La. Admin. Code tit. 46:XLVI — Professional and Occupational Standards: Notaries Public

Part XLVI Notaries Public

Chapter 1 Notaries Public

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 101 Qualifications

A. Any resident citizen or alien of the state, 18 years of age or older, may be appointed a notary public in and for the parish in which he resides provided that he/she meets the requirements established by R.S. 35:191(C).

B. The applicant is required to complete an application to qualify form requiring the applicant to:

1. be a citizen or resident alien of the state;

2. be 18 years of age or older;

3. be registered to vote in the parish in which he seeks commission;

4. attest to his good moral character, integrity and sober habits;

5. must not be under an order of interdiction or is incapable of serving because of mental infirmity; and

6. must not have been convicted of a felony or has been pardoned if convicted.

C. The applicant must be able to read, write, speak, and be sufficiently knowledgeable of the English language. In addition, he must have one of the following:

1. received a high school diploma;

2. received a diploma for completion of a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; or

3. been issued a high school equivalency diploma after successfully completing the test of General Education Development (GED).

D. The qualifying application fee is shown in §129.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:191 and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2784 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 103 Applications

A. notary applicant must be qualified by the notary division in the office of the secretary of state and must take and pass the Louisiana state notary examination (referred to as “notary exam”), unless the applicant is licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

B. The applicant must complete an application to qualify form and send it to the notary division in the secretary of state's office. Once the application to qualify form has been approved by the secretary of state's office, the applicant can register to take the notary exam by:

1. registering online at the secretary of state's website using a credit card; or

2. completing the examination registration form and:

a. attaching a check or money order made payable to the secretary of state and mailing the examination registration form to the notary division; or

b. completing a credit card cover sheet and faxing or emailing the sheet with the examination registration form to the notary division.

C. To file online, the applicant must contact the notary division to obtain his access code by emailing notaries@sos.la.gov or by calling (225) 922-0507.

D. The registration fee to take the notary exam is shown in §129.

E. Deadlines for submitting application to qualify and examination registration form are listed on the secretary of state's website notary division.

F. The notary exam is given twice a year on the first Saturday in June and December. If the date falls on a state holiday, the notary exam will be given on the next non-holiday Saturday. The Office of Assessment and Evaluation within Louisiana State University conducts the notary exams regionally on behalf of the secretary of state's office.

G. Any notary public commissioned by passing a parish notary exam can take the notary exam to obtain statewide jurisdiction. Failure to pass the notary exam shall have no effect on the status of the commission of the notary.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:191, R.S. 35:191.1, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2784 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 105 Study Guide

A. The official study guide for the notary exam is "The Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice."

B. The cost to purchase the study guide is shown in §129 and is non-refundable.

C. The study guide can be purchased by:

1. ordering online at the secretary of state's website using a credit card;

2. completing an order form, attaching a check or money order made payable to the secretary of state, and mailing to the notary division;

3. completing an order form and providing a credit card number and faxing or emailing to the notary division; or

4. visiting the notary division's customer service counter at the secretary of state's office at 8585 Archives Drive, Baton Rouge, LA during office hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

D. The study guide is sent via U.S. mail on the day of receipt of the order if received before 12:30 p.m. Orders received after 12:30 p.m. will be mailed the next business day.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:191.1 and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2785 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 107 Courses

A. Applicants are not required by law to take a course or instruction class in order for an applicant to take the notary exam.

B. Although the secretary of state does not recommend particular courses or instructors, the department does maintain a list of registered and bonded notary exam preparatory course providers.

C. All course providers, except an educational institution listed in R.S. 35:191.4(D), shall annually post a bond guarantee by a commercial surety company licensed to do business in Louisiana with the secretary of state in the amount of $25,000.

D. Beginning February 8, 2015, all persons providing notary examination preparatory education and instruction must be a notary public with statewide notarial authority.

E. Each provider must submit an annual registration statement to the secretary of state on or before January 1 of each year on a form provided by the secretary of state. In addition, each provider shall submit a semiannual report to the secretary of state on or before June 30 and December 31 listing the name and address of each person who received a course or courses of instruction or study from the provider for the training and instruction for the notary exam required by the secretary of state during the time covered by the report.

