Colorado Notary Fees: How Much You Can Charge in 2026
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Colorado sets maximum fees that notaries can charge for notarial acts, and as of April 2024, there are new disclosure rules you need to follow. This guide covers the current fee limits, the itemization requirements, and what happens if you overcharge.
Maximum Fees Under Colorado Law
Under CRS 24-21-529, Colorado caps what notaries can charge:
| Notarial Act | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Any notarization (in-person) | $15 per document attested |
| Electronic signature (RON) | $25 for the notary’s electronic signature |
These are maximums. You can charge less or nothing at all. Many notaries who work for employers do not charge individual signers directly because the employer pays their salary.
The 2024 Fee Disclosure Rules
In April 2024, the Colorado Secretary of State adopted new administrative rules that changed how notaries must handle fees. These rules affect every Colorado notary who charges for services, including those who work in retail settings like postal stores.
What the rules require
The disclosure rules have two parts:
- Upfront disclosure: Before performing the notarial act, you must tell the customer (verbally or in writing) what fees you will charge. This includes the notarial fee plus any ancillary charges like travel fees or document preparation fees.
- Written itemization: After the notarization, you must give the customer a written document that lists each fee separately. This can be a receipt, invoice, closing statement, or transaction summary.
If you do not charge a fee for the notarial act itself, the itemized document must show $0.00 for that line item. Any other charges, like travel, still need to be listed.
Why these rules exist
The Secretary of State’s office received complaints about notaries charging more than the statutory maximum. Some notaries were bundling fees in ways that made it hard for customers to tell what they were paying for. The new rules create a paper trail so that any fee dispute can be resolved by looking at the itemized document.
What happens if you do not comply
If you fail to provide the itemized document, the total amount you charged will be presumed to exceed the statutory maximum. That means the Secretary of State could take administrative action against your commission, even if you actually charged within the legal limit. The burden of proof shifts to you, and without the documentation, you have no defense.
Signing Agents and Third-Party Payments
The fee disclosure rules apply to notaries who charge customers directly for general notary work. Notary signing agents who are paid by title companies, lenders, or signing services to handle loan closings are handled differently. Because the signing agent’s fee comes from a third party, not from the signer, the itemization requirement does not apply in the same way.
That said, signing agents should still keep clear records of what they are paid per signing and by whom.
Travel Fees and Ancillary Charges
Colorado allows notaries to charge travel fees on top of the notarial fee. Travel fees are not regulated by the Secretary of State, meaning there is no statutory cap. However, best practices include:
- Telling the customer the travel fee before you travel
- Agreeing on the amount in advance
- Listing the travel fee as a separate line item on the written itemization
Other ancillary fees that Colorado notaries sometimes charge include after-hours fees, printing fees for mobile notary work, and document preparation fees (where legally permitted). All of these must be disclosed upfront and itemized on the written document.
Charging for Non-Notary Services
Notaries sometimes offer services that are not notarial acts, such as printing documents, faxing, or loan signing facilitation. These services are not subject to the statutory fee caps because they are separate from the notarial act itself. However, the 2024 disclosure rules still require you to list these charges on the itemized document so the customer can see the breakdown.
What Free Notary Service Means
Many banks, credit unions, and libraries offer free notary services to their customers or members. If you work for an employer that offers free notarizations, you are not required to charge. The fee limits are ceilings, not floors.
If you are building a notary business, you need to decide whether to charge the maximum or something less. In competitive markets like Denver or Colorado Springs, some notaries charge below the maximum to attract clients. Others charge the full amount and compete on convenience or specialization.
Penalties for Overcharging
Overcharging for a notarial act is a violation under Colorado’s notary statutes. Consequences can include:
- Administrative action against your commission by the Secretary of State
- Suspension or revocation of your notary commission
- Refund obligations to the overcharged customer
Colorado takes fee violations seriously because notaries are public officials. Charging above the maximum undermines public trust and can result in complaints to the Secretary of State’s office.
Practical Tips for Fee Compliance
- Keep a fee schedule posted at your notary station or available on your phone to show customers.
- Create a simple receipt template with line items for each notarial act, travel, and any other charges.
- Tell every customer what they will owe before you start the notarization.
- Write $0.00 on the receipt if you are not charging for the notarial act but are charging for travel or other services.
- Save copies of your receipts for your own records.
Common Questions
Can I charge more than $15 for an acknowledgment if the document is complicated?
No. The $15 cap applies regardless of the document’s complexity or the time it takes. If you feel the work warrants more compensation, you can charge ancillary fees for things like travel or printing, but the notarial act fee itself cannot exceed $15.
Do I need to itemize fees if I only charge one flat rate?
Yes. Even if you charge a single flat rate, the 2024 rules require you to break it down on the written document. Show the notarial fee, travel fee, and any other charges as separate line items so the customer can see exactly what they are paying for.
What if the customer refuses the itemized receipt?
You should still provide it. The rule says you must “provide” the document, not that the customer must accept it. Hand it to them, and if they decline, note that in your records. What matters is that you made it available.
Are electronic receipts acceptable for the itemization requirement?
The rules do not specify that the itemization must be on paper. An email receipt or digital invoice should satisfy the requirement as long as it lists each fee separately. Use your judgment based on what the customer can access.
Does Colorado require notaries to charge a fee?
No. Charging is optional. You can perform notarial acts for free. Many notaries who work at banks, offices, or government agencies do not charge individual signers because their employer covers their compensation.
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