{"id":140,"date":"2013-11-24T20:15:02","date_gmt":"2013-11-25T03:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/?p=140"},"modified":"2025-12-03T18:43:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T01:43:52","slug":"declining-refusing-notary-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Declining or Refusing Notary Service"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Declining_or_Refusing_Notary_Service\" >Declining or Refusing Notary Service<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Potential_Reasons_for_Declining_or_Refusing_Notary_Service\" >Potential Reasons for Declining or Refusing Notary Service<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Lack_of_Identification\" >Lack of Identification<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Lack_of_Awareness\" >Lack of Awareness<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Under_the_Influence_of_Drugs_Alcohol_Emotions\" >Under the Influence of Drugs, Alcohol, Emotions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Willingness\" >Willingness<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Foreign_Language\" >Foreign Language<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Blank_Spaces\" >Blank Spaces<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Missing_or_Non-Compliant_Notarial_Certificate\" >Missing or Non-Compliant Notarial Certificate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Unavailable\" >Unavailable<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Special_Knowledge_Authorization_or_Technology_Needed\" >Special Knowledge, Authorization or Technology Needed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Unable_to_Pay\" >Unable to Pay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Illegal_Fraudulent_Suspicious_Defective_or_Unauthorized_Act\" >Illegal, Fraudulent, Suspicious, Defective or Unauthorized Act<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Unconstitutional\" >Unconstitutional<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Interfering_with_Bribing_or_Influencing_a_Public_Official\" >Interfering with, Bribing\u00a0or Influencing a\u00a0Public Official<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Disqualifying_Interest\" >Disqualifying Interest<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Disruptive_Customer\" >Disruptive Customer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Health_Safety_and_Security_Issues\" >Health, Safety and Security\u00a0Issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Non-Customers\" >Non-Customers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Model_Notary_Act\" >Model Notary Act<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/declining-refusing-notary-service\/#Colorado_Civil_Rights_Anti-Discrimination_Laws\" >Colorado Civil Rights Anti-Discrimination Laws<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Declining_or_Refusing_Notary_Service\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"size-full wp-image-8224 alignleft\" src=\"data:image\/gif,GIF89a%01%00%01%00%80%00%00%00%00%00%FF%FF%FF%21%F9%04%01%00%00%00%00%2C%00%00%00%00%01%00%01%00%00%02%01D%00%3B\" data-layzr=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/wp-content\/uploads\/notary-decline-or-refuse-service-320x200-1.jpg\" alt=\"notary decline or refuse service\" width=\"320\" height=\"200\" \/>Declining or Refusing Notary Service<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Under <strong>Colorado notary law<\/strong>, CRS 24-21-508, a <strong>notary<\/strong> may decline or refuse to perform a notarial act unless refusal is otherwise prohibited by law.\u00a0 When refusing notary service, the notary should not <strong>discriminate<\/strong>, <strong>decline<\/strong> or <strong>refuse<\/strong> a reasonable and lawful notary request.\u00a0 Notaries are commissioned to serve all of the public.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">But, there may be a <strong>legitimate reason<\/strong> for refusing notary service.\u00a0 As a best practice, notaries should make an entry in the notary journal when refusing notary service. This can be evidence that the notary is using <strong>reasonable care<\/strong> to prevent improper acts. Some of the reasons for refusing notary service are:<!--more--><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Potential_Reasons_for_Declining_or_Refusing_Notary_Service\"><\/span>Potential Reasons for Declining or Refusing Notary Service<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lack_of_Identification\"><\/span>Lack of Identification<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1.\u00a0 If the customer cannot provide satisfactory evidence of <strong>identification<\/strong>, as defined by Colorado law.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lack_of_Awareness\"><\/span>Lack of Awareness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2.\u00a0 If a customer lacks adequate <strong>mental capacity<\/strong>, due to <strong>mental impairment<\/strong>, such as a stroke, dementia, Alzheimer\u2019s, brain injury, brain disease, or low IQ, or has been found to be <strong>mentally incompetent<\/strong> by a medical professional or court ruling.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A notary should use <strong>reasonable care<\/strong> to assess the customer&#8217;s <strong>awareness<\/strong>, mental capacity, and basic understanding of the document.\u00a0 The customer should be alert, able to carry on a conversation, provide cohesive answers to questions, and demonstrate that they <strong>understand<\/strong> the purpose of the document. A drowsy or sedated person may need rest or awakening time before signing.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Under_the_Influence_of_Drugs_Alcohol_Emotions\"><\/span>Under the Influence of Drugs, Alcohol, Emotions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">3.\u00a0 If a customer appears to be under the influence of <strong>drugs, alcohol<\/strong>, anger, strong emotions, or stress, to an extent that impairs their awareness, judgment, reasoning, or understanding.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Willingness\"><\/span>Willingness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">4.\u00a0 If it appears that a customer is not <strong>signing willingly<\/strong> due to pressure, threat, manipulation, indoctrination, brainwashing, extortion, coercion, or <strong>duress<\/strong>.