How do you prepare a Louisiana high school, college, university transcript for an apostille?
The transcript must be certified/signed by a school official (principal, registrar, counselor, etc.) The signature of the school official must be original.
Sample certification:
The signature of the school official must be notarized by a Louisiana notary public.
Notarized documents must fully comply with Louisiana Notary Law or the document will be returned for correction. The printed name of the notary and their notary identification number must appear beneath their signature.
Acknowledgment:
Other acceptable notarial certificates:
Jurat:
Are Louisiana notaries required to use a seal?
No. The signature of a Louisiana notary is his/her seal. The use of the seal/stamp is optional.
Can a notary certify a copy of a transcript?
Yes, according to 2023 Louisiana Laws, Revised Statutes, Title 35 - Notaried Public and Commissioners , Par. 35:2. General powers,
"Every qualified notary public is authorized to certify true copies of any authentic act or any instrument under private signature hereafter or heretofore passed before him or acknowledged before him, and to make and certify copies, by any method, of any certificate, research, resolution, survey or other document annexed to the original of any authentic acts passed before him, and may certify such copies as true copies of the original document attached to the original passed before him."
However, please check with the receiving foreign school / agency if they will accept a notarized copy. Many foreign schools require an original transcript signed by the school principal or registrar.
In case a notarized copy is acceptable, the notary should use the following notarial certificate:
Copy certification:
