Contents
Applying and Renewing
General Questions
Notary Seals and Journals
Online Access and Electronic Filing
Powers and Duties

 

General Questions

Q1. What is a notary public?

A1.  A notary public is a person commissioned to serve the public as a neutral witness.  A notary performs notarial acts that are allowed or required by law.

A notary is a verifier, an authenticator, an impartial agent for the state, a public recorder of acts, an unbiased, official witness, and a state officer.

 

Q2. Who can become a notary public?

A2.  In Colorado, you can become a notary public if you:

• Are a resident of Colorado.
• Are eighteen (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 the English language.
• Have never had a notary commission revoked.

 

Q3. Do I need to be bonded?

A3.  No.  A notary is not required to be bonded in Colorado.

 

Q4. What fees can a notary legally charge?

A4.  By Colorado law, the maximum fee allowed for a notarization is $5 and shall include:

• Receiving evidence of the signer’s identity.
• Administering an oath or affirmation (if applicable).
• Applying the signature, notarial certificate, and seal of the notary to the document.

The maximum fee for an electronic notarization is $10.

 

Q5. What is my notary ID?

A5.  Your notary ID is an 11-digit number assigned to you when you become a notary.  The ID is printed on your certificate below the date it was issued.

 

Q6. Where can I find my commission expiration date?

A6.  Your commission expiration date is on your Notary Commission Certificate. If you have lost or misplaced your Notary Commission Certificate, you can get a duplicate copy (see FAQ Q7, below). You can also search for your name under "Verify a Notary" on the Notary home page to find your expiration date.

 

Q7. How do I get a replacement copy of my Notary Commission Certificate?

A7.  You can log in using your notary ID and password and print your official certificate.  If you don't have a notary ID and password, you can register for online access.

You can also send a letter requesting a replacement copy of your Notary Commission Certificate to:

Colorado Secretary of State
1700 Broadway Suite 200
Denver, CO 80290.

 

Q8. Where can I report illegal, improper, or questionable acts by a notary public?

A8.  Any illegal, improper, or questionable acts by a notary public should be reported in writing to:

Colorado Secretary of State
1700 Broadway, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80290

You can also send an e-mail to notary@sos.state.co.us.

You can use the Notary complaint form (PDF) to file a complaint.

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Q9. What do I do if my name and/or signature change?

A9.  By law, you must send a letter and a sample of your handwritten official signature to the Secretary of State within 30 days after you make any changes to your name. A copy of an acceptable ID that shows your new name is required.

To file a name change electronically, register for online access, then log in using your notary ID and password. The online program will provide a form for you to sign with your old and new signatures. You can also use the change form available on the Notary Forms page.

 

Q10. What do I do if my address or telephone number changes?

A10.  By law, you must notify the Secretary of State within 30 days after any change to your business or residence address. In the case of a home address change, a new Notary Commission Certificate reflecting the change will be sent to you or made available for printing if filed electronically. Your work or business address does not appear on the certificate.

To file a change of address electronically, register for online access then log in using your notary ID and password. A notary change form is also available on the Notary Forms page.

 

Q11. What happens if I move out of state during my term?

A11.  If you no longer live or work in Colorado, send or deliver the following to the Secretary of State:

• A signed letter of resignation,
• Your journal of notarial acts,
• Any other papers and copies relating to your notarial acts, and
• Your notary seal.

Your commission will then no longer be in effect.

 

Q12. What do I do if I no longer want to be a notary or if I need to resign my commission?

A12.  If you want or need to resign your commission, send or deliver the following to the Secretary of State:

• A signed letter of resignation,
• Your journal of notarial acts,
• Any other papers and copies relating to your notarial acts, and
• Your notary seal.

Your commission will then no longer be in effect.

You can also use the Notary Public Resignation Form (PDF).

 

Q13. What do I do with my seal and journal when I am no longer a commissioned notary?

A13.  Send or deliver your seal and journal to the Secretary of State.

 

Q14. What is an Apostille?

A14. An Apostille is a certificate issued by the Secretary of State that proves the authenticity of a notary's signature and seal. An Apostille is proof of authentication for notarized documents in countries that abide by the Hague Convention.  See the Apostilles and Authentications page for more information.

 

Q15. What if the country my notarized document is going to does not abide by the Hague Convention?

A15.  The Secretary of State will issue a certificate of magistracy in place of an Apostille.

 

Q16.  How is a U.S. notary public different from a notario publico?

A16.  A U.S. notary is not the same as a Latin notario publico. In Latin America, a notario publico is a high-ranking official and must be an attorney. Unlike a notario publico, a U.S. notary is forbidden from preparing legal documents or giving advice on immigration or other matters, unless he/she is also an attorney.

 

Q17. What is electronic notarization?

A17.  An e-notarization is a document in electronic format that is signed and notarized electronically, then filed or transmitted electronically to its intended destination. They may be used in transactions between private parties who agree to it (such as a contract that is notarized and then e-mailed between the parties).

Electronic notarization does not mean remote notarization. As with all notarizations, the signer must appear in the physical presence of the notary.

Additional information about electronic notarization.

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