\u00a0 If other people are present and trying to wrongly influence the signer, the notary may ask the other people to leave until the customer can make a decision without <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/coercion-duress-undue-influence-notarizing\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">undue influence<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Foreign_Language\"><\/span>Foreign Language<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">5.\u00a0 If the customer speaks a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/foreign-language-notary-guide\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">foreign language<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and is unable to communicate directly with the notary, without using a translator, the notary may decline or refer the customer to a notary that speaks the foreign language.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Blank_Spaces\"><\/span>Blank Spaces<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">6.\u00a0 If the document has <strong>blank spaces<\/strong> to be completed before notarizing, missing pages or attachments, or is incomplete.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Missing_or_Non-Compliant_Notarial_Certificate\"><\/span>Missing or Non-Compliant Notarial Certificate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">7. If the document is missing a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/notary-certificate\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">notarial certificate<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or the attached certificate does not comply with Colorado notary law and the customer is unable to decide the type of notarial certificate to attach.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Or, the notarial certificate requires the notary to swear an oath or affidavit, certify facts such as notary status, or a signer&#8217;s marital or familial status, proof of life, or employment status, title or position with a certain business or agency, or that the document, signer or business meets certain legal requirements, or that the notary has verified or copied someone&#8217;s identification, or the certificate includes or requests non-mandatory information or is otherwise not compliant with Colorado notary law.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The following forms do not include a Colorado compliant notarial certificate:<br \/>\nU.S. Department of State form <strong>DS-10<\/strong>,\u00a0 Birth Affidavit for Passport Applicant<br \/>\nU.S. Department of State form <strong>DS-3053<\/strong>, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Child<br \/>\nUSCIS <strong>Form I-9<\/strong>, Employment Eligibility Verification<br \/>\n<strong>IdenTrust<\/strong> application ID form for medium assurance level digital certificate<br \/>\n<strong>Proof of life<\/strong> certificates from pension and annuity plans<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unavailable\"><\/span>Unavailable<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">8.\u00a0 If a request to notarize is for a time when the notary is <strong>closed for business<\/strong> or <strong>unavailable<\/strong>, or the requested signing location is outside of a mobile notary&#8217;s <strong>service area<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0A mobile notary may also decline due to bad weather, hazard, <strong>unsafe<\/strong>, unhealthy or unsanitary conditions, risk of disease, risk of crime, unrestrained pets, etc.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">If a request is for multiple, long, or complicated documents, and will cause delays for other waiting customers or appointments, the notary may process some of the documents, and ask the customer to reschedule another time to process the remaining documents.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Special_Knowledge_Authorization_or_Technology_Needed\"><\/span>Special Knowledge, Authorization or Technology Needed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">9.\u00a0 If the request is for an advanced, unusual, complicated, remote, or online transaction that requires <strong>special knowledge<\/strong>, <strong>training,<\/strong> or <strong>technology<\/strong> that the notary does not have. Or, the law or workplace policy does not authorize the notary to notarize a particular type of document. Some notarial acts are lawful in one state or country, but unlawful in another state or country.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Remote online notarization<\/strong> requires the customer and the notary to have a computer or smartphone, an internet connection, the required software, the technical knowledge to use the technology and the application, and a secure system to protect against unauthorized access and malware.\u00a0 It is not the role of the notary to train computer users or provide tech support.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unable_to_Pay\"><\/span>Unable to Pay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">10. \u00a0If the customer is <strong>unwilling<\/strong> or<strong> unable to pay<\/strong> the notary fee or travel fee.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Illegal_Fraudulent_Suspicious_Defective_or_Unauthorized_Act\"><\/span>Illegal, Fraudulent, Suspicious, Defective or Unauthorized Act<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">11.\u00a0 If the notary knows or has a <strong>reasonable suspicion<\/strong> that can be articulated, that the customer behavior, notarial act, certificate, procedure, document, or the associated transaction is suspicious, <strong>illegal<\/strong>, non-compliant, defective, dishonest, deceptive, <strong>false<\/strong>, improper, <strong>fraudulent<\/strong>, or <strong>unauthorized<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Under the\u00a0<strong>law of agency<\/strong>, certain acts involving personal duties, including sworn statements, must be done personally by the principal and may not be delegated to an agent under a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/how-to-notarize-a-power-of-attorney-in-colorado\/\">power of attorney<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A request for service may be suspicious if it has been declined by another notary or if the customer is offering to pay a higher fee for mobile notary service when they are mobile and could choose to use free notary service at their bank, or lower-priced service at a walk-in notary location.