Colorado notary commission
Colorado notary commission: free training, an exam and a $10 application
Take the Secretary of State's free training and pass the open-book online exam, have the affirmation form notarized, and apply online for $10 with your certificates and ID. Approval usually takes 3 to 5 business days, and you may notarize once the approval email arrives. The commission lasts four years.
Colorado eligibility
- At least 18.
- A US citizen, permanent legal resident, or otherwise lawfully present in the United States.
- A Colorado resident, or with a place of employment or practice in Colorado.
- Able to read and write English.
- Not disqualified under C.R.S. 24-21-523, for example by a felony, a misdemeanor involving dishonesty in the past five years, or a revoked commission.
- Training and exam completed no more than 90 days before you apply.
Source: Notary FAQs: applying; Notary Handbook.
The Colorado application, step by step
- Take the training. The Secretary of State's eLearning course is free; approved vendors also teach it. The certificate expires 90 days after issue.
- Pass the online exam. Open book, covering Colorado notary law and the handbook. Print the exam certificate, not the questions.
- Sign the affirmation before a notary. Use the correct (non-remote) form, fill every line, and check that the notary's stamp complies.
- Apply online and pay $10. Attach the notarized affirmation, both sides of your ID and both certificates. Processing is usually 3 to 5 business days.
- Print your certificate, buy a stamp and journal. You may notarize once the approval email arrives. A rejected application must be fixed within 90 days of payment or you start over.
Source: Notary FAQs: applying; Notary Handbook.
Colorado's low fixed costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Training and exam (Secretary of State eLearning) | $0 Approved vendors charge their own prices. |
| Notary application | $10 Renewal is also $10. |
| Remote notary application | $10 Optional. |
| Changes of record | Free Name, address, phone or email. |
| Rectangular rubber stamp | Vendor price Embossers aren't allowed. |
With free state training, a new Colorado commission costs $10 in state fees plus your stamp and journal.
Source: Notary FAQs: fees; Notary FAQs: applying.
CO starter kit · $29
Colorado Notary Starter Kit
Colorado's training, exam, affirmation and $10 application in order, the $15 and $25 caps and disclosure rule, ID rules, the journal, stamp rules, remote approval, a checklist, a budget and journal pages.
Four years, with training every time
A Colorado commission lasts four years from the approval date. Training and the exam are required for renewals too. Renew online up to 90 days before expiration with new certificates, a notarized affirmation and ID; if you've expired, file a renewal from your account rather than a new application.
Tell the Secretary of State within 30 days of a change of name, address, phone or email, or the loss of your stamp or journal (C.R.S. 24-21-530).
Source: Notary FAQs: applying; Notary Handbook.
Becoming a Colorado remote notary
Active Colorado notaries the Secretary of State approves can notarize remotely. Complete the remote training and exam, choose "Become a remote notary" in your online account, pay the $10 remote application fee, and pick at least one Secretary-approved provider.
You must be physically in Colorado. Tell the signer the session is recorded and how it's stored, get express verbal consent, and keep the recording 10 years. The fee is up to $25 per remote act. Electoral records are excluded.
Source: Notary Handbook; Notary FAQs: fees.
Colorado fees, journal and stamp
Colorado caps a paper notarization at $15 per document and an electronic or remote one at $25. Copies, mileage and travel have no cap, but every charge must be disclosed in writing before the act (Rule 2.4).
Record every notarial act in your journal, including copy certifications and oral oaths (C.R.S. 24-21-519), and keep it 10 years after the commission ends. Your rectangular rubber stamp shows your name, notary ID number, expiration date, "STATE OF COLORADO" and "NOTARY PUBLIC"; embossers aren't allowed.
Source: Notary FAQs: fees; Notary Handbook.
Want loan signings, not just walk-in notarizations? The Loan Signing Cheat Sheet explains the documents in a refinance or purchase package, and the Notary Marketing Kit covers getting found by title companies and local clients.
Colorado notary questions
Is Colorado's notary training free?
The Secretary of State's eLearning course is free. Approved vendors also teach it.
How old can my Colorado training certificate be?
No more than 90 days old when you file.
Can I use an embosser in Colorado?
No. Colorado requires a rectangular rubber stamp; embossers aren't allowed.
Do renewing Colorado notaries take the exam again?
Yes. Training and the exam are required for new and renewing notaries.
What can a Colorado notary charge?
Up to $15 per paper document and $25 for an electronic or remote act. Extras such as travel must be disclosed in writing before the act.
Guides for other states · Becoming a notary in New Jersey
General information from official Colorado sources, checked November 2026. It is not legal advice, and we are not lawyers. Requirements and fees change, so confirm them with the Colorado Secretary of State before you apply. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with the State of Colorado.