Colorado Notary Application Denial

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No one wants their Colorado notary application to be rejected by the Secretary of State’s office. A denied application means more work correcting errors, and possibly some embarrassment if you told people you were becoming a notary. We want to help you avoid the hassle, so we compiled a list of the most common rejection reasons below. Knowing these can help you get it right the first time.

Common Reasons for Application Denial

The online application system has reduced some of these errors (it prompts you for required documents), but people still get rejected regularly. Here are the reasons we see most often:

Missing copy of identification

The online application requires you to upload a copy of both sides of your ID. If you forget, or if the copy is too blurry to read, the SOS will reject it. Scan or photograph your ID clearly before you start the application.

Application form not notarized

Even with the online process, there is still an affirmation form that you must print out, sign in front of a current notary public, and upload. Many people skip this step or sign it before finding a notary. Do not sign it until you are in front of the notary. They must witness your signature.

Signature and printed name mismatch

The state requires that your official signature be consistent, but it does not have to be an exact match to your legal name. For example, if your legal name is John Alan Doe, you can sign “JA Doe.” If your legal name is Catherine Smith, you can sign “Cathy Smith.” The same applies to the notary who notarizes your affirmation form. If the names do not match what is on file, the SOS will reject the application. (Source)

Incomplete or inaccurate information

Double-check every field before submitting. Wrong dates, misspelled names, and incomplete sections all trigger rejections. The SOS does not fix errors for you. They send it back and you have to resubmit.

Address inconsistency

If the address on your application does not match the address on your ID or other documents, the SOS may reject it. Use the same address consistently across everything you submit.

Not meeting eligibility requirements

If you have a felony conviction, a misdemeanor involving dishonesty within the past five years, or a previously revoked notary commission, the SOS will deny your application. Check the eligibility requirements before you start the process.

What to Do If You Are Denied

If the SOS denies your application, you will receive a written explanation of the reason. You have 90 days from your original payment to correct the issue and resubmit. After 90 days, you must start over with a new application and pay the fee again.

The fix is usually straightforward: upload the missing document, fix the name mismatch, or get the affirmation properly notarized. Read the rejection letter carefully, fix exactly what they asked for, and resubmit.

We cover all of these rejection reasons in detail in our Colorado Notary Training Course, along with tips for getting your application right the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would my Colorado notary application be denied?

Common reasons: missing ID copy, unsigned or improperly notarized affirmation, name mismatches, incomplete forms, or not meeting eligibility requirements like felony convictions.

Can I reapply if my application is denied?

Yes. You have 90 days from your original payment to correct the issues and resubmit. After 90 days you must start over with a new payment.

Does my signature need to match my legal name exactly?

Your signature must be consistent but does not have to exactly match. “Catherine Smith” can sign “Cathy Smith.” The key is consistency across documents.

What if my address changes after I apply?

Update your address through your notary account on the SOS website. Keeping your information current is your responsibility as a commissioned notary.

How do I avoid the most common rejection reasons?

Have all documents scanned and ready before starting the application. Double-check names, signatures, and make sure your affirmation is properly notarized by another notary who watches you sign it.