How to Become a Notary in Colorado

Choose from several Colorado notary training and learning resources:
1. Basic Colorado Notary Training (RULONA) to prepare for the Colorado Notary Exam
2. Notary History Blog, to learn how notary powers have changed since Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Medieval Europe, Spanish explorers, Colonial America, and Colorado Territory.

How to Become a Notary in Colorado

1. To become a notary, complete a state-approved Colorado Notary Training (RULONA) course, our notary training class: $40 tuition, or self-study notary training course: $40
2. Use our exam study guide, pass the online, open-book, multiple-choice Colorado Notary Exam, 40 questions, 80% score, no cost
3. Apply online to the Colorado Secretary of State (SOS), $10 application fee. Attach notarized affirmation, training course certificate, exam certificate.
4. Once approved by the SOS, purchase a notary rubber stamp (about $20) and a notary journal (about $20)
5. Recommended: purchase notary errors & omissions insurance, about $25/year for a $25,000 policy

1.0 Colorado Notary Training Schedule

1.1 Choose a Training Date and Method

For anyone: Scroll down to see our schedule of Colorado notary training classes in section 1.3.

For employers with multiple notary employees: Any day, by appointment, private teleconference to your location, 2 hrs, min 2 students

For anyone: Any day, no appointment, offline self-study basic training, at your own pace, notary exam preparation

We also provide customer support for our notary training students to help you become a notary or a better notary.
Just call us or send an email when you have a notary question. We do not give legal advice.

ABC Legal Docs, LLC at website abclegaldocs.com (trademark) was an approved notary training instructor by the Colorado Secretary of State, now retired.

1.2 Colorado Notary Training Minimum Class Size

Note: On site notary training classes, where we travel to teach a class, require 2 students minimum. If a minimum number of students do not register, the instructor Aug cancel or reschedule the class. Teleconference classes require only 1 student. Terms of cancellation, refund, and rescheduling are stated in Fee Schedule.

1.3 Colorado Notary Training (RULONA) Class Dates and Self-Study

Choose a scheduled notary training date, or choose self-study, then register in Section 2. For private notary training for your business, see Section 4.
For self-study, we will email the student booklet and handouts as PDF files. Study the information at your own pace, submit any questions by email, and pass a 5-question mini-quiz as evidence of learning. Then submit a copy of your photo ID and a Declaration of Course Completion to verify your identity.
For teleconference information, see Section 5. For the training course description, see Section 7.

Notice: Remote Online Notarization (RON) Legislation
In 2019, Colorado House Bill HB 19-1167, Remote Notaries Protect Privacy was proposed in the state legislature.
It was supported by Colorado Bar Association, Colorado Association of Realtors, Colorado Mortgage Lending Association, Land Title Association of Colorado Opposed by Notarize LLC
Status: Passed House on 4/3/2019 on 49-14 vote, then sent to Senate, passed Judiciary then Appropriations Committee on 4/26/2019 but was not voted on by Senate before the session adjourned.

In 2020, Colorado Senate Bill SB 20-96, Remote Notaries Protect Privacy was proposed in the state legislature on 1/14/2020.
Status: Passed Senate on 3/11/2020, revised for privacy protection, and passed House on 6/8/2020, approved by Senate and Governor, became effective on January 1, 2021.

On 3/16/2020, the Colorado General Assembly temporarily adjourned for two months until 5/26 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) emergency approval

On March 28, 2020, Governor Jared Polis signed an emergency order to temporarily suspend the requirement for a personal appearance before a notary and to allow remote online notarization in Colorado using two-way audio/video communication. The Secretary of State released detailed rules on March 30. Please check back often for Colorado notary news updates.

Federal SECURE notary law status: To increase notary choices for consumers and to reduce public health risk by social distancing by using Remote Online Notarization, the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic (SECURE) Notarization Act was introduced on March 18, 2020, has passed the House vote, and is pending Senate approval in the U.S. Congress.

> Notice: On July 1, 2018, the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) laws became effective. All Colorado notaries must know and follow the RULONA notary laws.