F. Pursuant to R.S. 35:191.4(F)), if a provider does not submit an annual report or the annual report is not submitted timely, penalties may be imposed up to $1,000 for each day the provider is not in compliance with this section.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:191.4 and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2785 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 109 Louisiana State Notary Public Examinations

A. The notary exams are given at regional testing centers throughout the state.

B. The examinee can elect to take the notary exam in a computer-testing format or a paper-and-pencil format.

C. The registration fee for the notary exam is shown in §129.

D. Statewide standards for the notary exam are available on the secretary of state's website under the section notary division examinations. These standards include:

1. application procedures;

2. examination schedule;

3. examination format and content; and

4. procedures for review of any examination which was taken and was failed by the examinee.

E. The Office of Assessment and Evaluation for Louisiana State University is offering a notary exam pre-assessment test to show the likelihood of a candidate's ability to be successful on the notary exam. Please refer to the secretary of state's website notary division for more information regarding this pre-assessment test. See §129 for the pre-assessment test fee.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:191, R.S. 35:191.1, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2785 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 111 Notary Commission

A. Once an applicant has taken and passed the notary exam, the following documents must be filed with the secretary of state's office along with the commission filing fee (see §129), in order to receive his notary commission;

1. two oaths of office forms, properly executed (one copy filed with secretary of state and one copy filed with parish clerk of court);

2. official signature page;

3. either of the following (exempt if an attorney):

a. surety bond or personal surety bond that has been approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000; or

b. errors and omissions policy in the amount of $10,000; or

4. if an attorney, a certificate of good standing from the Louisiana Supreme Court (in lieu of bond or errors and omissions policy); and

5. commission filing fee (see §129) with a check or money order made payable to the secretary of state.

B. A notary is commissioned based upon the commission date indicated on the notary database. He does not have to wait until he receives the commission certificate from the secretary of state's office before performing notary functions. In addition, a notary is commissioned for life.

C. A notary may request an additional commission certificate or replace a certificate by logging into his file online or by contacting the notary division. The fees for a certificate of notary commission or a replacement notary certificate are shown in §129.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:71, R.S. 35:72, R.S. 35:75, R.S. 35:191, R.S. 35:191.2, R.S. 36:742, and Attorney General Opinion 1940 Volume 42 Page 2,346.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2785 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 113 Attorneys

A. An attorney who is licensed to practice law in Louisiana can obtain a notary commission by filing a qualifying application and commission documents.

B. The notary commission for an attorney must be filed in the parish of their residence.

C. An attorney is exempt from taking the notary exam and from the surety bond or personal surety bond requirements.

D. An attorney has statewide jurisdiction.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:71, R.S. 35:191, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2786 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 115 Parish Changes

A. If a notary moves to another parish, he must submit the following to the secretary of state:

1. completed qualifying application form with the qualifying fee which is separate from commission filing fee;

2. two oaths of office forms, properly executed (one copy filed with secretary of state and one copy filed with parish clerk of court);

3. official signature page;

4. either of the following (exempt if an attorney):

a. surety bond or personal surety bond that has been approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000;

b. errors and omissions policy in the amount of $10,000; or

c. rider for an existing surety bond that has been approved by the parish clerk of court changing the parish; and

5. commission filing fee (see §129) with a check or money order made payable to the secretary of state.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:71, R.S. 35:72, R.S. 35:75, R.S. 35:191, R.S. 35:191.3, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2786 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 117 Name Changes

A. If a notary's name changes, the notary must submit the following to the secretary of state:

1. two oaths of office forms, properly executed (one copy filed with secretary of state and one copy filed with parish clerk of court);

2. name change form listing name on current commission, new name requested, and reason for change;

3. official signature page;

4. either of the following (exempt if an attorney):

a. original or certified true copy surety or personal surety bond that has been approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000;

b. original errors and omissions policy in the amount of $10,000; or

c. rider for an existing surety bond that has been approved by the parish clerk of court changing the name on the bond; and

5. commission filing fee (see §129) with a check or money order made payable to the secretary of state.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:71, R.S. 35:72, R.S. 35:75, R.S. 35:191, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2786 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 119 Dual Commission

A. Dual commissions can only be obtained for one other parish in which the notary maintains an office and is not reciprocal with the existing commission (see reciprocal parish list.)

B. If a notary requests a dual commission, he must submit the following to the secretary of state:

1. two oaths of office forms, properly executed (one copy filed with secretary of state and one copy filed with parish clerk of court);

2. official signature page;

3. either of the following (exempt if an attorney):

a. surety bond or personal surety bond that has been approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000; or

b. errors and omissions policy in the amount of $10,000; and

4. commission filing fee (see §129) with a check or money order made payable to the secretary of state.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:71, R.S. 35:191, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2786 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 121 Notary Bond Renewal

A. Surety bonds and errors and omissions policies are filed with the secretary of state every five years. Personal surety bonds expire at the death of the surety and must be renewed when such occurs.

