Quick Facts
Commission Term
4 years
Bond
Not required
Application Fee
$10
Issuing Authority
Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program via online portal
Journal
Required
Fee Caps
Yes
What makes Colorado distinctive
- Colorado does not permit remote online notarization (RON), unlike the majority of states that have authorized it.
- Colorado's $10 application fee is among the lowest in the country (national median is $30).
- Colorado does not require a notary bond, unlike the 28 states that do.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
RON Not Available
Colorado does not currently authorize remote online notarization.
Key Considerations
- RULONA Adoption - Colorado adopted Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) effective July 1, 2018; comprehensive modernization of notary law; C.R.S. 24-21-501 et seq.
- 100% Exam Pass Requirement - Must achieve perfect 100% score on exam (training and exam via SOS eLearning); tests knowledge of Colorado notary laws and RULONA
- One-Year Expired ID Rule - UNIQUE: Accepts government-issued IDs that are current OR expired not more than 1 year; more generous than many states requiring current IDs only
- One Credible Witness - Only ONE credible witness required (not two); witness makes verification on oath/affirmation; witness must personally know signer
- Mandatory Journal - Journal required for all notarial acts (exception if employer maintains records with all required information); 10-year retention; paper (bound, numbered) OR electronic (tamper-evident)
Regulatory Authority
Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
C.R.S. 24-21-501
Short title - RULONA
C.R.S. 24-21-502
Appointment - Qualifications - No immunity
C.R.S. 24-21-503
Application - Commission
C.R.S. 24-21-504
Authority to perform notarial acts - Journal
C.R.S. 24-21-504.5
Remote notarization
C.R.S. 24-21-505
Powers and limitations - Notarial acts
C.R.S. 24-21-507
Satisfactory evidence of identity
C.R.S. 24-21-514
Official stamp
C.R.S. 24-21-515
Notarial acts - Certificate
C.R.S. 24-21-516
Short-form certificates
C.R.S. 24-21-529
Maximum fees
C.R.S. 4-3-505
UCC Article 3 - Protests (negotiable instruments)
Senate Bill 19-084
Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA adoption)
Senate Bill 23-153
Sunset Revised Uniform Law On Notarial Acts (fee increase)
8 CCR 1505-11
Colorado Secretary of State Notary Program Rules
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Colorado?
A Colorado notary public commission is valid for 4 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Colorado?
Colorado charges $10 as the application fee to the Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Colorado require a notary bond?
No. Colorado does not require a surety bond as part of the notary commission. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional and may still be advisable for protection against personal liability.
Is a notary journal required in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires a notary journal for every official act. The journal is a permanent record subject to inspection by the Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program and must be retained for the period specified in state law.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado notaries must affix an official seal or stamp to every notarial act they perform. The seal must be obtained from an authorized vendor and meet the format requirements set by the Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program.
Can Colorado notaries perform remote online notarizations?
No. Colorado does not currently authorize remote online notarization. In-person notarization remains the only recognized method, though state law in this area changes rapidly — verify with the Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program before declining a remote request.
What identity verification methods can Colorado notaries use?
Colorado notaries may verify a signer's identity using the following methods: Personal Knowledge, Government-Issued ID, and Credible Witness. Each method has its own evidentiary weight — government-issued photo ID is the most common.
Does Colorado cap notary fees?
Yes. Colorado sets statutory maximum fees per notarial act. Charging more than the cap is a violation and may result in commission discipline. Maximum $15 per traditional notarial act; maximum $25 per electronic/remote notarization; increased from $5/$10 via Senate Bill 23-153; may charge separately for auxiliary services (travel, photocopying, administration) with client agreement; must provide documentation of notarization fee and any additional fees separately; notary may charge less or nothing; may not exceed statutory limits
Who regulates notaries in Colorado?
Colorado notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does Colorado authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. Colorado authorizes in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. This is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which uses live video for an out-of-state signer.
What notarial acts can Colorado notaries perform?
Colorado notaries are authorized to perform 11 of the 14 canonical notarial acts tracked in this guide, including Acknowledgment, Jurat, Oath / Affirmation, and Affidavit. See the Authorized Services section above for the full list.
Ready to Become a Notary in Colorado?
Start your application through the Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program.
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