Notice: since July 1, 2018, our Colorado Notary Training course includes RULONA laws

Accessibility: Our training classes offered by live teleconference, webinar, or self-study include all necessary content in written PDF student handouts, and support by email, or text message, to enable sighted deaf and hard of hearing students to attend and participate. We use the Otter application, which quickly transcribes spoken words into printed text for reading by students.

Notice: Final class before retirement was July 31, 2025. No more classes.

2. Register and Pay Online

[this section removed, retired from notary training]

Contract Acceptance: If you use our website, blog, or content, order or purchase or use our products or services, schedule an appointment to use our services, or attend a class, you agree to the Fee Schedule, Terms of Use, and Document Services Agreement PDF [new window] on our website, which are subject to change at any time.

3. Classroom Notary Training

To eliminate travel, save driving time, and welcome students from the entire state, our classes are now all held by teleconference, not in a classroom.

4. Private Notary Training

We offer private notary training classes to your location by live teleconference, for banks, credit unions, financial services, insurance agents, attorneys, law firms, paralegals, law enforcement, and other businesses, schools, colleges, or government agencies that employ notaries.

You choose the date and time and provide the training room for your employees. No special equipment is required, other than a speakerphone. We email the student materials as PDF files, teach the training class, and answer student questions. Price includes tuition, a 36-page student booklet, notary exam study guide, and a training completion certificate.

Students must register online before the training date. Students can pay separately online, or we can send you a group invoice. Payment is due within 10 days. You agree to our Fee Schedule and Terms of Use.

5. Teleconference Notary Training

Choose notary training by teleconference to eliminate travel time, rain, snow, ice, traffic, and bad road conditions. See our Colorado Notary Training Class Dates above.

You will call the teleconference phone number and use the access code that we provide. It is not a toll-free number. You are responsible for any long-distance charges or billable minutes that apply to your phone call. You may wish to use a landline, cell phone, or VOIP plan with unlimited minutes.

Accessibility: If you have a hearing impairment, you can communicate with us visually by using email, or text message. We do not read the entire course material to students in class. Students need to read the material to learn the content and can complete the course by self-study without needing a live instructor. We also use the Otter application that quickly transcribes our spoken words into printed text for reading by students.

Student booklets will be provided as password-protected PDF files before training. One copy may be printed for each paying student. We will follow the student booklet page numbers during class.

Colorado RULONA Notary Training Guide PDF Download 1, Colorado Notary Training booklet RULONA [password required]

…

Colorado RULONA Notary Exam Study Guide PDF Download 2, Colorado Notary Exam study guide RULONA [password required]

Colorado RULONA Notary Law Changes PDF, July 1, 2018, Download 3, [no password required]

Colorado Senate Bill 23-153 Notary Law Changes PDF, May 17, 2023, Download 4, [no password required]

Colorado SOS Proposed New Rule 2.4 Itemized Notary Fees and Invoices
(1) inform a customer, before performing a notarial act, of any service that is an additional charge to the notarial act and
(2) provide an itemized invoice of each specific charge. Failing to do so will lead to the presumption that the amount charged is solely for the notarial act.
If that charge exceeds the statutory limit, it is presumptive evidence of a violation of RULONA.

© Copyright ABC Legal Docs, LLC All Rights Reserved.
Our Colorado notary training class presentation and materials are protected by federal copyright laws.
Audio or video recording is prohibited. DO NOT COPY training materials.

Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader version 9.0 or later is required to open the PDF file. AES-256 encryption
If needed, you can download the latest version of Acrobat Reader at https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Training class completion certificates will be sent by email after the class.
Students will need to send a legible copy of their photo ID by email.
Make a copy of your ID on a copy machine and lighten the copy settings so that it is clearly legible. For security, cross out your ID number except for the last four digits. Then email a clear copy. If we cannot read the copy of your ID, you will have to send it again.

6. Offline Self-Study

Choose offline notary training if you prefer self-study at your own pace, at any time that is convenient for your schedule.

