Visit the Secretary of State's
Hurricane
Katrina Recovery Information Page
This page is an index of our web site, by section, along with a brief description. Recent updates and additions are followed with "UPDATED"or "NEW"in red text.
Visit the Elections Page for information Voter Registration,
Voting and Election Night Voting Results.
Read this section for tips about browsers, screen resolution, fonts, plug-ins and helper applications. Download the Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) reader and WinZip archive utility for Windows.
ADMINISTRATION
MEDIA ADVISORIES AND PRESS
RELEASES This informative page provides an index of recent press
releases with links to the complete documents. This page is updated
continuously as press releases are issued. The State Report newsletter
is now available for downloading and printing in Adobe PDF format.
"UPDATED"
OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT
Overview and functions of the Office of Secretary of State.
STRATEGIC PLAN Our agency's Strategic
Plan for Fiscal Year 2006 through Fiscal year 2010.
MILITARY FAMILY WEB PAGE
Visit this page honoring the men and women serving in the Armed Services who
are family members of our agency's employees.
"NEW"
BIRTH CERTIFICATES Act 1277 of the Legislature, in July 1999,
provides for issuance of birth certificates at the parish level by clerks of
court. Check to see if your parish clerk participates in this program.
PHONE, FACSIMILE & E-MAIL
DIRECTORY Our phone, fax and E-Mail directory, with a list of
frequently called numbers, is updated continuously.
GUEST BOOK Read and sign
our Guest Book. Tell us what you think about our site and read what others have
said.
DATABASE INDEX
Search our databases. Choose from databases in the Archives, Commercial,
Elections and Notary Divisions.
SEARCH OUR SITE Can't
find what you're looking for? Try one of several search engines.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Check
to see when offices will be closed.
Learn about Louisiana's history and heritage with a visit to this page which includes the following links:
ARBOR DAY - JANUARY
In Louisiana we celebrate Arbor Day each year on the third Friday
in January. This date is set aside as a time to celebrate trees by planting
them. It is also appropriate to appreciate the trees we already have and all
that they provide for us in both urban and rural settings.
FLAG DAY - JUNE 14
Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day. While not an official national or state holiday, Flag Day is celebrated in many cities and towns throughout the state.
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY Historical facts for every day of the year from Louisiana, the United States and the world, provided by the Old State Capitol Curatorial Staff.
LOUISIANA FACTS Many interesting facts about the Pelican State with images of the official state symbols including the flower, wildflower, tree, dog, insect, crustacean, reptile, mammal, amphibian, freshwater fish, fossil and gemstone. Also included are Louisiana's official state painting, musical instrument, state songs, colors, and pledge of allegiance.
LOUISIANA FACTS COLORING BOOK Visit our online coloring book with images of Louisiana's official icons including the the flower, wildflower, tree, dog, insect, crustacean, reptile and mammal. Color the images online or download the entire coloring book. NEW
LOUISIANA GOVERNORS MULTIMEDIA EXHIBIT Images of Louisiana's governors along with biographical data and narration, from the Old State Capitol Governors exhibit. Recent updates include governors from 1877 back to 1812.
LOUISIANA HISTORY UNDER 10 FLAGS A brief history of Louisiana under 10 flags with images of all the flags.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXHIBIT Visit the on-line version of this award-winning exhibit from the Old State Capitol.
LOUISIANA IN THE MARINE CORPS The on-line version of an exhibit about the Marine Corps from 1993.
LOUISIANA LINKS This page provides links to other Internet sites with information about Louisiana's people, history, culture, food, media, music, festivals, events, tourist attractions, and a lot more.
LOUISIANA STATE GOVERNMENT LINKS Links to the Governor's Office, Division of Administration, and other state departments and agencies. Be sure to visit the INFO Louisiana web page which includes links to all state government web sites, a new search engine, plus other interesting Louisiana links.
