Louisiana Notaries Urged to Verify Commission Status After Bond Requirement Hike

New state law increases surety bond for non-attorney notaries from $10,000 to $50,000.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:19pm

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A close-up view of a notary stamp resting on a wooden desk, the stamp's metal surface reflecting warm, golden light and casting deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the importance of notarial duties.The new surety bond requirement for non-attorney notaries in Louisiana aims to strengthen oversight, but has created potential disruptions for some practitioners.Baton Rouge Today

The Louisiana Secretary of State's Office is encouraging non-attorney public notaries to verify their commission status following recent changes to state law that increased surety bond requirements. Under a new law that took effect in February 2026, all non-attorney notaries must now maintain a $50,000 surety bond, up from the previous $10,000 requirement. Notaries who did not meet the updated requirement may have had their commissions suspended.

Why it matters

The bond increase aims to provide greater protection for the public by ensuring non-attorney notaries have sufficient financial backing to cover any potential errors or misconduct. However, the change has led to some notaries losing their commissions, which could disrupt important legal and financial transactions that require notarization.

The details

The new law, Act 258 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, applies to both commissioned and ex-officio non-attorney notaries in Louisiana. The Secretary of State's Office sent letters in August 2025 and January 2026 to notify notaries of the upcoming changes and deadline, and also granted an additional two-and-a-half-month grace period to allow for compliance. Notaries who have obtained the required $50,000 bond can upload proof to the Secretary of State's website or mail the document and fee.

  • The new law took effect on February 1, 2026.
  • The Secretary of State's Office sent notification letters in August 2025 and January 2026.
  • There was a two-and-a-half-month grace period after the law took effect.

The players

Louisiana Secretary of State's Office

The state government agency responsible for overseeing notary commissions and requirements.

Non-attorney notaries

Public notaries in Louisiana who are not licensed attorneys, who are now required to maintain a $50,000 surety bond.

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What’s next

Notaries who have not updated their surety bond are urged to proactively confirm their commission status by visiting the Secretary of State's website.

The takeaway

This change in Louisiana's notary bond requirements highlights the ongoing efforts by state governments to strengthen consumer protections and oversight of the notary public profession. Non-attorney notaries will need to carefully review their status and take steps to maintain their commissions to avoid disruptions to important legal and financial transactions.