A new law in Louisiana will increase the state's Notary surety bond requirement and no longer give Notaries the option of filing an errors and omissions insurance policy, providing greater financial protection to the public harmed by Notary errors or misconduct. Starting February 1, 2026, all non-attorney Notaries must hold a $50,000 surety bond, a significant leap from the previous $10,000 requirement.
This change applies to both commissioned and Ex-Officio Notaries. Licensed attorneys in Louisiana are not required to file a Notary bond and are therefore exempt from these new requirements. The Secretary of State’s office urges Notaries to comply early to avoid suspension.
Increased Financial Protection and New Filing Process
The new law raises the financial security that Notaries must provide to protect the public. Previously, Notaries had the option to file a $10,000 surety bond or an Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Beginning February 1, 2026, the bond must be $50,000. The new legislation also removes the option to file an E&O policy. Notaries may purchase an E&O policy for their personal protection against claims, but they will not file it with the Secretary of State (SOS).
In addition to raising the bond, the filing process will also change. Before February 1, 2026, bonds must first be approved by the Notary’s parish clerk of court before filing them with the Secretary of State’s office. County clerk approval will be eliminated for bonds issued by a surety company authorized to operate in Louisiana when the new law takes effect. Starting February 1, 2026, Notaries will submit their bonds directly to the Secretary of State. However, if a Notary bond is a special mortgage or personal surety, it must still be recorded in the parish mortgage office.
What This Means for Current Notaries
Louisiana Notary commissions are unique in that they do not expire. However, the Notary’s surety bond must be renewed every five years. All current Notaries subject to the bond requirement must file their $50,000 bond with the Secretary of State’s office by February 1, 2026, to avoid suspension of their commission. The Secretary of State will no longer accept bonds under the higher $50,000 amount or E&O policies as of that date.
Louisiana Notaries may purchase a $50,000 bond from the National Notary Association. For more information, please see our Louisiana Notary Surety Bond page.