

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