Requirements to Become a Notary Public in Colorado

Q: What if my application gets rejected?

Common reasons include name not matching your ID, expired ID, blank or wrong affirmation form, or notary stamp issues. You have 90 days to correct and resubmit.

If you’re looking to become a Colorado notary, our state-approved online course covers everything including your certificate. Learn about the course

Key Takeaways

You must be 18 or older, a US citizen or legal resident, and a Colorado resident or employed in the state
No felony convictions allowed; no misdemeanors involving dishonesty in the past five years (C.R.S. § 24-21-523)
You need to complete approved training and pass the Colorado notary exam before applying
You need to complete approved training and pass the Colorado notary exam before applying
Application is done online; processing takes 3 to 5 business days

Can anyone be a notary? Are there qualifications to be a notary? Potential students of our online Colorado notary class who want to know how to get a notary license often reach out to us to ask about the requirements to become a Colorado notary public. They don’t want their application denied for not meeting one of them.

There are two kinds of requirements: qualifying requirements (things about you) and administrative requirements (things you must do). Let’s walk through both.

Qualifying Requirements

The state of Colorado has specific qualifying requirements for notaries public because a notary public is appointed by the Secretary of State. Under C.R.S. § 24-21-523, you must meet all of the following:

Age: You must be at least 18 years old
Citizenship: You must be a US citizen, permanent legal resident, or otherwise lawfully present in the United States
Residency: You must be a resident of Colorado or have a place of employment or practice in the state
Language: You must be able to read and write English
Criminal record: You must not have any felony convictions, and no misdemeanor convictions involving dishonesty in the past five years
Commission history: You must never have had a notary commission revoked

Administrative Requirements

Once you confirm you meet the qualifying requirements, here’s what you need to do to get your commission:

1. Complete approved notary training

Colorado requires all new notaries to complete a state-approved training course before taking the exam. Our state-approved online Colorado notary course satisfies this requirement and prepares you for the state exam.

2. Pass the Colorado notary exam

After completing training, you must pass the state notary exam. The exam is administered online by the CO Secretary of State. Our course prepares you for it.

3. Submit your application online

Apply online through the CO SOS website. You’ll need to upload scanned copies of:

A signed and notarized Affirmation form
Both sides of acceptable identification (Colorado driver’s license, US passport, etc.)
Your training certificate
Your exam certificate
Permanent resident card or visa (if not a US citizen)

The filing fee is paid online by credit or debit card. Check the CO SOS fee schedule for the current amount.

4. Receive your commission

Applications are typically processed within 3 to 5 business days. Once approved, you’ll receive an email notification and can log in to print your Notary Commission Certificate.

5. Get your supplies

Before you start notarizing, you need:

An official notary stamp must meet Colorado specifications
A notary journal for recording all notarizations

You can start notarizing documents as soon as you receive your approval email and have your stamp and journal.

Felony Convictions and Disqualifications

No. Colorado law (C.R.S. § 24-21-523) specifically disqualifies anyone with a felony conviction from receiving a notary commission. A misdemeanor involving dishonesty in the past five years will also disqualify you.

Renewing Your Commission

Colorado notary commissions last four years. You can renew up to 90 days before your expiration date. Renewal requires completing training and passing the exam again, same as a new commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a non-US citizen become a Colorado notary?

Yes, if you are a permanent legal resident or otherwise lawfully present in the US. You’ll need to provide a copy of your permanent resident card or visa with your application.

Do I need to live in Colorado?

Not necessarily. You can qualify if you live in Colorado or if you have a place of employment or practice in the state. A Texas resident who works in Denver can apply.

How long does the application process take?

The Secretary of State processes most applications within 3 to 5 business days. If your application is rejected, you have 90 days to fix the issue and resubmit without paying again.

What if my application gets rejected?

Common reasons include: name doesn’t match your ID, ID is expired, blank or wrong affirmation form, or notary stamp issues on the affirmation. Double-check everything before submitting. You have 90 days to correct and resubmit.

Is there a background check?

Colorado doesn’t require a separate background check for the notary application, but you must attest under penalty of perjury that you meet the criminal history requirements in C.R.S. § 24-21-523.

Requirements to Become a Notary Public in Colorado (2026)

Key Takeaways

Qualifying Requirements