How to Become a Notary in Colorado
If you’re looking to become a Colorado notary, our state-approved online course covers everything including your certificate. Learn about the course
As a Colorado Notary Training provider, one of the most frequent questions we receive is how to become a notary public. The process is straightforward and can be started and finished in under a week.
Eligibility Requirements
No. The state has eligibility requirements. If you do not meet them, your application will be rejected. You can become a Colorado notary if you:
- Are a resident of Colorado or have a place of employment or practice in the state
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Have never been convicted of a felony
- Have not been convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty in the past five years
- Can read and write English
- Have never had a notary commission revoked
For the full list with details on what counts as a disqualifying misdemeanor, see who can become a Colorado notary.
The Process in Brief
There are five steps from start to commissioned notary:
- Complete training from a state-approved provider. Our course takes about 2 to 3 hours.
- Pass the state exam on the SOS website. It is free, open book, and takes about 30 minutes.
- Apply online through the SOS portal. Upload your training certificate, exam certificate, affirmation form (notarized by another notary), and a copy of both sides of your ID. Pay the application fee.
- Wait for approval. The SOS processes most applications in 3 to 5 business days.
- Buy your stamp and journal. Once commissioned, purchase a notary stamp that includes your name, “Notary Public,” “State of Colorado,” and your expiration date. You also need a bound journal.
Colorado does not require a background check or fingerprinting to become a notary.
Costs
The main costs are your training course, the application fee (paid to the SOS), and your stamp and journal. The state exam is free. For a full breakdown, see how much it costs to become a notary in Colorado.
Training Makes It Easy
A good training provider walks you through the entire application process, not just the notary law. Our course covers the process in both video and written content. We provide direct links to the SOS website so you do not have to hunt for the right pages. We give you your training certificate as a PDF download, which means one fewer document to scan when you apply.
For the detailed step-by-step version with tips for each step, see our full guide to becoming a Colorado notary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a Colorado notary?
Training takes a few hours, the exam takes about 30 minutes, and the state processes applications in 3 to 5 business days. You can go from zero to commissioned in under a week.
Can a non-resident become a Colorado notary?
Yes, if you have a place of employment or practice in Colorado. You do not have to live in the state.
Is the Colorado notary exam hard?
It is open-book and covers material from the required training course and notary handbook. Most applicants pass on the first try after completing a good training course.
Do I need a background check to become a Colorado notary?
No. Colorado does not require fingerprinting or a background check for notary applicants.
What happens after I submit my application?
The Secretary of State reviews your documents and emails you when you are approved, typically within 3 to 5 business days. Then you order your stamp and start notarizing.
Ready to Become a Notary?
Our state-approved online course covers everything you need. Complete the training, pass the exam, get your commission.
