A Louisiana notary acknowledgment form is a document that confirms the authenticity of signatures on a legal document. The form includes details such as the date, location, and parties involved, as well as a statement affirming that the signer voluntarily signed the document.
Notaries in Louisiana are appointed for life and must verify each signer’s identity before completing the form. The form acts as a seal for the notary and is necessary to complete the notarization process.
Legal Considerations
Statute: § 35-511
Form of Acknowledgment: One for natural persons acting in their own right, another for natural persons acting by an attorney, and a third for corporations or joint-stock associations. (RS 35:511)
Notary Term of Commission: Notaries are appointed for life, and their commission does not expire (Louisiana SOS).
Notary Handbook: The Notary Handbook provides information and guidelines for notaries to perform their duties in accordance with state law.
Is Online Notarization Legal in Louisiana?
Yes, online notarization is legal and was introduced into state legislature by HB274.
Remote online notarization for most instruments is allowed, except for certain ones such as testaments, trust instruments, and donations inter vivos. However, an act that is not authentic due to remote online notarization may still be considered valid under a private signature or acknowledged act. (§ 623)
How to Notarize
Step 1 – Find a Notary Public
Locate a notary public in your county by searching for banks, credit unions, UPS stores, or private notary services near you. You can also find a notary public by searching online directories or asking for recommendations from friends or family.
Step 2 – Bring the Document
Bring the complete document to the notary public, except for the signature fields. Make sure to bring a photo ID (preferably with a signature) or a credible witness (in special circumstances).
Step 3 – Verify Identity
The notary public must verify the identity of the signer. This can be accomplished through personal recognition, a piece of photo ID (preferably with a signature), or a credible witness (in special circumstances).
Step 4 – Sign the Document
Once identities have been confirmed, individuals can sign the document while the notary observes. For acknowledgments, each signer must declare that they signed the document willingly. The notary public will then sign and stamp the document to indicate that it has been notarized.
Step 5 – Take Oath
Oaths and affirmations attesting to the truthfulness of the document must be made. This mostly applies to notarial acts such as jurats, also known as sworn statements. Notaries are required to administer oaths and affirmations when notarizing certain documents.
Step 6 – Complete the Notarial Certificate
The notary must complete the notarial certificate and include their signature, which acts as the official notary seal in the state.
How to Verify a Notary
- Navigate to the official Notary Search webpage.
- Select the search criteria and search by name, zip code, notary number, or bar roll number. Enter the relevant information and click Search.
- The search will return a list of all the matching records. You can scroll down to find the notary you are looking for.
- After finding the notary, click on their name to view their details. You will be able to see their contact information, notary number, and agency.
How to Write (for Notary)
- Download the Louisiana notary acknowledgment form in PDF or Word format.
- Fill in the name of the Parish where the document is being notarized, the date of notarization, and the name of the person being acknowledged.
- At the bottom of the form, include your signature, title/rank, notary ID number, or attorney bar roll number.