This guide provides comprehensive information on becoming and renewing as a notary public in Colorado as of May 2025. It covers eligibility, the application process, renewals, required tools, remote notarization rules, and answers common questions.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Application Process for New Notary Commission
- Surety Bond
- Notary Seal and Journal Requirements
- Oath of Office and Recording the Commission
- Commission Term and Expiration
- Commission Renewal Process
- Remote Online Notarization (RON)
- Official Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Colorado notary commission, you must:
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Age and Citizenship: Be at least 18 years old AND a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S.).
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Colorado Ties: Be a resident of Colorado OR have a regular place of employment or practice in Colorado.
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English Proficiency: Be able to read and write English sufficiently to perform notarial acts.
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Good Character: Not have disqualifying convictions (no felony ever, no misdemeanor involving dishonesty in past 5 years) AND never have had a Colorado notary commission revoked.
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Training and Exam: Complete an approved Colorado notary training course AND pass the Colorado notary exam with a 100% score.
(Colorado law: Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts - RULONA, C.R.S. Title 24 Article 21 Part 5).
Get a notary stamp that meets Colorado’s official requirements, available in multiple formats and shipped within one business day.
Application Process for New Notary Commission (Online)
Colorado’s process is online via the Secretary of State’s (SOS) eFiling system.
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Complete Training and Exam: First, complete the required RULONA training and pass the exam.
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Options: The CO SOS provides a free online notary course and exam (results valid 90 days). Approved third-party training providers are also available.
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Prepare Documents: Scan and save in PDF format:
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Signed and notarized Affirmation form.
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Acceptable government-issued ID (both sides).
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Notary training completion certificate.
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Notary exam certificate (showing 100% score).
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If not a U.S. citizen: both sides of Permanent Resident Card or EAD visa.
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File Online: Log in to your Colorado SOS account (or create one) and select “Apply for a new commission.” Upload the scanned documents. For out-of-state IDs invalid for federal purposes, include additional lawful presence proof.
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Pay Filing Fee: Submit the $10 application fee online (credit/debit card).
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Await Approval: SOS typically processes applications within 3-5 business days. You'll receive an approval email. If errors, you have 90 days to correct and resubmit.
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Obtain Commission Certificate & Tools: After approval, print your official Notary Commission Certificate from your online account. Then, obtain your official stamp and journal before notarizing.
Surety Bond
Colorado does not require a surety bond or insurance for notary commissions. Notaries may voluntarily obtain a bond or Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance for personal protection.
Notary Seal and Journal Requirements
Notary Stamp (Seal): Mandatory. A physical rubber stamp (inked seal) is required.
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Format: Rectangular.
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Content (printed inside border):
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Notary’s name (exactly as on commission).
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“Notary Public.”
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“State of Colorado.”
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Notary’s identification number (issued by SOS).
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Notary’s commission expiration date (month, day, year).
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Ink: Must copy clearly onto documents.
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Embossers: Not permitted as an official seal.
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Security: Upon commission end (expiration/termination), immediately destroy or disable stamps.
Journal (Record Book): Mandatory. RULONA requires a journal for all notarial acts.
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Format: Bound paper book with pre-numbered pages OR a tamper-evident electronic journal compliant with SOS rules. (RON entries must be in an electronic journal).
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Retention: Retain for 10 years after the date of the last entry.
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Required Entries (contemporaneous): Date and time of act; description of document or type of act; each signer’s full name and address; signer’s signature (or electronic signature); method of identification (or personal knowledge notation); fee charged (if any). If an interpreter is used, include the interpreter's name, credentials, and address.
Oath of Office and Recording the Commission
The Affirmation form (provided by SOS) serves as the written oath of office.
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Procedure: Sign the Affirmation form and have it notarized by a qualified official (e.g., another notary).
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Submission: Upload the notarized Affirmation form with your online application.
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No County Recording: Once SOS approves your application (including the Affirmation), no further county recording is needed. Your commission is issued electronically.
Commission Term and Expiration
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Term: Four (4) years from the application approval date.
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Expiration: Date printed on Commission Certificate and required on stamp. Authority ends precisely on this date.
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Renewal: Apply up to 90 days before expiration. No grace period for notarizing post-expiration.
Commission Renewal Process
Online, mirrors new applications.
