Do you need a bond to be a notary in Colorado?

No, not for a regular commission. Only remote online notaries need a bond, set at $25,000. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.

Is there an exam to become a Colorado notary?

Yes. You complete training and pass the state exam, and since July 2018 both new and renewing notaries must do so every four years.

How much does it cost to become a Colorado notary?

The state application fee is $10, and the training and exam are free through the Secretary of State, so supplies are often the main cost.

How much can a Colorado notary charge per act?

Colorado sets no statutory maximum, so you may charge a reasonable fee. State it before performing the act so the signer agrees.

How long does a Colorado notary commission last?

Four years. To renew you retake the training and exam and file a new application before the commission expires.

What It Takes to Become a Colorado Notary (2026): Training, Exam & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Colorado notary rules are set in C.R.S. 24-21-523 and can change, so confirm the details with the Colorado Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Colorado you must be 18 and live or work in the state. You complete a state-approved training course, which is free through the Secretary of State, and pass the Colorado notary exam, then apply online with a $10 fee. There is no bond. The commission lasts four years, but you retake the training and exam every cycle. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Colorado?

Becoming a Colorado notary can cost as little as $30 to $50, because there is no bond and the state training is free. The only fixed charge is the $10 application fee; the training and exam cost nothing through the Secretary of State, though paid providers exist. The rest is your stamp and the required journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Colorado?

You become a Colorado notary by training, passing the exam, and applying online. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18, lawfully present in the U.S., a Colorado resident or worker, able to read and write English, with no disqualifying convictions.
Complete the state-approved training. The Secretary of State offers the course free, and paid providers also qualify; keep your completion certificate.
Pass the Colorado notary exam. Take it online after training; your Colorado notary exam certificate must be dated within the last 90 days.
Apply online with the $10 fee. Upload your notarized Affirmation for Appointment, ID, and your training and exam certificates to the Secretary of State.
Get your stamp and journal. After approval, usually in a few business days, print your commission, then buy a rectangular stamp and a journal.

Do you have to pass an exam to become a Colorado notary?

Yes, Colorado requires you to complete training and pass the state notary exam, and since July 2018 both new and renewing notaries must do so every four-year cycle. That ongoing testing is unusual; many states only examine first-time applicants, while Colorado expects you to requalify at each renewal. The exam is taken online on your own computer after you finish the course, and you can prepare with our Colorado notary practice test before you sit it.

What are the requirements to become a Colorado notary?

The Colorado requirements pair education with a light application and no bond. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise lawfully present, and either a Colorado resident or someone with a place of employment in the state, able to read and write English. You complete training, pass the exam, and submit a notarized Affirmation for Appointment with the $10 fee. A rectangular stamp and a journal, on paper or electronic, are both required for every notarization.

How much can a Colorado notary charge?

Colorado does not set a statutory maximum fee, so a notary may charge a reasonable fee for each notarial act, which is different from states that cap the amount. Because there is no fixed limit, the best practice is to state your fee before you perform the notarization so the signer agrees in advance. Many Colorado notaries build their income through mobile work and signing services, where travel fees are charged separately from the notarial act itself.

How do you renew or notarize online in Colorado?

You renew online up to 90 days before your four-year commission expires, and Colorado requires you to retake the training and pass the exam again for each renewal, along with a new Affirmation and the $10 fee. To notarize remotely you must hold an active commission for at least six months, complete remote online notarization training, purchase a $25,000 RON bond, and use a state-approved provider that records the session for ten years.

Becoming a Colorado notary: frequently asked questions

Do you need a bond to be a notary in Colorado?: No, not for a regular commission. Only remote online notaries need a bond, set at $25,000. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.
Is there an exam to become a Colorado notary?: Yes. You complete training and pass the state exam, and since July 2018 both new and renewing notaries must do so every four years.
How much does it cost to become a Colorado notary?: The state application fee is $10, and the training and exam are free through the Secretary of State, so supplies are often the main cost.
How much can a Colorado notary charge per act?: Colorado sets no statutory maximum, so you may charge a reasonable fee. State it before performing the act so the signer agrees.
How long does a Colorado notary commission last?: Four years. To renew you retake the training and exam and file a new application before the commission expires.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program and Notary FAQ; Colorado Revised Statutes 24-21-523 and the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts. Confirm current fees and steps with the Colorado Secretary of State before applying.