INFO LOUISIANA'S "JUST FOR STUDENTS" PAGE This site includes 30+ links to interesting sites loaded with facts and resources for students and persons interested in our history.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES QUICK TOUR FOR TEACHERS & STUDENTS This page at DNR offers many natural resource-related links plus many other interesting sites about Louisiana.
2004 NATIONAL PARENT / STUDENT MOCK ELECTION This popular event is being held again this year in conjunction with the National Election.
This index page provides an overview of the Louisiana State Archives and links to the following:
Mission, History and Operation
Donations
History
Hours
Staff Directory
Louisiana Multimedia Archives "NEW"
Confederate Pension Applications Index Database
New Orleans Ship Passenger List Online Index
Events Schedule / Activities at the Archives This popular index showcases exhibits and programs at the State Archives including our permanent display of World War I Posters and the Baton Rouge Art League's Permanent Exhibit. "UPDATED"
Events Calendar has 3 months of events and exhibits. "UPDATED"
Web Page Archive Visit our Web Page Archive to view pages from the past featuring on-line previews of exhibits, shows and events.
Le Comitι des Archives de la Louisiane These pages provide updated information about publications, tables of contents, and genealogical indexes.
Records Management Section The Archives is the official repository for storage of archived state documents. "UPDATED"
This index page provides a brief overview and links to the following sections:
ADMINISTRATIVE & LEGAL SERVICES SECTION CORPORATIONS SECTION
-
Corporations
Database Search for corporations, non-profit
organizations, registered agents, trade names and individual names associated
with them, or download and print Annual Report Forms or Reinstatement
Forms, if due.
Effective 10/4/05, you can now purchase, download and print Good Standing Certificates, if the entity is in good standing, between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. CST. "NEW"
- Validate Certificate Validate that an online certificate was, in fact, issued by this office. "NEW"
- Retrieve Certificate Retrieve a Good Standing Certificates previously purchased through our online system, within the last 120 days. "NEW"
- New Entity Filings and Subsequent Filings
- Index of All Filing Forms
- Fee Schedule
- Information on Other Types of Filings
- Document Compliance Checklist
- FAQ
- Other Available Services
- Weekly Newsletter The weekly list of new corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships are now available in .TXT format for downloading or viewing on-line. Newsletters are prepared each Tuesday.
FIRST STOP SHOP FOR BUSINESS Cut through the red tape at our licensing information center for new businesses.
UCC SECTION
- Uniform Commercial Code FAQ
- Clerks of Court list
- UCC Fee Schedule
- Changes in Revised Article 9 effective July 1, 2001.
- New UCC Forms for download in PDF format
- UCC forms vendors
- Secretary of State Web Pages in Other States Links to Secretary of State web pages in other states and the District of Columbia.
The Secretary of State Commissions Division issues Commissions Certificates to elected and appointed public officials; issues Apostille and Authentication Certificates to certify signatures on documents going to foreign countries; and certifies and maintains copies of Executive Orders and Proclamations issued by the Governor.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Apostille
- Boards and Commissions
- Commission Certificates
- Elected Officials Database & ZIP File
- Executive Orders and Proclamations
- Oaths of Office
- Pardons
- Vacancies
This index page was recently redesigned and now includes data from the former former Department of Elections and Registration which was consolidated with the Elections Division on January 12, 2004.
MISSION & HISTORY
VOTER REGISTRATION
RegistrationVOTER STATISTICS
- Registration Information & Application Form
- Registrar of Voters Addresses and Phone Numbers
- Handicapped Access Information
- NVRA Information
ELECTIONS INFORMATION FOR VOTERS
- Weekly Registration Statistics includes
- Post Election Statistics
- Purchase Voter Lists
- Voter Turnout in Recent Elections
Before an ElectionTHE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002 (HAVA)After an Election
- Schedule of Elections for Current, Future & Prior Years includes Constitutional amendment information.
- Candidate Database - search candidate information
- Where to Vote Locator - search with your address to find your Ward and Precinct Number and Sample Ballot.
- Sample Ballots are available online for the next election.
