How to become a Notary in the State of Colorado
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You are required to have the affirmation form notarized. You will sign the affirmation form in the presence of a notary using your official signature.
You are required to complete a notary training course. This course is provided free of charge by the Secretary of State and also by approved vendors for a fee. You will get a certificate of completion and it will display the following;
Name of vendor
The name of student
The course name
The date of completion
A note stating that the certificate is only valid for 90 days after issuance
An accreditation seal - If training was not completed with the Secretary of State office.
You are required to complete a notary public examination. You will receive a certificate of completion.
Steps to access your certificate:
Once your curriculum process is 100% completed, select the option button.
View Completion page.
View my Certificate.
Download and save the certificate.
When applying online you will scan and upload the following documents:
Upload an acceptable identification:
Current Driver’s license or State ID;
Signed U.S. passport;
Current Bureau of Indian Affairs Card or Tribal ID;
Current military ID card or common access card that has your photograph.
For Non-U.S. citizens: Permanent resident card or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. Copy of both sides. Make sure that the information on your ID is legible, and that the scan is right-side up.
You must also include your lawful presence documentation if you have either:
a Colorado issued Part 5 ID card, or
an out of state driver’s license that is invalid for identification or federal purposes.
Upload notarized affirmation form;
Upload Notary public training certificate, and
Upload Notary exam certificate
Documents can be uploaded by visiting the Secretary of State website Notary section.
Requirements to become a Notary
Be 18 years of age or older;
Are a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States or otherwise lawfully present in the United States;
Be a resident or have a place of employment or practice in Colorado;
Can read and write the English language
Are not disqualified to receive a commission under section 24-21-523 (I) including;
Have never been convicted of a felony;
Have not been convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty in the past five years;
Have never had a notary commission revoked, and
Have passed the Colorado notary exam after completing training.
Where can I apply to become a Notary?
You can apply to become a Notary by visiting the Secretary of State website.
What fees are involved with becoming a Notary?
What fees are involved with becoming a Notary?
Visit the Secretary of State Notary section for updated fees schedule.
What are the maximum fees notaries are allowed to charge?
By Colorado law, the maximum fee allowed for a notarization is $5 per document and includes:
Receiving evidence of the signer’s identity;
Administering an oath or affirmation (if applicable), and
Applying the signature, notarial certificate, and stamp of the notary to the document;
The maximum fee for an electronic notarization or remote notarization is $10.
If you charge for other services, you should itemize those separately.
Am I required to keep a journal in the State of Colorado?
Yes. Every notary public must keep a journal of every notarial act, with only one exception.
If the original, copy, or electronic record of the document includes all of the information that would be entered in your journal; and is kept by your firm or employer, then you do not have to maintain a journal.
However, recording every notarization in a journal is strongly recommended as the best practice.
What information should be recorded in my Journal?
You must record at the time of the notarization log
The date and time of the notarial act;
The type of notarial act (oath, affirmation, acknowledgement, etc.);
Description or title of record (deed, POA, etc.);
Name and address of each individual signer and witness;
Signature of signer and any witnesses;
If the identity of the signer is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect;
If the identity of the signer is based on “Satisfactory Evidence,” a brief description of the method of ID (credible witness or acceptable ID) and the type of ID presented, and
Fee charged, if any.
Remote notarizations only: indicate the provider used in your electronic journal along with the above information.
Requirements of stamps
Your notary stamp must be a rectangular ink stamp with a rectangular outline or border.
Your name as it appears exactly on your certificate,
The words "NOTARY PUBLIC",
The words "STATE OF COLORADO",
Your notary ID number, and
Your commission expiration date.
No other information can be placed within the border or outline.
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