B. Either of the following must be submitted to the secretary of state for bond renewal (exempt if an attorney):

1. surety bond or personal surety bond that has been approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000; or

2. errors and omissions policy in the amount of $10,000.

C. A check or money order made payable to the secretary of state for the notary bond renewal filing fee (see §129) must accompany the renewal for the notary bond.

D. A notary who fails to renew his notarial bond timely or fails to file his new or renewed bond of evidence of insurance coverage will be automatically suspended and will not have authority to perform the functions of a notary.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:71, R.S. 35:72, R.S. 35:75, R.S. 35:191, and R.S. 36:742
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2786 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 123 Leave of Absence

A. The secretary of state, on behalf of the governor, may grant a leave of absence to any notary that is absent from the state for a period not to exceed 36 months. The notary must provide the secretary of state with a letter requesting the leave specifying the date the notary is to be absent and the date of return.

B. If a notary is in the military service, he should notify the secretary of state's office certifying that he is a member of the military service of the United States or state of Louisiana. Included on the notification letter, he should show the expiration date of his bond and the period of leave which begins when the leave is granted. The notary will then have 60 days after the date of discharge to give the notary time to apply for a new bond.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:131 et seq., R.S. 35:202, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 125 Retirement Status

A. Any notary who is 70 years or older shall be permitted to retire his commission by filing a retirement status affidavit form attesting to the notary's age and certifying that he will no longer exercise the duties and functions of a notary while retirement status is in effect.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:202 and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 127 Resignation

A. Any notary may resign his commission by signing a letter of resignation and forwarding it to the secretary of state's office. After resigning, the notary shall not exercise any duties or functions of a notary public and may become an active notary again only by completing the application process of his parish including taking the exam, if applicable.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:202 and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 129 Notary Division Fee Schedule

A. The fee schedule for notaries public is as follows.

Item

Fee

Annual Report

$25

Certificate of Notary Commission

$20

Certified Copy of Notary Bond

$20

Commission Filing Fee

$35

Notary Bond Renewal

$20

Notary Exam Pre-Assessment Test

$30

Notary Exam Registration Fee

$75

Notary Filing Information Packet

$0

Notary Study Guide

$90

Qualifying Application Fee

$35

Replacement Identification Card

$3

Replacement Notary Certificate

$15

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:1 et seq., R.S. 35:191.2, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 131 Notary Seal

A. A notary's signature is his seal. If he elects to have a seal to use when notarizing documents, he is not required to have a particular style of seal to give authenticity to his copies.

B. The name of the notary and the witnesses must be typed, printed legibly, or stamped.

C. Every document notarized in the state of Louisiana shall have the notary identification number assigned to him/her by the secretary of state and that number shall be typed or printed legibly and placed next to the notary's name. If the notary is an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the state of Louisiana, he may use his Louisiana state bar roll number in lieu of his notary identification number.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:12 and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 133 Reciprocal Parishes

A. There are groups of reciprocal parishes created by the legislature (see R.S. 35:191). The reciprocal agreement allows a validly appointed notary in a parish authorization to exercise any and all functions of a notary in the reciprocal parishes without additional bonding or examination. For a list of reciprocal parishes, see the secretary of state's website notary division.

B. If a notary moves to a parish that is in his reciprocal grouping, he is still required to be commissioned in the parish he resides in.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:191 and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 135 Fees to be Charged by a Notary Public

A. Louisiana does not have a statutory fee schedule which would determine or limit what a notary can charge for his services.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 137 Notary Database

A. The secretary of state's website contains current contact information on all notaries commissioned in the state of Louisiana.

B. If a notary is listed on the notary database as being suspended, the notary did not file his annual report or his bond has expired.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:191.2 and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 139 Annual Report

A. Within 60 days prior to the anniversary date of the notary's commission, the notary division shall mail out an annual report notice to all notaries in the state of Louisiana.

B. The notary can file his report by:

1. registering online at the secretary of state's website using a credit card; or

2. completing the annual report form and:

a. attaching a check or money order made payable to the secretary of state and mailing to the notary division; or

b. completing the credit card cover sheet and faxing or emailing with the annual report to the notary division.