- Constitutional Amendments and Propositions - November 2004
- Absentee Voting Procedures
- Registrar of Voters Addresses and Phone Numbers
- Machine Types
- Elections Compliance Unit - report suspected elections fraud.
- Schedule of Elections for Current, Future & Prior Years
- Results Database - search for detailed results after an election
- Archived Elections Results
- Statewide Elected Officials Database
- Elected Officials ZIP File
- Post Elections Statistics
- Commissions
- Electoral College
- Elections Compliance Unit - report suspected elections fraud.
- Introduction
- The Federal Law
- The Impact of HAVA on Elections in Louisiana
- Federal Payments to Louisiana
- Federal Election Reform Time Line
- Louisiana Help America Vote Advisory Committee Planning Process
- Advisory Committee Membership List
- Meeting Schedules
- Final State Plan
- Press Releases
- 2003 HAVA Legislation
- Links of Interest
- Contact Information for HAVA
- Constitutional Amendments - Text Files
- Database Index - includes a list of all Elections related databases.
- Public Notices
Qualifying
Candidate Information
- Candidate Database - search candidate information
- ZIP File of All Candidates - includes name, address, party affiliation data.
Campaign Finance Reports, Lobbyists and Political Action CommitteesLINKS Visit the web sites in the Links Section for information concerning citizenship, government, voting, elections and political parties.
- Campaign Finance Reports - including reports from incumbent statewide elected officials for the 1995 General Election cycle are available for on-line viewing at The Louisiana Ethics Administration Program. In addition, lists of registered lobbyists and political action committees are available.
- Federal Elections Commission Web Site - has copies of actual financial disclosure reports filed by House, Senate and Presidential campaigns, Parties and PACs from 1993 to the present.
THE MUSEUMS INDEX page has thumbnail images and links to the museums managed by the Department of State, and links to other state museums operated by the Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism, plus links to other public museums in the state. The pages on our site include larger images, background information, a description of facilities and exhibits, special exhibit schedules, location maps, hours of operation and admission prices. "UPDATED"
THE AVIATION AND MILITARY MUSEUM in Monroe on historic Selman Field features exhibits including the history of aviation and tributes to great men and women such as Gen. Claire Chennault and the celebrated Flying Tigers. The museum also highlights the military role that northeast Louisiana played during training in World War II. This museum was added to the Secretary of State's Museum Program during the 2005 legislative session and is currently open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM. "NEW"
THE COACH EDDIE G. ROBINSON MUSEUM Senate Bill No. 919 of the 1999 Louisiana Legislature recognized that it was appropriate to establish a museum to honor the legendary football coach Eddie G. Robinson. The purpose of this museum is to collect, preserve and exhibit, as an educational resource, objects of art, documents, archives and other artifacts that reflect the history of the life and coaching domain of Coach Eddie G. Robinson. The Coach Eddie G. Robinson Museum is currently closed, but the Secretary of State's office is putting together plans and securing funding for the museum to enable it to be fully operational.
THE DELTA MUSIC MUSEUM in Ferriday opened on March 2, 2002. Previously known as the Ferriday Museum and housed in a small former bank building, the Delta Music Museum is located in Concordia Parish and just a few minutes away from historic Natchez, Mississippi. The Delta Music Museum is also home to the annual Delta Music Festival in April. The building, constructed in 1939-40, has been completely remodeled to accommodate the museum's exhibits, and many of the building's original features have been restored to help create a special nostalgic ambience for visitors. The museum consists of interpretative and interactive exhibits focusing on the history, music and culture of the Louisiana-Mississippi Delta region. Music galleries with interactive music kiosks, mannequins are also included.
THE GARYVILLE TIMBER MUSEUM commemorates the days when highly prized cypress lumber flowed from Louisiana's woods and swamps for export all over the world. Located on the site where the largest cypress mill in the world once stood, the museum features photographs, documents and charts from the early days of one of Louisiana's most important industries. The Garyville Timbermill Museum is currently closed, but the Secretary of State's office is putting together plans and securing funding for the museum, which will soon reopen.
