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In-Person Paper Notarizations

Am I required by law to maintain a notary journal in Louisiana?

No, a notary in Louisiana is not required to maintain a notary journal. There are a few requirements for record keeping pertaining to specific notarial acts. Although a notary journal is not required in general, it would be a recommended “best practice” to maintain a notary journal in the State of Louisiana for all notarizations performed.

Special circumstances for Louisiana notary record requirements

“A. Notaries public shall record all acts of sale, exchange, donation, and mortgage of immovable property passed before them, together with all resolutions, powers of attorney, and other documents annexed to or made part of the acts, in their proper order, and after first making a careful record of the acts in record books to be kept for that purpose as follows: 

  1. If the immovable is located in this state outside of the parish of Orleans, the notary shall record the instrument within fifteen days after they are passed, with the appropriate recorder of the parish or parishes in which the immovable property is situated.

  2. (a) If the immovable is situated within the parish of Orleans, the notary shall file the instrument in the office of the custodian of notarial records for the parish of Orleans and record the instrument with the register of conveyances or recorder of mortgages or both. “(b) If the instrument is an act of sale or any other act evidencing a transfer of immovable property situated in the parish of Orleans, it shall be the duty of the notary to cause the act to be registered with the clerk as the recorder for the parish of Orleans, within forty-eight hours after the passage of the act. “(c) The original of every authentic act, except chattel mortgages and acts relating to immovable property outside of Orleans Parish, passed before a notary public in Orleans Parish, and also every act, contract, and instrument except money judgments and chattel mortgages filed for record in the offices of either the recorder of mortgages or the registrar of conveyances for the parish of Orleans, shall, as a condition precedent to such filing in the office of the recorder of mortgages or the register of conveyances for the parish of Orleans, be first filed in the notarial archives of the parish of Orleans."

Remote Online Notarizations

Is Remote Online Notarization (RON) approved in the State of Louisiana?

Yes, notaries in the State of Louisiana are authorized to perform remote online notarizations

Do I have to record the Remote Online Notarization session?

Yes

“The notary public shall … “(1) Maintain electronic copies capable of being printed in a tangible medium of all remote online notarial acts for at least ten years after the date of the remote online notarization. “(2) Maintain an audio and video recording of each remote online notarization for at least ten years after the date of the remote online notarization. “(3) Take reasonable steps to secure the records required to be maintained by this Section from corruption, loss, destruction, and unauthorized interception or alteration” (RS 35:629.A).

What is the retention period for RON recordings?

10 years

Do I have to log RON sessions in a journal?

Yes, even if it isn't a standard notary journal, the following requirements apply:

"The notary public shall do all of the following:

  • (1) Maintain electronic copies capable of being printed in a tangible medium of all remote online notarial acts for at least ten years after the date of the remote online notarization." (RS 35:629.A)

Reference Links

Helpful resources for Louisiana Notaries

  1. Title 35, Section 199

  2. Louisiana State Law Summary from the NNA

  3. “A Notary’s Guide to Completing Journal Entries”

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites.  Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser

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