Opinion Number

Dear Mr. Hawkland:

We are in receipt of your request for an Attorney General's Opinion concerning the reinstatement of a notarial commission. Specifically, you ask whether the Office of the Secretary of State can unilaterally reinstate a notarial commission for a notary who has voluntarily surrendered her commission.

The Louisiana Revised Statutes do not provide for the unilateral reinstatement of a notarial commission. Once a notary surrenders his or her notarial commission, voluntarily or otherwise, she must apply for a new commission and meet all requisites of LA R.S.35:191 and 35:201 in order to obtain a valid commission. Once the requisites of LA R.S. 35:191 and 35:201 have been successfully fulfilled, the individual may be re-commissioned and possessed of a valid commission.

We hope this opinion addresses all of your concerns. If we can be of further assistance, please advise.

Very truly yours,

RICHARD P. IEYOUB Attorney General

By: __________________________ ANDREW D. BENTON Assistant Attorney General