How to become a notary in Colorado
Eligibility, a course, an exam, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Colorado resident, or have a place of employment or practice in Colorado; must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S.; Read and write English; never convicted of a felony; no misdemeanor involving dishonesty in the past 5 years; never had a notary commission revoked (24-21-523 C.R.S.).
- Take the required notary course — Approved notary training completed within 90 days before applying. Free online eLearning course from the Secretary of State, or an SOS-approved vendor. No fixed hour count set by law.
- Pass the notary exam — Open-book online exam given by the Secretary of State, free; passed within 90 days before applying. Upload the training and exam certificates with the application.
- Complete the background check — No fingerprinting. Disqualifying convictions (any felony; dishonesty misdemeanor within 5 years) and lawful presence are checked through the application and ID uploads.
- Apply to the Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program — Pay the $10 state fee.
- Take the oath and file it — Before applying, sign the 'Affirmation for Appointment and Commission as a Notary Public' in front of a Colorado notary and upload it with the online application. No county filing. You may start notarizing once the approval e-mail arrives; print the commission certificate from your online account.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: rectangular ink stamp with a border containing exactly your name as on the certificate, 'NOTARY PUBLIC', 'STATE OF COLORADO', notary ID number and commission expiration date. Embossers may not be used; no other text inside the border. Journal: Required.
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Colorado's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Colorado notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Colorado resident, or have a place of employment or practice in Colorado; must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S. |
| Course | Required Approved notary training completed within 90 days before applying. Free online eLearning course from the Secretary of State, or an SOS-approved vendor. No fixed hour count set by law. |
| Exam | Required Open-book online exam given by the Secretary of State, free; passed within 90 days before applying. Upload the training and exam certificates with the application. |
| State fee | $10 |
| Other fees | None charged by the state beyond the $10 online application fee (training and exam are free through the SOS). You pay for your own stamp, journal and the notarization of your affirmation form. |
| Surety bond | None No surety bond required in Colorado. |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | No fingerprinting. Disqualifying convictions (any felony; dishonesty misdemeanor within 5 years) and lawful presence are checked through the application and ID uploads. |
| Term | 4 years |
| Oath / filing | Before applying, sign the 'Affirmation for Appointment and Commission as a Notary Public' in front of a Colorado notary and upload it with the online application. No county filing. You may start notarizing once the approval e-mail arrives; print the commission certificate from your online account. |
| Seal | Required: rectangular ink stamp with a border containing exactly your name as on the certificate, 'NOTARY PUBLIC', 'STATE OF COLORADO', notary ID number and commission expiration date. Embossers may not be used; no other text inside the border. |
| Journal | Required |
| Max fee per notarization | $15 per document; $25 for an electronic or remote notarization. You must give the signer a written list of the fees charged. |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Separate remote notary approval for active Colorado notaries: complete the SOS remote notary training and exam, then apply online ($10). Must use an SOS-approved provider, keep a tamper-evident electronic journal and store audio-video recordings for 10 years. |
| Renewal | Renew online up to 90 days before expiration; new training and exam certificates plus a new notarized affirmation are required each time; $10. An expired notary files a renewal (not a new application) with the same requirements. |
Everything is online. Journal entries are mandatory except where the employer keeps a record holding all journal information. Completed journals must be kept 10 years, sent to State Archives, or left with the employer, with notice to the SOS. Lost or stolen stamp/journal must be reported within 30 days. Since 2026-01-01 (HB 25-1076) mobile driver's licenses may be accepted as ID.
Sources: Colorado SOS – Notary Public home · Colorado SOS – Notary FAQs: Applying and renewing · Colorado SOS – Notary FAQs: Fees · Colorado SOS – Notary FAQs: Official stamps and journals · Colorado SOS – Notary FAQs: Remote notarization. Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Colorado notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Colorado licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Colorado insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Colorado?
The state fee is $10, plus None charged by the state beyond the $10 online application fee (training and exam are free through the SOS). You pay for your own stamp, journal and the notarization of your affirmation form.. Add the course, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Colorado?
3 to 5 business days (SOS FAQ). Rejected applications must be corrected and approved within 90 days of payment..
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Colorado?
Colorado requires a course, an exam.
How much can a notary charge in Colorado?
$15 per document; $25 for an electronic or remote notarization. You must give the signer a written list of the fees charged..
Can I be an online notary in Colorado?
Yes. Separate remote notary approval for active Colorado notaries: complete the SOS remote notary training and exam, then apply online ($10). Must use an SOS-approved provider, keep a tamper-evident electronic journal and store audio-video recordings for 10 years.