Key Takeaways
- Bond amount increases from $10,000 to $50,000 on February 1, 2026
- Bond must be renewed every 5 years
- Attorneys are exempt from bond requirement
- E&O insurance option eliminated effective February 2026
- Surety company bonds no longer need parish clerk approval
Last updated: January 2026
Surety Bond Requirements
Louisiana notary bond requirements are undergoing significant changes effective February 1, 2026.
Current Requirements (Until February 1, 2026)
| Option | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Surety Bond | $10,000 | From authorized surety company |
| E&O Insurance | $10,000 | Errors & Omissions policy |
| Personal Surety | $10,000 | Approved by parish clerk |
NEW Requirements (Effective February 1, 2026)
On June 11, 2025, Governor Landry signed HB 259 into law:
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| New Bond Amount | $50,000 (increased from $10,000) |
| E&O Option | Eliminated - no longer accepted |
| Personal Surety Amount | $50,000 |
| Effective Date | February 1, 2026 |
Key Changes Under HB 259
| Old Rule | New Rule (Feb 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10,000 bond | $50,000 bond |
| E&O policy acceptable | E&O not acceptable |
| Existing bonds valid until expiration | All notaries must comply immediately |
| Parish clerk approval for surety bonds | Simplified - surety company bonds don't need clerk approval |
Bond Term and Renewal
| Aspect | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Term | 5 years |
| Renewal | Required every 5 years |
| Filing Fee | $20 SOS filing fee |
| Failure to Renew | Commission may be suspended |
Who Is Exempt from Bond
| Category | Bond Required? |
|---|---|
| Non-Attorney Notaries | Yes |
| Louisiana-Admitted Attorneys | No (exempt) |
Simplified Filing Process (HB 259)
Starting February 2026:
| Old Process | New Process |
|---|---|
| Bond recorded with parish clerk | Not required for surety company bonds |
| Clerk approval required | Not required for surety company bonds |
| Complex filing | Streamlined process |
Bond Costs
| Provider | Approximate Cost (for $50,000 bond) |
|---|---|
| NNA | ~$250 per 5-year term |
| Other Providers | Varies |
What the Bond Protects
| Protection | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Protects public from notary errors |
| Claims | For damages from improper notarial acts |
| Amount | Up to bond amount |
| Duration | During bond term |
Transition Considerations
| Situation | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Current bond expires before Feb 2026 | Renew at current $10,000 |
| Current bond expires after Feb 2026 | Must obtain $50,000 bond |
| All notaries by Feb 1, 2026 | Must have $50,000 bond in effect |
On the Exam
- Current bond: $10,000 (until Feb 2026)
- New bond: $50,000 (after Feb 2026)
- E&O elimination: No longer accepted Feb 2026
- Attorney exemption: No bond required
- Renewal: Every 5 years
Test Your Knowledge
Effective February 1, 2026, the Louisiana notary surety bond requirement will be:
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Under the new law effective February 2026, can Louisiana notaries file an Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy instead of a surety bond?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
How often must a Louisiana notary renew their surety bond?
A
B
C
D