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Defective, non-compliant, or obsolete documents might be old, expired versions of forms, self-prepared homemade documents, pro se documents, documents containing errors, omissions, or compliance violations, or documents prepared by a business, organization, agency, or person who is apparently not trained, knowledgeable, experienced, qualified, certified or properly licensed to prepare legal documents.<\/p>\n<p>Any correction to the document should be made by striking out the incorrect information with a single horizontal line and writing in the correct information, initials, and date.\u00a0 Corrections may not be made using correction tape or correction fluid.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">[See <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/best-practices-notary-public-code-of-professional-responsibility\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Notary Code of Professional Responsibility<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Section IV-E-2, <strong>Improper Transaction<\/strong>.]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">If the notary knows or has a reasonable belief that the notarial act or the associated transaction is <strong>unlawful<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">[See <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/model-notary-act\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Model Notary Act<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Section 5-6(b)(1), <strong>Refusal to Notarize<\/strong>]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Illegal acts include acts <strong>against public policy<\/strong>, that are in violation of, or promote a breach of federal, state or local laws or regulations, or case law from court rulings, or tend to harm the country, state or its citizens.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Note: starting July 1, 2018, under RULONA laws, the Colorado SOS will not certify notarial acts on records: (I) regarding <strong>allegiance<\/strong> to a government or jurisdiction;\u00a0(II) relating to the relinquishment or renunciation of citizenship, <strong>sovereignty<\/strong>, in itinere status or world service authority; or\u00a0(III) setting forth or implying for the bearer a claim of <strong>immunity<\/strong> from the law of this state or federal law.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unconstitutional\"><\/span>Unconstitutional<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">12.\u00a0 In some states, notaries take an oath or affirmation to support and defend the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/u-s-constitution-bill-of-rights\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constitution<\/a><\/strong><\/span> of the United States and of their state of residence.\u00a0 See <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/constitutional-oath-of-office-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constitutional oath of office form<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 Threats, violence, terrorism, violations of rights, or unlawful acts or plans against persons, businesses, public officials, government employees, agencies or property will be reported to the authorities for criminal and civil rights investigation.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Interfering_with_Bribing_or_Influencing_a_Public_Official\"><\/span>Interfering with, Bribing\u00a0or Influencing a\u00a0Public Official<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">13. \u00a0If the customer makes <strong>threats<\/strong>, assaults, or attempts to interfere with, obstruct, intimidate, deceive, bribe, <strong>influence<\/strong>, or <strong>coerce<\/strong> the notary.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Disqualifying_Interest\"><\/span>Disqualifying Interest<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">14.\u00a0 If the notary is a named party in the document, or the signer is a family member or relative, or the notary has a <strong>disqualifying interest<\/strong> in the transaction or a significant conflict of interest that would compromise the <strong>impartiality<\/strong> of the notary.\u00a0 The value of the money, goods, benefits, or services received by the notary should not exceed compensation for the value of the services rendered by the notary.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">State laws may allow a public official to receive a minimal or trivial amount as a courtesy thank you, such as some food, snack, or a beverage.\u00a0 The total dollar value limits allowed per transaction and per year are defined in the state &#8220;<strong>gift ban<\/strong>&#8221; laws.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Disruptive_Customer\"><\/span>Disruptive Customer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">15.\u00a0 Most customers are polite and cooperative when seeking notary services.\u00a0 Some customers are rude, insulting, disrespectful, angry, enraged, loud, <strong>disruptive<\/strong>, abusive, condescending, lecturing, degrading, uncooperative, immature, or unreasonable.\u00a0 A business may establish policies for dealing with disruptive customers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A judge in court would likely give a <strong>warning<\/strong> to a disruptive party, and then issue a <strong>contempt<\/strong> of court charge if the disruptive behavior continues.\u00a0 The U.S. Post Office has refused service to disruptive customers who refused to follow rules of conduct.\u00a0 A notary may decline, refuse or postpone notarial service until the customer showing contempt agrees to act in a manner showing respect for the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/dignity-of-office-notary-public\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">dignity of office<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Health_Safety_and_Security_Issues\"><\/span>Health, Safety and Security\u00a0Issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">16.\u00a0 Notaries should not put themselves or others at risk in situations involving health, safety, or security.\u00a0 Hazardous situations should be resolved, remedied, safely accommodated, or eliminated before proceeding.