Our Basic Colorado Notary Training self-study course includes everything you need to pass the open-book Colorado Notary Exam.

7.0 Notary Training Courses, Become a Notary, Renew Your Notary Commission

7.1 Basic Colorado Notary Training

7.2 Training Course Summary

Our Basic Colorado Notary Training course will prepare you to become a notary or to renew your notary commission and take the online Colorado Notary Exam.

No prior legal background is required. Notaries do not give legal advice or draft legal documents.

7.3 Training Course Description

All students receive a 36-page Colorado notary training booklet, which serves as a valuable notary reference guide for daily notary work, as well as learning notary procedures, and useful notary tips. Students also receive a 4-page Colorado notary exam study guide to prepare for the online, open-book notary exam, to become a notary, or to renew their notary commission.

Students will learn basic Colorado Notary law and how to apply to become a Colorado Notary or to renew a commission. Current, expired, and renewing Notaries will benefit from the review and tips for avoiding common mistakes and problems. Marketing ideas will show how a mobile Notary or Notary Signing Agent can become a notary, work from home to earn a part-time income, or build a business or career.

Students must present a current driver’s license or photo ID before class. Students will receive a Certificate of Course Completion upon successful completion of the notary training.

7.4 Training Course Audience

Independent notaries, attorneys, law firms, paralegals, court reporters, accountants, tax preparers, secretaries, clerks, office managers, health care, elder care, medical clinics, financial advisors, insurance agents, real estate agents, contractors, car dealers, law enforcement, legal process servers, human resources, mailing services, hotels, apartments, banks, lenders, title companies, school employees, government employees.

Demand is increasing, as the Colorado population grows, and more people need notaries for estate planning, medical, real estate, loans, business, and other legal documents.

7.5 Notary Exam and Application

After the Notary training class, to become a notary, students must also pass the “open book” online Colorado Notary Exam and save their exam completion certificate to submit with their notary application and affirmation. Print out the affirmation form and have it notarized. Then scan it to create a PDF file. Follow the instructions for electronic filing of your application. (Paper documents are no longer accepted after Dec. 16th, 2013.)

Fill out your notary application form online, pay the application fee online, and attach the required documents. Once you submit your documents online to become a notary, you should normally receive a reply from the SOS within a few business days, approving your notary commission. Once you know your expiration date, you can order a notary stamp.

8. Notary Supplies

Order your Notary supplies and equipment, such as business cards, a Notary journal, a rubber stamp, an inkless thumb printer pad, inkjet and laser printer toner cartridges, office supplies, and Notary books from our Notary Supplies page.

We recommend the Colorado notary journal sold by the American Association of Notaries (AAN) in Houston, TX.

9. About your Colorado Notary Training instructor

Jerry Lucas is an experienced Colorado Springs Notary Public, a past member of the National Notary Association (NNA), a current member of the American Association of Notaries (AAN), and CEO of ABC Legal Docs, LLC.

He is an experienced instructor and has taught several subjects for Colorado Free University in Denver, Colorado Springs School District 11 Community Education, the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado, and the Colorado Springs Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

He attended the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Colorado. He is a former computer design engineer. He is a graduate of Leadership Pikes Peak and has served as a volunteer officer and board member for several organizations, including the Colorado Springs Police Department.

10. Notary History Blog

There have been notaries and scribes since writing began 5,000 years ago. Our Notary History Blog provides interesting stories and educational information about notary history including Ancient Sumer, Phoenicia, China, India, Minoa, Maya, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Tiro the Notary, notaries and the Church, royal notaries, the Middle Ages, Knights Templar, Spanish Conquistadors, French expeditions, colonial notaries in New England, New Netherland, New Sweden, the fur trade, Colorado Territorial notaries, Indian tribal notaries, and more, up to modern-day electronic notaries and remote online notaries.

11. Questions?

Please see Contact Us page and send an email with any questions.

[Last-Modified Date 2025-08-16] final notary class was July 31, 2025, retired, removed class schedule and payment methods

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