How to Become a Signing Agent 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 

A notary signing agent is a commissioned notary who specializes in handling loan document signings for real estate transactions. In Colorado, the demand for signing agents has grown steadily, and the barrier to entry is lower than in many other states because Colorado does not require a surety bond. Here is how to get started.

Signing Agent vs. Regular Notary

A regular notary performs general notarial acts: acknowledgments, jurats, oaths. A signing agent does the same thing but focuses on mortgage and real estate documents. When someone buys a house, refinances, or takes out a home equity loan, a signing agent meets with the borrower to walk them through the paperwork, verify their identity, and notarize the required signatures.

Signing agents are hired by title companies, escrow companies, and signing services. You are an independent contractor, not an employee. You set your own schedule and decide how many signings you take on.

Step 1: Get Your Colorado Notary Commission

You cannot be a signing agent without first being a commissioned notary. Colorado requires:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Colorado resident or work in Colorado
• Be a US citizen or legal permanent resident
• Complete a state-approved notary training course
• Pass the Colorado notary exam
• Have no disqualifying criminal convictions (felonies or misdemeanors involving dishonesty)

Our Colorado notary training course covers the exam material and walks you through the application process. Most people complete the training and get commissioned within a few weeks.

Step 2: Get a Background Check

While Colorado does not require a background check for your notary commission itself, signing agent companies and title companies will require one. The industry standard is the NNA (National Notary Association) background screening.

The NNA background check covers:

• Criminal history (felony and misdemeanor)
• Sex offender registry
• Social Security number verification
• Address history

The screening costs around $50-$75 and needs to be renewed every year. Most signing services will not assign you work without a current background check on file.

Step 3: Get Signing Agent Certification

Certification is not legally required in Colorado, but most title companies and signing services will not work with uncertified agents. The three main certification options are:

• NNA Certified Signing Agent: The most widely recognized. Requires passing an online exam covering loan document knowledge and notary procedures. Costs around $200-$300 for the certification package (includes background check).
• Loan Signing System (LSS): A training and certification program focused on practical signing skills. Well regarded in the industry.
• Notary2Pro: Another certification program that provides training and mentorship for new signing agents.

The NNA certification is the safest choice if you are just starting out because more companies recognize it. You can always add other certifications later.

Step 4: Get Your Supplies

To work as a signing agent in Colorado, you need:

• Notary seal: Colorado requires a physical ink stamp with your name, “Notary Public,” “State of Colorado,” and your commission expiration date.
• Notary journal: Colorado requires a journal of notarial acts. A bound book with numbered pages is the standard.
• Dual-tray laser printer: Loan packages include legal-sized and letter-sized documents. A dual-tray printer (one tray for letter, one for legal) is essential for mobile signings.
• Reliable transportation: You will travel to borrowers’ homes, offices, and title companies.
• E&O insurance: Errors and omissions insurance protects you if you make a mistake. While Colorado does not require it, signing services often do. A $25,000 or $100,000 policy is standard.

Step 5: Sign Up With Signing Services

Signing services act as middlemen between you and title companies. When a title company needs a signing agent in your area, the signing service dispatches the job to available agents. To get started:

1. Create a profile on signing service platforms. Some of the larger ones include SigningOrder, Snapdocs, NotaryDash, and 123Notary.
2. Upload your commission, background check, certification, and E&O insurance documents.
3. Set your service area and availability.
4. Accept your first few signings to build your track record and ratings.

Expect to earn $75-$150 per signing at first. As you build experience and relationships with direct title company clients, fees can reach $150-$250 per signing. Experienced agents who work directly with title companies (bypassing signing services) earn the most.

Colorado-Specific Considerations

No bond requirement

Colorado is one of the few states that does not require notaries to post a surety bond. This lowers your startup costs compared to states like California, where a $15,000 bond is mandatory. However, E&O insurance is still strongly recommended.

Fee rules

Colorado’s fee cap is $15 per document attested for in-person notarizations, and $25 for the notary’s electronic signature (used in remote notarizations). For signing agents who are paid a flat fee by title companies or signing services, these caps generally do not apply because you are being paid for the overall signing service, not per individual document. The 2024 fee disclosure rules from the Secretary of State apply primarily to notaries charging individual customers directly.

Rural opportunity

Colorado has large rural areas where signing agents are scarce. If you live outside the Denver metro area, in places like Grand Junction, Durango, or Sterling, you may find less competition and higher demand. Some signing services pay premium fees for agents willing to cover remote areas.

Common Questions

How much do signing agents make in Colorado?

Income varies widely. Part-time agents doing 5-10 signings per month typically earn $500-$1,500 per month. Full-time agents who have built relationships with multiple title companies can earn $3,000-$6,000 per month. Your income depends on how many signings you accept, your fees, and whether you work through signing services or directly with title companies.

Do I need a separate license to be a signing agent?

No. A signing agent is still a notary. There is no separate state license for signing agents in Colorado. The certifications (NNA, LSS, Notary2Pro) are industry credentials, not government licenses.

Can I be a signing agent part-time?

Yes. Many signing agents start part-time while keeping their day job. Signings often happen in the evenings and on weekends when borrowers are available, which works well for people with daytime commitments.

What is the difference between a signing service and a title company?

A title company handles the closing and issues title insurance. A signing service is a dispatch company that connects signing agents with title companies that need agents in a specific area. Working directly with title companies pays more per signing, but signing services provide a steadier stream of work when you are starting out.

Can a real estate agent also be a signing agent in Colorado?

Yes, as long as you hold a valid notary commission. Some real estate agents add signing agent work as a supplemental income stream. Be aware of potential conflicts of interest if you are notarizing documents for your own real estate transactions or clients.