AnalysisIn Louisiana, historically Notaries were commissioned in the parish in which they apply and had parish-wide jurisdiction. Since 2005, all applicants for a commissioned are required to pass the statewide Notary Public examination which provides them with statewide jurisdiction. However, Notaries commissioned in a parish prior to 2005 could take the statewide Notary examination if they wanted statewide jurisdiction. Some do not elect to do so and maintain their parish-wide only authority. Given this, by statute Louisiana has authorized Notaries with parish-wide authority in one parish to perform notarial acts in certain adjoining parishes. Senate Bill 116 sets up this type of reciprocity arrangement for Notaries in St. Martin and St. Landry parishes, authorizing Notaries commissioned and authorized to perform notarial acts in one of these parishes to perform notarial acts in the other.
Read Senate Bill 116.