Louisiana Notary Public Practice Exam
2026: Verified Questions & Answers
with Comprehensive Rationales
SECTION 1: ELIGIBILITY, QUALIFICATIONS & APPOINTMENT
Question 1
What is the minimum age requirement to be commissioned as a
Louisiana notary public?
A. 18
B. 21
C. 25
D. 30
Answer: A. 18
Rationale: Louisiana Revised Statutes § 35:191(A)(1)(b) requires
applicants to be at least 18 years of age or older. Some older
sources may incorrectly state 21, but the current law sets the
minimum age at 18.
Question 2
How long is the term of appointment for a Louisiana notary?
, A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. Lifetime (for life)
Answer: D. Lifetime (for life)
Rationale: Louisiana notaries are commissioned for life, which is
unique among U.S. states and reflects Louisiana's civil law
tradition. However, they must maintain their status by complying
with continuing education requirements.
Question 3
Who has the authority to appoint notaries public in Louisiana?
A. The Secretary of State
B. The Governor
C. The Louisiana Supreme Court
D. The Parish Clerk of Court
Answer: B. The Governor
Rationale: The Governor of Louisiana appoints notaries public by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate, upon a certificate
of competency from the appropriate district court (R.S. 35:1).
,Question 4
Which of the following is NOT an eligibility requirement for a
Louisiana notary public?
A. Residency in the state
B. U.S. citizenship
C. No felony conviction (unless pardoned)
D. Ownership of real property
Answer: D. Ownership of real property
Rationale: Property ownership is not a statutory prerequisite for
becoming a Louisiana notary. The requirements include being a
resident citizen or alien of the state, being 18 or older, having no
felony conviction (unless pardoned), and holding a high school
diploma or equivalent.
Question 5
A Louisiana notary must be registered to vote in which parish?
A. The parish of their birth
B. The parish in which they seek commission
C. Any parish in Louisiana
D. The parish where their employer is located
Answer: B. The parish in which they seek commission
Rationale: A resident citizen seeking to be appointed notary
public in the parish of their residence must be a registered voter
of that parish.
, Question 6
What document must a notary file to verify their commission for
interstate recognition?
A. Oath of office
B. Notarial bond
C. Prothonotarial certificate
D. Exam results
Answer: C. Prothonotarial certificate
Rationale: A prothonotarial certificate verifies a notary's
commission for interstate recognition, serving as official proof of
the notary's authority.
Question 7
A person convicted of a felony may become a Louisiana notary
only if:
A. They wait ten years after the conviction
B. They receive a pardon
C. They obtain a waiver from the Secretary of State
D. They complete a rehabilitation program
Answer: B. They receive a pardon
Rationale: A felony conviction disqualifies a person from
appointment unless they have been pardoned.
2026: Verified Questions & Answers
with Comprehensive Rationales
SECTION 1: ELIGIBILITY, QUALIFICATIONS & APPOINTMENT
Question 1
What is the minimum age requirement to be commissioned as a
Louisiana notary public?
A. 18
B. 21
C. 25
D. 30
Answer: A. 18
Rationale: Louisiana Revised Statutes § 35:191(A)(1)(b) requires
applicants to be at least 18 years of age or older. Some older
sources may incorrectly state 21, but the current law sets the
minimum age at 18.
Question 2
How long is the term of appointment for a Louisiana notary?
, A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. Lifetime (for life)
Answer: D. Lifetime (for life)
Rationale: Louisiana notaries are commissioned for life, which is
unique among U.S. states and reflects Louisiana's civil law
tradition. However, they must maintain their status by complying
with continuing education requirements.
Question 3
Who has the authority to appoint notaries public in Louisiana?
A. The Secretary of State
B. The Governor
C. The Louisiana Supreme Court
D. The Parish Clerk of Court
Answer: B. The Governor
Rationale: The Governor of Louisiana appoints notaries public by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate, upon a certificate
of competency from the appropriate district court (R.S. 35:1).
,Question 4
Which of the following is NOT an eligibility requirement for a
Louisiana notary public?
A. Residency in the state
B. U.S. citizenship
C. No felony conviction (unless pardoned)
D. Ownership of real property
Answer: D. Ownership of real property
Rationale: Property ownership is not a statutory prerequisite for
becoming a Louisiana notary. The requirements include being a
resident citizen or alien of the state, being 18 or older, having no
felony conviction (unless pardoned), and holding a high school
diploma or equivalent.
Question 5
A Louisiana notary must be registered to vote in which parish?
A. The parish of their birth
B. The parish in which they seek commission
C. Any parish in Louisiana
D. The parish where their employer is located
Answer: B. The parish in which they seek commission
Rationale: A resident citizen seeking to be appointed notary
public in the parish of their residence must be a registered voter
of that parish.
, Question 6
What document must a notary file to verify their commission for
interstate recognition?
A. Oath of office
B. Notarial bond
C. Prothonotarial certificate
D. Exam results
Answer: C. Prothonotarial certificate
Rationale: A prothonotarial certificate verifies a notary's
commission for interstate recognition, serving as official proof of
the notary's authority.
Question 7
A person convicted of a felony may become a Louisiana notary
only if:
A. They wait ten years after the conviction
B. They receive a pardon
C. They obtain a waiver from the Secretary of State
D. They complete a rehabilitation program
Answer: B. They receive a pardon
Rationale: A felony conviction disqualifies a person from
appointment unless they have been pardoned.
