For Notaries · Colorado
How to Become a Notary in Colorado
To become a notary in Colorado, be at least 18 and a Colorado resident or employed in the state. No surety bond is required. Complete the Secretary of State's approved notary training course, pass the exam, and apply online with a $10 fee. Commissions last four years.
Need a document notarized instead? This guide covers becoming a commissioned notary in Colorado. If you are looking for a notary today, compare where to get a document notarized or notarize it online in minutes.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Colorado keeps the path to a notary commission refreshingly simple. Unlike states that require a surety bond, Colorado does not mandate one at all. The Colorado Secretary of State commissions notaries and provides a free online training course and exam, so new applicants can qualify at no cost. Once you pass, you apply through the Secretary of State's online system, pay a $10 fee, and receive a four-year commission. Colorado has also allowed remote online notarization since December 31, 2020, so after you are commissioned you can add a remote notary registration and notarize for signers who appear over live audio-video — a direct path to paid online signing work.
Colorado Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | At least 18 years old and either a legal resident of Colorado or employed (with a place of business or work) in Colorado. No surety bond is required to be commissioned. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | Not required. Colorado does not mandate a notary surety bond to become a notary or to renew. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is optional and up to the individual notary. |
| State filing fee | $10 |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | Required. Complete a state-approved notary training course (the Secretary of State's free online eLearning course satisfies this). The training completion certificate must be no older than 90 days at the time you apply. |
| Exam | Required. Colorado requires you to pass the state notary exam before applying. The Secretary of State offers a free online training course and exam, and your exam certificate must be dated within the last 90 days when you submit your application. |
Colorado charges a $10.00 fee to apply for or renew a notary public commission, and a separate $10.00 fee to register as a remote notary. — Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Public Fee Schedule
How to Become a Notary in Colorado: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Make sure you are at least 18 years old and either a legal resident of Colorado or employed in the state. Colorado does not require you to post a surety bond, which removes a cost and a step that many other states impose.
- 2
Complete the state-approved notary training course
Take an approved Colorado notary training course. The Secretary of State offers a free online eLearning training course, and your training completion certificate must be dated within the last 90 days when you apply.
- 3
Pass the Colorado notary exam
Pass the Colorado notary public exam that accompanies the training. The Secretary of State's exam is free and, like the training, your exam certificate must be no older than 90 days when you submit your application.
- 4
Apply online and pay the $10 fee
Log in to the Colorado Secretary of State's notary system, complete the application, upload your training and exam certificates, sign the notary affirmation, and pay the $10 application fee.
- 5
Receive your commission and get your supplies
Once approved, the Secretary of State issues your four-year commission and an 11-digit notary ID. Order your inked notary stamp and a journal (record book), then you can begin notarizing across Colorado.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Colorado
Colorado has fully operative remote online notarization. Once you hold an active Colorado commission, you complete the remote notary training and exam, select at least one Secretary of State-approved technology provider, and submit a remote notary application through your online notary account. You must be physically located in Colorado when you perform a remote notarization, and you may charge up to $25 per remote notarial act.
Online / remote notary application fee: $10 remote notary application fee (state)
Colorado notaries have been able to register to perform remote online notarizations since December 31, 2020.
See how RON is authorized in Colorado — and state by state →
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the Colorado remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Colorado instead? Notarize online with a Colorado commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Colorado
Colorado allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Colorado commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in Colorado? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Colorado?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application fee | $10 (online) |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Notary training & exam | Free via the Secretary of State (third-party courses vary) |
| Notary stamp & journal | Varies by supplier |
| Remote notary application (optional) | $10 (state) |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
What a Colorado Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Colorado caps what a notary may charge per notarial act, and here is exactly where those ceilings sit.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | $15 |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | $25 |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how Colorado compares with every other state in the full 50-state breakdown of what a notary costs.
Verified July 2026 against the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" table and primary state statutes/Secretary of State rules. Several states (WA, VA, NC) raised caps in 2023–2024. Fees are per notarial act/signature; a notary may charge less, never more. Confirm your state before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in Colorado
Commission term in Colorado
4 years
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your Colorado Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Colorado notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states · compare RON platforms
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
Does Colorado require a notary bond?
No. Colorado does not require notaries to obtain a surety bond to be commissioned or to renew. The Secretary of State only requires you to complete the training, pass the exam, and pay the $10 fee. Many notaries still choose to carry errors and omissions (E&O) insurance for their own protection.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Colorado?
The Colorado Secretary of State application fee is $10. Because no bond is required, your main additional costs are your notary stamp and journal, which vary by supplier. The state's own training course and exam are free, so you can qualify without paying a course provider.
Is there an exam to become a notary in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires you to complete an approved notary training course and pass a notary exam before you apply. The Secretary of State provides a free online course and exam, and both certificates must be dated within the last 90 days when you submit your application.
How long is a Colorado notary commission valid?
A Colorado notary public commission lasts four years. You must renew before it expires (also a $10 fee) and, if you are a remote notary, keep that registration current as part of your renewal.
Does Colorado allow remote online notarization?
Yes. Colorado notaries have been able to register as remote notaries since December 31, 2020. After you hold an active commission, you take the remote notary training and exam, choose an approved technology provider, and apply through your notary account. You must be physically located in Colorado when you perform a remote notarization.
How much can a Colorado notary charge?
By law, a Colorado notary may charge up to $15 per document for a standard notarization and up to $25 for an electronic or remote notarization. Any other services you provide should be itemized separately.
When does a Colorado notary commission expire?
The Colorado commission term is: 4 years. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the Colorado cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- What a loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby Mountain guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Public (official commissioning authority)
- Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Public Fee Schedule
- Colorado Secretary of State — Remote Notarization FAQs
- National Notary Association — How to Become a Colorado Notary (cross-check)
This guide summarizes public requirements from Colorado's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.