\u00a0 During an epidemic or pandemic infectious disease outbreak or emergency, public health orders, medical guidance, and <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/infection-control-policy-mobile-notary\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">infection prevention and control policies<\/a><\/span><\/strong> including social distancing, disinfection, and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks must be followed.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Non-Customers\"><\/span>Non-Customers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">17.\u00a0 Notaries should not decline or <strong>refuse service<\/strong> or charge <strong>different fees<\/strong> because a person is not a <strong>client<\/strong> or <strong>customer<\/strong> of a business.\u00a0 The public should not be required to buy goods or services or open an account as a <strong>prerequisite<\/strong> to receiving notary service.\u00a0 Employers should not impose company rules on notary employees that contradict notary laws.\u00a0 A notary public should serve the public, not private customers only.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Model_Notary_Act\"><\/span>Model Notary Act<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">18.\u00a0 The <strong>Model Notary Act<\/strong>, published by the <strong>National Notary Association<\/strong> (<strong>NNA<\/strong>), Section 5-6, <strong>Refusal to Notarize<\/strong>, states:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><em>A notary shall not refuse to perform a notarial act based on a person&#8217;s race, advanced age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or status as a non-client or non-customer of the notary&#8217;s employer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Colorado_Civil_Rights_Anti-Discrimination_Laws\"><\/span>Colorado Civil Rights Anti-Discrimination Laws<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">19.\u00a0 The <strong>Colorado Civil Rights Division<\/strong> enforces the <strong>Colorado Anti-Discrimination<\/strong> laws.\u00a0 A Colorado business serving the public <span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">must not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation (including transgender status), marital status, and retaliation for engaging in protected activity (opposing a discriminatory practice or participating in a public accommodations discrimination proceeding).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Illegal discrimination includes providing unequal terms and conditions, discriminatory advertising, denial of service, unequal service, retaliation, and harassment when based on a protected class.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">See <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/Downloads_large1\/Colorado-Civil-Rights-Division-Brochure-2015-01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colorado Civil Rights brochure PDF [new window]<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\nSee <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/civil-and-criminal-justice\/state-public-accommodation-laws.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">public accommodations anti-discrimination laws [new window]<\/a><\/strong><\/span> for all states.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The notary should <strong>serve all<\/strong> of the public, in a <strong>fair<\/strong>, <strong>honest,<\/strong> and <strong>unbiased<\/strong> manner, when a reasonable and lawful notary request is received, or attempt to help the customer find another notary that can provide the requested service.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A helpful notary may receive a <strong>positive customer review<\/strong> from a thankful customer for providing <strong>good customer service<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Disclaimer: <\/strong>This information is not legal advice.\u00a0 Consult with a licensed, competent attorney for legal advice about your specific situation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Visit our website for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/mobile-notary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colorado Springs Mobile Notary<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0services or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abclegaldocs.com\/blog-Colorado-Notary\/colorado-notary-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colorado Notary Training<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>classes.<\/p>\n<p>[Last-Modified Date 2021-09-28] updated section 7, Missing or Non-Compliant Notarial Certificate<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a9 Copyright 2013 ABC Legal Docs, LLC All rights reserved. Do not copy. Citations welcome. Terms of Use apply.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Declining or Refusing Notary Service Under Colorado notary law, CRS 24-21-508, a notary may decline or refuse to perform a notarial act unless refusal is otherwise prohibited by law.\u00a0 When refusing notary service, the notary should not discriminate, decline or refuse a reasonable and lawful notary request.\u00a0 Notaries are commissioned to serve all of the public. But, there may be a legitimate reason for refusing notary service.\u00a0 As a best practice, notaries should make an entry in the notary journal when refusing notary service. This can be evidence that the notary is using reasonable care to prevent improper acts. Some <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8224,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1098,12,13],"tags":[2504,1544,217,270,797,17,229,1546,249,454,221,2958,223,1545,225,2091,176,61,134,1276,1548,1549,228,2610,2544,224,175,5,2960,2926,85,1840,222,2959,1547,1037,2126,227],"class_list":["post-140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-constitution","category-notary-law","category-notary-questions","tag-allegiance","tag-anti-discrimination","tag-awareness","tag-blank","tag-civil-rights","tag-colorado","tag-constitution","tag-contempt","tag-correction","tag-customer","tag-decline","tag-declining","tag-discriminate","tag-disruptive","tag-duress","tag-emotions","tag-fees","tag-foreign-language","tag-fraud","tag-gift-ban","tag-hazard","tag-health","tag-illegal","tag-immunity","tag-law-of-agency","tag-mental-impairment","tag-nna","tag-notary","tag-notary-service","tag-pandemic","tag-poa","tag-public-policy","tag-refuse","tag-refusing","tag-respect","tag-safety","tag-sovereign","tag-training","has_thumb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - 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