THE JEAN LAFITTE MARINE AND FISHERIES MUSEUM , located in Lafitte, boasts many exhibits on the cultural makeup of the coastal communities of Louisiana, one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the entire South. The museum focuses on the unique way of life embraced by these coastal residents, making their living through fishing, trapping and maintaining Louisiana's most priceless treasure, its wetlands. The Jean Lafitte Marine and Fisheries Museum is currently closed, but the Secretary of State's office is putting together plans and securing funding for the museum, which will soon open for visitors.
THE LOUISIANA STATE COTTON MUSEUM in Lake Providence opened in 1995 to preserve the history and heritage of cotton cultivation and its influence on life in Louisiana. The museum consists of several structures in a rural plantation setting on the banks of Lake Providence. An original farmhouse, circa 1840's, serves as office space for the museum staff, and a new 3,600-square-foot facility has been built to showcase exhibits and feature an audio-visual area. Another structure houses an original Gullet Cotton Gin, circa 1920. In addition, an authentic sharecropper's cabin, has been moved to the site. (NOTE: The Cotton Museum was closed on January 16, 2006 for maintenance. Watch for reopening announcement.)
THE LOUISIANA STATE EXHIBIT MUSEUM in Shreveport is a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program and features new temporary and traveling exhibitions on a regular basis in addition to several permanent historical exhibitions and programs. Constructed in 1937 during the Great Depression Era, the museum is an Art Deco masterpiece and houses a variety of educational frescoes, dioramas, murals and exhibits. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the museum highlights 22 world-renowned dioramas created from beeswax. Unique among museum structures, the doughnut-shaped building houses exhibits down the middle and on both sides of its long corridors. Showcased at the rotunda's entrance are two gigantic frescoes painted by noted artist Conrad Albrizio. Stretching from the circular portion of the museum are two wings - the west containing the finest Native American prehistory exhibition in the state, and the east featuring an auditorium with a spacious stage and seating capacity for 330 people.
THE LOUISIANA STATE OIL AND GAS MUSEUM in Oil City near Shreveport is housed in the city's old railroad depot, which was donated by Kansas City Southern Railroad, the museum features an oil derrick donated by Texaco and a variety of early oil field equipment. It was formed in 1969 by a group of citizens dedicated to preserving the historical importance of the area, site of the 1911 "Ferry No. 1" well, one of the world's first over-water discovery wells. Artifacts include a wooden flow line pipe, an electric motor patented in 1899, a steam-driven fluid pump, pipe tongs and other early equipment. There is also a large collection of early boomtown and gusher photographs. Another part of the museum - the Caddo Indian Room - features Caddo Indian relics and arrowheads dating back 10,000 years. In addition to historic boomtown buildings and outdoor exhibits, a new 12,000-square-foot facility with new exhibits has been added.
MANSFIELD FEMALE COLLEGE - The Huckaby and Calhoun families of Sabine Parish have donated the property and grounds that previously housed Mansfield Female College, the oldest women's college west of the Mississippi River. This museum was added to the Secretary of State's Museums Program during the 2003 legislative session. The Mansfield Female College is currently closed, but the Secretary of State's office is putting together plans and securing funding for the museum, which will soon open for visitors.
THE MCNEILL STREET PUMPING STATION in Shreveport is a classic representation of a pumping station in the South. The museum's purpose is to collect and preserve documents, artifacts and objects of art reflecting the history of the pumping station and water supply related artifacts in Louisiana. This museum was added to the Secretary of State's Museum Program during the 2004 legislative session. The McNeill Street Pumping Station is currently closed, but the Secretary of State's office is putting together plans and securing funding for the museum, which will soon open to the public. "NEW"
THE NORTH LOUSIANA MILITARY MUSEUM in Ruston is a fitting memorial to all citizens of the state who have served in the armed forces. The museum houses a stunning collection of memorabilia, artifacts, historical data and exhibits spanning all wars from the Spanish American through today's war on terror. The sheer number of military artifacts in this museum is astounding, and far exceeds that of many larger museums of its type in America. This museum was added to the Secretary of State's Museum Program during the 2003 legislative session.