C. The annual report filing fee is shown in §129.

D. To file online, the notary will be required to use his notary identification number and the unique access code which is printed on the front of the annual report renewal notice post card.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:191.2, R.S. 35:202, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2787 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 141 Ex-Officio Notaries Public

A. An ex-officio notary public must meet the same qualifications as a notary public listed in §101 above.

B. An ex-officio notary is required to file either of the following with the notary division of the secretary of state's office as a condition for the faithful performance of all duties required by law toward all persons who may employ him as an ex-officio notary:

1. original or certified true copy surety or personal surety bond that has been approved by the parish clerk of court in the amount of $10,000; or

2. original errors or omissions policy in the amount of $10,000.

C. If the ex-officio notary is a state employee who serves as an ex-officio notary in the course and scope of his employment, he must file his oath of office with the secretary of state's office.

D. An ex-officio notary is authorized to perform functions, powers, and authority only as directly related to and required for the operation of the office, agency, or department under which the authority is granted.

E. Title 35 Chapter 6 of the Revised Statutes contains specific requirements for ex-officio notaries who will perform various functions of a notary public in their place of employment (i.e. administer oaths, take acknowledgments, attest on affidavits, etc.).

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:391 et seq. and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2788 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 143 Provisional Notary

A. A notary applicant can be provisionally commissioned if he meets the following qualifications and requirements:

1. the applicant resides and maintains a residence in a parish with a population of less than 40,000;

2. the applicant has passed the multiple choice and research section of the notary exam on or after December 1, 2009;

3. the applicant's authority to exercise the powers of a notary public is only within the course and scope of the applicant's employment;

4. the applicant's notarial authority shall be under the direction of a supervisor for the employer;

5. the applicant's supervisor shall not be a notary;

6. the applicant's employer must be a business that was in existence prior to January 1, 2013;

7. the applicant's employer shall not be a business whose primary function is to provide notary services;

8. the applicant's employer must be a party to the act or instrument being sworn to, acknowledged or passed before or the act or other instrument is necessary to or incidental to the business activity or operations of the employer;

9. at least one of the persons appearing before the applicant to execute an affidavit, acknowledgment, or other notarial act or instrument is a former, current, or prospective client or a customer of the employer;

10. applicant's jurisdiction is within the parish of commission and in any adjacent parish with a population of less than 40,000 where his employer maintains an office;

11. the applicant must post and maintain a bond, at the expense of employer, in the amount of $20,000;

12. the applicant's employer shall hold harmless any claim made against the notary bond when the applicant is acting in the course and scope of employment or under the direction of the employer;

13. the applicant must submit the completed and notarized application for provisional notarial appointment provided by the secretary of state to the notary division;

14. the applicant is required to attend the notary orientation class provided by the secretary of state;

15. if the employer terminates the employment or no longer wishes to be bound by these provisions, he shall immediately send written notice to the secretary of state and the commission shall be automatically revoked unless:

a. the applicant declares in writing his intention to remain a provisional notary with an inactive status until a new application for provisional notary form from another employer is submitted to the secretary of state; or

b. the applicant declares in writing the desire to remain a provisional notary with an inactive status while pursuing successful completion of the notary exam and shall exercise no notarial functions until notified by the secretary of state that his status has been changed;

16. if the applicant voluntarily terminates employment with named employer, a written notification to the secretary of state must be submitted and:

a. the applicant declares in writing his intention to remain a provisional notary with an inactive status until a new application for provisional notary form from another employer is submitted to the secretary of state; or

b. declares in writing his intention to remain a provisional notary with an inactive status while pursuing successful completion of the notary exam and shall have no authority to exercise notarial functions until notified by the secretary of state that his status has been changed;

17. the applicant understands that the employer is not liable for any damages caused by negligent or fraudulent errors or omissions when notarizing outside the course and scope of employment;

18. the commission can be suspended or revoked by the court or suspended by the secretary of state pursuant to R.S. 35:15; and

19. the provisional notary commission shall expire on August 1, 2016 unless all sections of the notary exam have been successfully completed.

B. The provisional notary has no authority to:

1. draft and prepare a last will and testament or donation mortis causa;

2. draft and prepare a trust; or

3. draft and prepare any instrument that transfers title to immovable property including but not limited to an act of sale or act of donation.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:15, R.S. 35:191, and R.S. 36:742.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 39:2788 (October 2013).

