Notary Public
Colorado
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
Yes
Education Required
online allowed
Yes
Exam Required
100%
No
Bond Required
no bond needed
Application Process
VerifiedVerify qualifications (age, lawful presence, no disqualifying convictions)
Complete a state-approved Colorado notary training course (free from SOS or paid vendor)
Pass the online Colorado notary exam with 100% score
Review current notary law (Title 24, Article 21, Part 5, Colorado Revised Statutes)
Submit online application via Colorado SOS eFiling system with scanned documents and $10 fee
Receive email with notary ID and temporary password (typically 3-5 business days)
Purchase a rectangular rubber stamp ink seal
Maintain a required notary journal (RULONA requirement)
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be lawfully present in the United States. No explicit Colorado residency requirement, but must provide valid identification for proof of legal name, age, and lawful presence.
Citizenship
Must be lawfully present in the United States (U.S. citizen or legal resident)
Background Check
No disqualifying convictions: no felony conviction ever, no misdemeanor involving dishonesty within the past 5 years. Commission must never have been revoked. Verified through application self-disclosure.
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
RequiredMust complete a state-approved Colorado notary training course from an approved education vendor. Free online training and examination is provided by the Secretary of State's office. Training can be completed online or in person.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
RequiredMust pass the Colorado notary exam with a 100% score. The exam is an open-book online assessment that generally takes 25-30 minutes. Free exam provided by the Secretary of State's office.
Passing score: 100%
Administered by: Colorado Secretary of State (online)
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Not RequiredColorado does not require a surety bond for notary commissions. Notaries may voluntarily obtain a bond or E&O insurance.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredOptional. Notaries may purchase E&O insurance for personal protection but it is not mandated by the state.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredRectangular rubber stamp ink seal required. Must include the notary's name (exactly as on commission), notary identification number (issued by SOS), and commission expiration date (month, day, year). Must also include 'Notary Public' and 'State of Colorado'. Embossers are not permitted as an official seal.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $10 |
Bond Premium Bond not required in Colorado | N/A |
Stamp / Seal Approximate cost; purchased from private vendors | $30 |
Education Course Free training available from the SOS; approved vendors may charge up to ~$65 | $0-$65 |
Total Estimated Cost Range depends on whether free SOS training is used ($40 minimum: $10 application + $30 seal) vs. paid vendor training ($175: $10 application + $65 training + $15 oath notarization + $30 seal + $55 journal) | $40-$175 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Can renew up to 90 days prior to commission expiration date. Same online application process as new commission. Must retake training and exam.
Renewal Fee
$10
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Permitted since December 31, 2020. Notaries must complete special RON training/exam (SOS eLearning) and register via their online notary account. Must use SOS-approved RON technology providers. Session recording is mandatory for entire RON session, stored securely for 10 years, and signers must give express verbal consent to recording.
Additional Requirements
Must complete RON-specific training and exam; must use SOS-approved technology provider; must record all sessions and retain for 10 years
Important Notes
What Makes Colorado Unique
Colorado is notable for not requiring a surety bond or E&O insurance, and for requiring a perfect 100% score on the open-book online exam. The state provides free training and testing through the SOS, keeping startup costs very low compared to other states.
Colorado is one of the few states that does not require a surety bond for notaries.
A journal (record book) is mandatory under RULONA for all notarial acts.
Maximum fee for a notarization is $15 per document; $25 for electronic or remote notarization.
Colorado provides free training and examination through the SOS office.
The exam requires a perfect 100% score to pass.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in Colorado
Colorado requires notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
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