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Timing: Within 90 days before the current commission expires.
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Training and Exam: Retake approved training course and pass online exam (100% score) unless current certificates are less than 90 days old.
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Documents to Upload: Log into SOS account, select “Renew commission.” Attach signed, notarized Affirmation form, ID copy, new training completion certificate, and new exam certificate.
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Fee: Pay $10 renewal filing fee.
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Processing: After approval (a few business days), print an updated Commission Certificate. Ensure stamps reflect the new expiration date.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Colorado
Permitted under C.R.S. 24-21-504.5 and RULONA. Optional.
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Eligibility & Registration: Must be current CO notary. Complete special RON training/exam (SOS eLearning). Apply via online notary account ("Become a remote notary").
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Approved Providers: Use SOS-approved RON technology provider (list on SOS website).
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Session Recording: Mandatory audio/video recording of the entire RON session, stored securely for 10 years. Signers must give express verbal consent to recording.
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Journal: RON acts logged in an electronic journal (include RON provider name).
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Notarial Certificate: Standard CO certificate wording, plus notation "by means of communication technology" or similar.
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ID Verification: Credential analysis (government ID + KBA), personal knowledge + credible witness, or other approved multi-factor methods.
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Excluded Documents: Wills, codicils, petition circulator affidavits for state/local initiatives/candidacies. (Most other documents, including real estate, allowed).
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Fees: Max $25 per remote (electronic) notarization (in lieu of $15 max for paper acts). Disclose all fees in writing.
Official Resources
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Colorado SOS – Notary Public: coloradosos.gov or sos.state.co.us (official portal, applications, RON info, FAQs, forms).
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Colorado Notary Handbook (SOS PDF): Official manual with RULONA details.
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Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.): Title 24, Article 21, Part 5 (Notary Laws).
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SOS eLearning Portal: Free RULONA training/exam.
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Approved RON Providers List: On SOS website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is eligible to become a Colorado notary public?
A: ≥18, U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident (or lawfully present), live or work in CO, read/write English, no disqualifying convictions, complete state training/exam (100% score).
Q: How do I apply for a new notary commission?
A: Complete SOS-approved training/exam. Apply online via SOS portal: upload notarized Affirmation form, ID, training/exam certs. Pay a $10 fee.
Q: Is a surety bond required?
A: No. Colorado does not mandate a notary bond or insurance. Optional E&O is a personal choice.
Q: What should my notary stamp and journal include?
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- Stamp: Rectangular, with name, "Notary Public," "State of Colorado," Notary ID#, commission expiration date.
- Journal: Mandatory (paper or electronic). Record: date/time, act/doc type, signer name/address/signature, ID method, fee. Keep 10 yrs.
Q: How long is a Colorado notary commission valid, and how do I renew?
A: 4 years.
- Renew online up to 90 days pre-expiration: retake training/exam, new Affirmation, ID, certs, $10 fee.
- If expired, renew the same way (no new app needed).
Q: Can I get a duplicate certificate or change my name/address?
A: Yes. Use SOS online services. Notify SOS within 30 days of name/address change. Fee for name change. Updated certificate printable from account.
Q: What fees can I charge for notarial services?
A: Disclose fees in writing. Travel fees separate, by agreement.
- Max $15 per document (paper).
- Max $25 per act (remote/electronic).
Q: What is the fee to apply for or renew a notary commission?
A: $10 for new application or renewal.
Q: Can I perform remote online notarizations (RON)? If so, how?
A: Yes. Must be current CO notary. Complete SOS RON training/exam. Apply via online account ("Become a remote notary"). Use an SOS-approved RON provider.
Q: What are the requirements for remote notarizations?
A: Use an approved audio-visual platform. Record session (10-yr retention, signer consent). Verify ID (credential analysis/KBA). E-journal. Certificate notes remote tech. Excludes wills, codicils, petition affidavits.
Q: What if I lose my stamp or journal, or commit an error?
A: Report lost/stolen stamp/journal to SOS immediately. For errors, consult SOS handbook or legal counsel. Errors/fraud can invalidate acts and lead to penalties.
Q: Where can I find more information and official guidance?
A: Colorado SOS website (Notary Public section, FAQs, Handbook), C.R.S. Title 24 Art. 21 Part 5, training materials.
Always consult official Colorado SOS resources for the most current information.