What Colorado Requires to Become a Notary

To become a notary in Colorado, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Colorado, and able to read and write English. You do not need a high school diploma or any prior experience. The state does not require you to pass a test before you receive your commission, though you will need to submit an process to the Secretary of State's office and pay a fee.

Colorado notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State for a four-year term. Once commissioned, you can notarize documents, administer oaths, and take acknowledgments. Your commission is valid only within Colorado, and you cannot notarize your own documents or documents for when ready family members in most cases.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18 years old, a Colorado resident, and able to read and write English to become a notary.
  • Submit a completed process to the Colorado Secretary of State along with the process fee, which is currently $50 for a four-year commission.
  • You will receive a notary commission certificate by mail after the Secretary of State approves your process, typically within two to four weeks.
  • After you receive your commission, you must obtain a notary seal and journal before you can begin notarizing documents.
  • Colorado does not require notaries to take a test or complete training before commissioning, but you should learn the rules that govern notary conduct.

Step-by-Step process Process

Start by obtaining the notary process form from the Colorado Secretary of State website. The form is called the "process for Notary Public Commission" and is available as a PDF you can print and fill out by hand, or you can request a paper copy by mail. Fill in your full legal name, current Colorado address, phone number, and email address. You will also need to provide your date of birth and Colorado driver's license number or state ID number.

Sign and date the process in front of a notary public or other authorized official. This signature must be notarized — you cannot sign it yourself. If you do not already know a notary, you can find one through your bank, local library, or a title company. Once the process is notarized, mail it to the Colorado Secretary of State along with a check or money order for $50 made payable to the "Secretary of State." Send everything to the address listed on the process form.

The Secretary of State will process your process and send you a commission certificate by mail. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. Once you receive the certificate, keep it in a safe place — you will need it to renew your commission every four years.

Getting Your Notary Seal and Journal

After you receive your commission certificate, you must obtain a notary seal (also called a stamp) and a notary journal before you can perform any notary duties. These are not provided by the state and must be purchased from a vendor. Colorado requires that your seal include your name, the words "Notary Public," the state of Colorado, and your commission expiration date.

You can order a notary seal online from office supply companies, legal document services, or local office supply stores. Expect to pay between $15 and $40 for a seal, depending on the style and vendor. A notary journal is a bound book where you record details of each notarization you perform — the date, the document type, the signer's name and ID type, and your fee. Journals cost between $10 and $25 and are available from the same vendors as seals.

Some vendors sell notary seal and journal kits together. Make sure any seal you purchase meets Colorado's requirements before ordering. Once you have both items, you are ready to notarize documents.

Understanding Colorado Notary Rules and Restrictions

Colorado law sets clear boundaries on what notaries can and cannot do. You cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction, if you are a party to the document, or if the signer is your spouse, parent, child, or sibling. You also cannot notarize a document for yourself under any circumstances.

When you notarize a document, you must require the signer to appear in person before you. You cannot notarize a document based on a copy, a phone call, or a video call. The signer must present a valid form of identification — a driver's license, passport, military ID, or other government-issued ID. You must verify that the person's signature on the ID matches the signature they place on the document.

You must keep a record of every notarization in your journal, including the date, the document title, the signer's name, the type of ID presented, and the fee you charged. Colorado allows notaries to charge a fee of up to $25 per notarization, though you can charge less. Your journal is a legal record and must be kept for at least five years.

Renewal and Maintaining Your Commission

Your notary commission lasts four years from the date it is issued. About 60 days before your commission expires, the Secretary of State will send you a renewal notice. To renew, you must submit a renewal process, pay the renewal fee (currently $50), and have your signature notarized again by another notary public.

If you miss the renewal important date, your commission will expire and you will no longer be able to notarize documents. You can reapply as a new notary, but it is simpler to renew on time. Keep your commission certificate and renewal notices in a safe place so you know when renewal is due.

If you move out of Colorado or no longer wish to be a notary, you can resign your commission by notifying the Secretary of State in writing. Return your commission certificate with your resignation letter.

Common Mistakes Notaries Make in Colorado

One of the most common mistakes is notarizing a document without the signer present in person. This is illegal and can result in your commission being revoked. Another mistake is failing to record the notarization in your journal or recording incomplete information. Your journal is your legal protection — if a question arises about a notarization you performed, your journal entry is the evidence.

Notaries also sometimes notarize documents for family members or people they have a financial interest in, which violates Colorado law. Even if the signer asks you to make an exception, you cannot. If you cannot notarize a document because of a conflict, refer the signer to another notary.

A third mistake is using an expired seal or failing to update your seal when your commission is renewed. Your seal must show your current commission expiration date. If your seal shows an old date, documents you notarize may be rejected as invalid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take a test to become a notary in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not require notaries to pass a test or complete formal training before commissioning. However, you should read the Colorado notary laws and understand your duties and restrictions before you begin notarizing documents. The Secretary of State website provides a notary handbook with this information.

How much can I charge for a notarization in Colorado?

Colorado law allows notaries to charge up to $25 per notarization. You can charge less, and some notaries charge $5 to $15 per document. You must record the fee you charged in your journal for each notarization.

Can I notarize a document for my spouse or parent?

No. Colorado law prohibits notaries from notarizing documents for spouses, parents, children, or siblings. You also cannot notarize a document if you have a financial interest in the transaction or if you are a party to the document.

What happens if my notary commission expires?

Once your commission expires, you can no longer notarize documents. You will need to reapply as a new notary and pay the process fee again. To avoid this, renew your commission before the expiration date listed on your certificate.

Can I notarize documents online or by video call in Colorado?

Colorado law requires the signer to appear in person before you. Remote notarization by video is not permitted under current Colorado law, though this may change. Always verify the current rules with the Secretary of State before performing any notarization.