Here are answers to generally asked questions.  However, if you still need more information, please do not hesitate to complete the "I Have A Question" form and submit.

---

FAQ:

Q.  What forms of I.D. are generally accepted?
A.  As you know, no document will receive our notary stamp until proper identification has been shown.  To that end, the following forms of identification is accepted: 

• Any original United States government issued identification (driver's license, any U.S. state issued identification, Passport and TWIC Cards) 

Q.  Can I bring a document signed by another person to be notarized?
A.  No.  The person who is signing the document must appear before us and sign the document in our presence after presenting a valid form of identification. 

Q.  My document requires witnesses.  Do I need to have two people with me?
A.  Yes.  If your document needs to be signed and notarized before us, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that your witnesses are present at the time service is rendered. 

Q.  Do you notarize wills prepared by Legal Zoom or another notary?
A.  We do not make it a common practice to notarize wills prepared by Legal Zoom or any third party.  We are well equipped to prepare a will on your behalf.  However, please note that if we are requested to sign a will prepared by a third party, you will also be required to sign a waiver signifying that we did not prepare the notary and that we are notarizing the document only as it relates to proper signatures and not as it relates to content. 

Selecting A Business Structure​
The decision regarding business structure is a decision that a person should make, in consultation with an attorney and accountant, and taking into consideration issues regarding tax, liability, management, continuity, transferability of ownership interests, and formality of operation.

Generally, businesses are created and operated in one of the following forms:

• Sole proprietorship: The most common and the simplest form of business is the sole proprietorship. In a sole proprietorship, a single individual engages in a business activity without necessity of formal organization. If the business is conducted under an assumed name (a name other than the surname of the individual), then an assumed name certificate (commonly referred to as a DBA) should be filed with the office of the clerk of court in the county/parish where the business is domiciled. 
• General partnership: A general partnership is created when two or more persons associate to carry on a business for profit. A partnership generally operates in accordance with a partnership agreement, but there is no requirement that the agreement be in writing and no state-filing requirement. If the business of the partnership is conducted under an assumed name (a name that does not include the surname of all of the partners), then an assumed name certificate (commonly referred to as a DBA) should be filed with the clerk of court in the county/parish where a business premise is maintained. If no business premise is maintained, then an assumed name certificate should be filed in all counties where business is conducted under the assumed name.
• Corporation:  A corporation is a legal person with the characteristics of limited liability, centralization of management, perpetual duration, and the ease of transferring ownership interests. The owners of a corporation are called “shareholders.” The persons who manage the business and affairs of a corporation are called “directors.” However, state corporate law does provide for shareholders to enter into shareholders’ agreements to eliminate the directors and provide for shareholder management. Choosing the best management structure for your corporation is a decision you make with the advice of an attorney. The Secretary of State cannot assist you.
  An “S” corporation is not a matter of state corporate law but rather a federal tax election. A for-profit corporation elects to be taxed as an “S” corporation by filing an election with the Internal Revenue Service. Please contact the IRS or competent tax counsel regarding the decision to be taxed as an “S” corporation and the requirements for filing the election. 
  
• Limited Liability Company: A limited liability company is created by filing a certificate of formation with the Louisiana  (or in whatever state you're domiciled) Secretary of State. The Secretary of State provides a form that meets minimum state law requirements. The limited liability company (LLC) is not a partnership or a corporation but rather is a distinct type of entity that has the powers of both a corporation and a partnership. Depending on how the LLC is structured, it may be likened to a general partnership with limited liability, or to a limited partnership where all the owners are free to participate in management and all have limited liability, or to an “S” corporation without the ownership and tax restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Unlike the partnership, where the key element is the individual, the essence of the limited liability company is the entity, requiring for its creation more formal requirements. The owners of an LLC are called “members.” A member can be an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, and any other legal or commercial entity. Generally, the liability of the members is limited to their investment and they may enjoy the pass-through tax treatment afforded to partners in a partnership. As a result of federal tax classification rules, an LLC can achieve both structural flexibility and favorable tax treatment. Nevertheless, persons contemplating forming an LLC are well advised to consult competent legal counsel. A limited liability company can be managed by managers or by its members. The management structure must be stated in the certificate of formation. Management structure is a determination that is made by the LLC and its members. The Secretary of State cannot give advice about management structure.
• Limited Partnership: A limited partnership is a partnership formed by two or more persons and having one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. The limited partnership operates in accordance with a partnership agreement, written or oral, of the partners as to the affairs of the limited partnership and the conduct of its business. While the partnership agreement is not filed for public record, the limited partnership must file a certificate of formation with the Secretary of State (where domiciled). The Secretary of State provides a form that meets minimum state law requirements. 
• Limited Liability Partnership: In order to limit the liability of its general partners, a general or limited partnership may opt to register as a limited liability partnership. The Secretary of State provides a form for registration as a limited liability partnership. 

The information on this page should not be considered a substitute for the advice and services of an attorney and tax specialist in deciding on the business structure.​

As we respect your privacy, the information that you provide to us on this form is used for the sole purpose of having a customer service representative contact you to fulfill your request or to answer any questions