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XLVI, § 144 Authority to Perform Remote Online Notarization

A. A notary public who has been duly appointed and commissioned as provided for under R.S. 35:191, who currently holds a valid commission as provided by R.S. 35:191(A)(3), and whose authority to exercise the functions of a notary public is not suspended may be authorized by the secretary of state to perform remote online notarization upon satisfaction of the following requirements:

1. submitting an application using the form provided by the secretary of state for authorization to perform remote online notarization during the term of that notary public’s commission;

2. successfully completing an education program provided by the secretary of state covering the statutes and rules governing the remote online notarization;

3. paying a one-time fee of $100 to the secretary of state upon filing the application for authorization to perform remote online notarization.

B. A notary public authorized to perform remote online notarization may do so for as long as:

1. the notary maintains a valid notarial commission as provided by R.S. 35:191(A)(3);

2. the authority of the notary to perform notarial functions is not suspended; and

3. the authority of the notary to perform remote online notarization has not suspended or revoked.

C. Identity proofing shall be performed through either of the following:

1. dynamic knowledge-based authentication that is performed through the administration of a quiz completed by the party or witness whose identity is being verified that satisfies the following requirements:

a. the quiz shall consist of five questions related to the personal history or identity of the party or witness, formulated from public or proprietary data sources;

b. each question shall contain a minimum of five possible answer choices;

c. all questions must be answered within two minutes; and

d. following a failed attempt by a party or witness, the quiz may be administered no more than once within a 24-hour period. The second administration may consist of no more than 40 percent of the questions presented during the first administration;

2. analysis of biometric data, including facial recognition, voiceprint analysis, or fingerprint analysis.

D. Credential analysis shall ensure that the credential is unexpired, government-issued identification credential that contains the photograph and signature of the party or witness whose identity is being verified by a process that does both of the following:

1. uses automated software processes to aid the notary public in verifying the identity of a party or any witness; and

2. ensures the credential passes an authenticity test consistent with sound commercial practices that meet the following requirements:

a. confirms the integrity of visual, physical, or cryptographic security features;

b. confirms that the credential is not fraudulent or modified in a manner not authorized by the issuing authority;

c. confirms the validity of personal information set forth on the credential when the issuing authority provides access to the information;

d. provides output of the authenticity test to the notary public.

e. enables the notary public to visually compare the information and photo presented on the credential itself and the party or witness as viewed by the notary public through substantially simultaneous audio-visual transmission; and

f. enables the notary public to determine that the party or witness is in possession of the credential at the time of their remote online notarization.

E. Communication technology systems used to perform remote online notarization to do each of the following:

1. provide sufficient video resolution and audio clarity to enable the notary public, the party, and any witness to engage in substantially simultaneous communication by sight and sound;

2. provide sufficient captured-image resolution for credential analysis to be performed in accordance with Paragraph D.2 of this Section;

3. include a communication encryption protocol and means of authentication that reasonably ensures that only the parties, participating witnesses, and notary public have access to the audio-video communication;

4. ensure that the electronic record that is presented for remote online notarization is the same record electronically signed by the party;

5. create and store or transmit securely to be stored an electronic recording of the audio-video communication, keeping confidential the questions asked as part of any identity-proofing process and the means and methods used to generate the credential analysis output; and

6. prevent unauthorized access to all of the following:

a. the live transmission of the audio-video communication;

b. any recording of the audio-video communication being stored or being transmitted by the communication technology;

c. the verification methods and credentials used to verify the indemnity of the party; and

d. the instrument presented for electronic notarization.

7. provide for the notary public to maintain in the notary’s records a copy of the remote online notarial act;

8. provide the notary public a method of generating a paper copy of the remote notarial act;

9. provide the notary public a detailed audit record of the remote online notarization;

10. provide a means by which the notary public is able to add a statement to any document being notarized that the act is a remote notarial act;

11. provide a mean by which the notary public is able to attach the notary public’s electronic signature and insert the notary public’s identifying information into the remote online notarial act;

12. provide a means by which each party and each witness can attach such person’s electronic signature; and

13. provide a means by which the notary public can digitally sign the remote online notarial act in a manner that renders any subsequent change or modification of the remote online notarial act to be evident.

F. The Secretary of State shall maintain a registry of identity-proofing, credential-analysis, and communication providers who have certified by affidavit that their technologies meet the minimum requirements set forth in Subsections C and D of this Section.

History

• Authority Note: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 35:624 and R.S. 49:222.
• Historical Note: Promulgated by the Department of State, Commercial Division, LR 48:74 (January 2022).