What Is a Notary Acknowledgment Form in Louisiana?
A Louisiana notary acknowledgment form is used to confirm that a person willingly signed a document. A notary public uses this form to verify the signer’s identity and records the acknowledgment. This process shows that the signature is valid and can be trusted by courts and other third parties.
It is important to know what this form does not do. A notary does not review or approve the document’s contents. They only confirm who signed it and that the signer appeared before them. In Louisiana, a document with a proper notary acknowledgment can be accepted without extra proof under LA Civ Code Art. 1836.
According to LA Rev Stat § 35:511, a notary public may verify the acknowledgment of a signer acting in the following ways:
- In their own right
- By attorney-in-fact
- On behalf of a corporation or a joint stock association
Documents That Typically Require Notarization in Louisiana
Some documents in Louisiana may require notarization to confirm the signer’s identity and reduce the risk of fraud. In certain cases, a document may require notarization for it to be accepted by a court. Requirements can vary depending on the document and how it is used, so it’s important to confirm what applies to your situation.
Below is a list of documents that typically require notarization in Louisiana:
The following documents may also require notarization, depending on the situation or the requirements of the receiving party:
Legal Requirements for a Louisiana Notary Acknowledgment
A Louisiana notary acknowledgment must include certain details to be valid.
- Elements of the Certificate: A proper acknowledgment form in Louisiana must include the parish, date of acknowledgment, signer’s name, statement of acknowledgment, notary’s signature, notary ID number, or bar roll number. Note that in Louisiana, a notary’s signature acts as the official seal as per LA Admin Code Title 46 § XLVI-131.
- Personal Appearance: The signer must appear before the notary to acknowledge their signature. This step allows the notary to verify the signer’s identity.
- Witness Requirements: Some documents in Louisiana may involve two witnesses when acknowledged before a notary, as per LA Civ Code Art. 1836.
Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties, so the correct parish should be listed on the form.
Is Online Notarization Legal in Louisiana?
Yes, online notarization is legal in Louisiana. The state allows remote online notarization (RON). It allows a notary public to verify a signer’s identity and complete the acknowledgment using audio-visual technology. The notary is required to keep an audiovisual record of the remote notarization for 10 years following the act.
However, not all documents can be notarized online in Louisiana. Some documents must still be notarized in person. Under LA Rev Stat § 35:623, the following documents cannot be notarized remotely:
- Testaments (wills) and codicils
- Trust instruments and acknowledgments of trust
- Donations while you are alive (inter vivos)
- Matrimonial agreements
- Acts involving spousal support obligations
- Authentic acts, which require a notary and witnesses in person
For most other documents, remote notarization is allowed as long as the notary is properly authorized and complies with state requirements.
Sample Louisiana Notary Acknowledgment
View a sample Louisiana notary acknowledgment form below as a reference. It shows you how a notary verifies a signer’s identity and signature. Legal Templates’s guided form makes it easy to complete your document and include the required Louisiana notarial details. Once completed, you can download your form in PDF or Word format.
