Louisiana Remote Online Notarization

Remote online notarization lets a Louisiana notary perform notarial acts with a signer who appears via live audio-video from anywhere in the world, rather than in person. The signer does not need to be in Louisiana — but you do. That physical-presence requirement and a few other rules make Louisiana's RON setup distinct from other states.

Here is how to add RON authority to your existing commission.

Prerequisites

RON authority is an add-on to your traditional Louisiana notary commission. You must already be an active, commissioned notary in good standing before you can apply. If your commission is suspended (for a lapsed bond, missing annual report, or any other reason), you cannot register for RON until it is restored.

Step 1: Complete the RON Training Course

The Secretary of State offers an official online RON training course through the notary portal. You take the course online, pass a quiz at the end, and download a PDF completion certificate.

This is not a lengthy program — it covers the technical and legal requirements specific to remote notarization under Louisiana Revised Statutes 35:621 through 35:630. Keep the PDF certificate; you will upload it during registration.

Step 2: Select an Approved Technology Vendor

Louisiana requires RON notaries to use a platform from the Secretary of State's Approved Vendor List. As of 2026, approved vendors include companies like NotaryLive, BlueNotary, and SIGNiX, among others.

Your chosen platform handles the technical infrastructure: credential analysis, knowledge-based authentication (KBA) for signers, electronic seals, digital signatures, and the mandatory audio-video recording of each session. The platform fees vary — some charge per-session, others charge monthly subscriptions. Compare vendor pricing against your expected transaction volume before committing.

Step 3: Register with the Secretary of State

Log into your online notary portal, complete the RON registration form, upload your PDF course certificate, identify your chosen technology provider, and pay the one-time $100 state registration fee.

Processing typically takes 1–5 business days. Once approved, your RON authority is noted in the state database alongside your traditional commission.

The Physical Presence Requirement

This is the rule that surprises notaries coming from states with less restrictive RON laws: during a remote online notarization, you must be physically located within your authorized Louisiana parish, even though the signer can be located anywhere globally.

If you hold statewide jurisdiction (meaning you passed the state exam on or after June 13, 2005), you can perform RON from anywhere in Louisiana. But you cannot perform Louisiana RON while you are physically sitting in Texas, Florida, or any other state.

Electronic Seal and Journal Requirements

Traditional Louisiana notaries do not legally need a physical stamp. RON notaries, however, must use an electronic seal provided through their approved technology platform. This is mandatory for every remote transaction.

RON also imposes strict record-keeping requirements that traditional notarization does not. You must maintain an electronic journal and a complete audio-video recording of every remote session. Both must be securely retained for a minimum of 10 years. Your approved platform handles the technical storage, but the legal obligation is yours.

Electronic Notarization vs. Remote Online Notarization

These terms are not interchangeable, and confusing them creates compliance problems.

Electronic notarization (IPEN) — the signer appears in person, physically in front of you, but signs a digital document using an electronic signature. The notarization ceremony is face-to-face; only the document and signature are electronic.

Remote online notarization (RON) — the signer appears remotely via live audio-video. Identity is verified through credential analysis and KBA. The entire ceremony is conducted online.

Both require an electronic seal and digital signature certificate, but RON has additional requirements (approved vendor, audio-video recording, 10-year retention) that IPEN does not.

Costs

The Louisiana Notary Commission Guide includes a RON authorization checklist covering every step from training through vendor selection and registration, plus the ongoing compliance requirements for record retention.

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