THE OLD ARSENAL POWDER MAGAZINE in Baton Rouge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an exceptional Baton Rouge landmark located next to the state capitol building. It was constructed in 1838 when it was determined the original was too small and too close to the Pentagon Barracks. The magazine's importance as a military arsenal was reflected in its early U.S. service to the southwest territory, its use as a major staging area for the Mexican War, and its strategic sought-after location during the Civil War. In 1886 the magazine was returned to Louisiana State University for use as a library and a barn. Since then the Arsenal also served the State Police and the National Guard, prior to its most recent use as a museum.
THE OLD STATE CAPITOL in Baton Rouge was built in 1847 on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. It has withstood fire, scandal, bitter debate, abandonment, political entanglements and war to become one of the state's most significant contributions to American architecture. Vacated as the State Capitol in 1932 with the completion of the state's new 34-story Art Deco Capitol Building, the Old State Capitol was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. The Old State Capitol underwent a major restoration and rebirth as the Old State Capitol Center for Political and Governmental History in 1994.
THE TIOGA HERITAGE PARK AND located in Rapides Parish at an old commissary building adjacent to a railroad track. The building will be a museum and community center. An official ground breaking to celebrate the beginning of the construction will be held on August 25, 2005. The Heritage Society of Tioga is currently gathering artifacts and developing exhibits that will celebrate the unique history of Tioga. The adjacent acreage will be used to establish a walking tour of outdoor exhibits and picnic area. This museum was added to the Secretary of State's Museum Program during the 2003 legislative session. "UPDATED"
LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM HISTORIC PROPERTIES
OTHER LOCAL MUSEUMS IN LOUISIANA "UPDATED"
The Secretary of State maintains the Notary Public Registry. Requirements for becoming a notary for both attorneys and non-attorneys are detailed in this newly redesigned section.
WHAT'S NEW
NOTARY EXAMINATIONS "UPDATED"
- Application Process
- Examination Dates and Application Deadlines
- Notary Examination Study Material
- Examination Format
- FAQ Page Find the answer to your question in our FAQ.
- Quick Facts Information about the Notary Seal, Commission Expiration Dates, Surety Bonds, Personal Surety, Dual Commissions, Parish Changes and Reciprocal Parishes.
- Notary Filing Requirements Chart What you need to file to become a notary.
- Reciprocal Parishes Practicing notaries in some parishes may notarize in other parishes without additional bonding or examinations.
- Parish Contact List Who to contact in each parish. "UPDATED"
- Oath of Office
- Signature Form Use this form or anything similar to provide the requested information.
- Surety Bond Form (pending)
- Fee Schedule Our fees for notary filings.
- Notary Database Search for notaries by name or zipcode.
- Download a ZIP file of the Notary database in .DBF format.
The Publications Division is responsible for the majority of the publishing done by the Secretary of State's office, ranging from the Acts of the Legislature to the "Louisiana Facts Brochure". The Publications Division also manages the Official Parish Journals list, the Proces Verbaux program, and the "Living Will" Declaration Registry and Will Registry programs. This index page provides information about all publications and programs listed below.
Corporations and Notaries Publications
- Corporation Laws
- Doing Business in Louisiana (English or Russian/English)
- Notary Public Law
- Acts of the Legislature
- Index of Acts
- Legislative Bills to Acts Database - Current Session
- Calendars & Journals
- Lawrason Act
- Election Code
- Election Returns
- Report of Secretary of State
- Code of Governmental Ethics
- Louisiana Roster of Officials
- Guide to Non-Public Records of the Louisiana State Archives
- Louisiana Facts Brochure
- Louisiana State Road Map
- Office of the State Register Publications
- State Legislature Publications
- Official Parish Journals Program
- Proces Verbaux Program
- Bond Registration Program
- "Living Will" Declarations
- Will Registry Program
