How to Become a Notary Public in Colorado

There is a $10 fee to apply for a Notary Public commission online. Additional costs for training courses, Notary supplies and insurance vary depending on vendors.

The cost of commissioning can differ depending on whether you are a new or renewing Notary. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.

The Colorado Secretary of State estimates a length of three to five business days for the processing of a Notary Public commission application.

A Colorado Notary commission lasts for four years.

A Notary Public applicant in Colorado must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident, or lawfully present in the U.S.
• Be a resident of or have a place of employment in Colorado
• Be able to read and write English
• Not be convicted of a felony or the unauthorized practice of law
• Not be convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty in the prior five years
• Not have a finding against, or admission of liability to, acts of fraud, dishonesty or deceit
• Not have a Notary Public commission revoked, denied or suspended in another state

To verify an applicant is lawfully present in the U.S., the Secretary of State will check one of eight forms of identification or accept an affidavit from the applicant stating they are residing lawfully in the U.S. This new law will take effect on July 1, 2022.

Colorado requires training for all Notary applicants. The training can be taken online or in-person by an approved education vendor. The training provided by the state is a two-hour class. The National Notary Association also offers a training course that meets the states requirements.

Yes. Colorado Notaries must take an exam. The online, open-book exam generally takes 25-30 minutes to complete. When you finish the exam, click the "Print Completion Certificate" button to issue proof that you passed.

Colorado Notaries are required to use a rubber stamp ink seal and a journal for paper-based notarizations. Stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging. The seal must be in a rectangular design with a rectangular outline or border that is either plain or decorative. The following information must be inside the border:

• Your name as it appears on your commission certificate
• The words "Notary Public"
• The words "State of Colorado"
• Your Notary ID number
• Your commission expiration date

You must also keep and maintain a journal of all your official notarial acts. You may keep a hardcopy with numbered pages or a tamper-evident digital journal. Simple notebooks or glue-bound journals are not acceptable in Colorado. When purchasing a journal, there are features to which you must pay close attention. A journal with tamper-proof sewn construction allows Notaries to identify missing pages in their journals, which becomes extremely helpful if you're ever named in a lawsuit. Your Notary seal and journal of notarial acts must be kept secure and under your exclusive control. They may not be used by any other person.

A surety bond is not required in Colorado.

However, Notaries can insure themselves against possible legal costs or damages by purchasing a separate, optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Though not required by law either, an E&O policy covers a Notary's legal fees and damages up to the amount of the policy, should the Notary get sued for making an unintentional mistake or if a false claim is filed against them.

The Colorado Office of Secretary of State, Business and Licensing Division, Notary Program, Denver, CO, issues Notary Public commissions.

Yes. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to become a Colorado Notary Public. If you're not a citizen, you must be a permanent legal resident or lawfully present in the United States. You must reside in or have a place of employment in Colorado and meet all other application requirements.

A Colorado Notary can perform notarial acts anywhere within the state's borders.

Notaries commissioned by the state of Colorado may perform notarizations for any member of the public, as long as the request meets all statutory requirements for notarization. You're not allowed to notarize your own signature or that of your spouse, partner, ancestors, descendants and siblings. Any document from which you or your family member might benefit is strictly prohibited.

Colorado authorizes Notaries to charge a maximum fee of $15 per traditional notarial act and $25 per electronic document.

Starting on April 30, 2024, Notaries who charge a fee must notify the signer of all fees verbally or in writing before performing the notarial act. Fees must be itemized and provided to the signer in the form of a receipt or other written document.

Any changes to your address, name or signature must be reported to the Secretary of State within 30 days of the change. You can do so by logging into your account and updating your information there. If you change your home address, you can print a new Notary Commission Certificate with your new address. For name changes, you must provide a copy of an acceptable ID with your new name and submit a sample of your new signature.

The process to renew your commission is the same as when you initially applied to become a Colorado Notary. You may renew online up to 90 days before your commission expires.

As of December 31, 2020, Colorado Notaries can register to perform remote online notarizations (RONs). Once you become a commissioned Notary Public, follow the steps in this guide to become a CO remote online Notary.

It's important to know that before you perform electronic notarizations you must alert the Secretary of State. Specific information for CO Notaries are available on the Guide to In-Person Electronic Notarization page.

If you're not quite ready yet, we have additional resources where you can learn what a Notary is, what they do and why you should become a commissioned Notary.