Getting your commission in the Centennial State isn't exactly like getting a library card. It’s actually more like a mini-bar exam, minus the expensive suits and the crippling student debt. If you're looking into state of Colorado notary training, you've probably realized by now that the Secretary of State doesn't just hand these out to anyone who can hold a stamp. They want you to actually know the law.
Most people think it's just about watching a couple of videos and clicking "next" until a certificate pops out. Honestly? That's how people end up in legal hot water. Colorado is one of the states that takes its "Notary Public" title seriously. You are an official of the state. You have power. You can literally help someone buy a house or sign away their parental rights.
✨ Don't miss: Alan Beard Explained: Why This Trade Expert Still Matters in 2026
So, let's talk about what the training actually looks like, where people trip up, and why the "free" options might actually cost you more in the long run.
Why Colorado Isn't Like Other States
In some states—looking at you, Illinois—you basically just pay a fee and get a bond. Colorado demands more. The state of Colorado notary training is a mandatory prerequisite under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). You can't skip it. You can't "experience" your way out of it.
The state provides a free online tutorial. It’s... fine. It’s dry. It’s basically a long PowerPoint presentation that explains the difference between an acknowledgment and an affirmation. If you have a high tolerance for government-speak, it’ll get the job done. But here’s the kicker: the state's training covers the law, but it doesn't always cover the business.
It won’t tell you how to handle a signer who’s clearly being coerced by their greedy nephew. It won't explain what to do when your stamp smears on a $500,000 deed. It just tells you what the statute says.
The Training Curriculum: What You’re Actually Learning
The training is broken down into several modules. You’ll spend a significant amount of time on the "Five Steps to a Notarization."
- Personal Appearance: This is the big one. The signer has to be right there. In front of you. No, FaceTime doesn't count for a traditional notarization (though Remote Online Notarization is a whole separate beast we'll get into).
- Identification: You’ll learn how to spot a fake ID. Colorado is specific about what counts—passports, driver's licenses, and certain government IDs are in. Your gym membership card? Not so much.
- Willingness and Awareness: You have to play detective. Is the person drunk? Do they know what they're signing? If the answer is no, you stop.
- The Act: This is where you actually do the work. You perform the ceremony. Yes, it’s a ceremony. You have to ask the question: "Do you solemnly swear..."
- The Journal: In Colorado, the journal is your best friend. It is your only defense if someone sues you three years later.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) Training
Since 2020, everything changed. Colorado officially embraced RON. If you want to do this, there is extra state of Colorado notary training required. You don't just get to use Zoom. You have to use an approved vendor like Notarize or PAVA. The training for this involves learning about "KBA" (Knowledge-Based Authentication)—those annoying questions that ask which of these four cars you owned in 1998—and credential analysis.
The Exam: The Part Everyone Dreads
Once you finish the training, you have to pass the state exam. It’s open-book. That sounds easy, right?
Wrong.
The questions are intentionally tricky. They use "except for" and "notwithstanding" to trip you up. You have to get an 80% to pass. If you fail, you can retake it, but your ego will take a hit. The exam tests your ability to navigate the RULONA statutes quickly.
Tip: Have the Colorado Notary Handbook open in a separate tab. Search for keywords. Don't guess.
Where to Get Trained: Free vs. Paid
You have choices. You can go the "Official State Path" or the "Third-Party Expert Path."
The Secretary of State's online training is free. It lives on their website. It’s the bare minimum.
Then there are organizations like the National Notary Association (NNA) or the Colorado Notary Training school run by people who have actually been in the trenches. These cost money—usually between $30 and $100. Why pay? Because they give you scripts. They give you "what-if" scenarios. They teach you how to actually make money as a mobile notary or a loan signing agent.
If you just want the stamp for your office job, do the free one. If you want to start a side hustle, pay for the better training. Honestly, the nuance you get from a seasoned instructor is worth the price of a few pizzas.
Common Misconceptions About the Process
- "I can notarize for my spouse." No. In Colorado, you cannot notarize a document if you have a disqualifying interest. If your spouse is signing a deed to a house you both live in, you are "beneficially interested." Step away from the stamp.
- "The training certificate lasts forever." Nope. Your commission lasts four years. When you renew, you have to do the training and the exam all over again. The laws change. You have to keep up.
- "I can charge whatever I want." Colorado law caps your fees. As of now, it's $15 per notarization. If you're a mobile notary, you can charge a travel fee, but you have to agree on it with the client before you leave your house.
The Business of Being a Notary in Colorado
Let’s be real for a second. Most people looking for state of Colorado notary training aren't doing it for the love of the law. They're doing it for the money.
The Denver metro area is saturated. If you just put a sign in your yard, you'll wait a long time for the phone to ring. The real money is in being a Loan Signing Agent. This involves specialized training (beyond the state requirements) where you handle mortgage closings. You can make $75 to $150 per appointment. But if you mess up one signature on a 150-page loan package, the bank won't hire you again.
✨ Don't miss: Southern New Hampshire Tuition: What Most People Get Wrong
That’s why the initial training is so vital. It builds the foundation. If you don't understand the difference between an oath and an acknowledgment, you'll fail as a signing agent.
Steps to Take Right Now
If you're ready to pull the trigger and get commissioned, don't just jump into the first link you see on Google. Follow this path to ensure you don't waste time or money.
1. Create a Log-In on the SOS Website
Everything happens through the Colorado Secretary of State's "Notary Home" page. Create your account first. This is where you'll upload your certificates and pay your application fee.
2. Decide on Your Training Level
If you are detail-oriented and good at reading legal documents, go through the free SOS tutorial. If you feel overwhelmed by "legalese," look into a third-party course that offers video explanations and practice quizzes.
3. Study the RULONA Statutes
Don't just skim. Read the sections on "Prohibited Acts." This is where most notaries get sued or fined. Knowing what you can't do is just as important as knowing what you can.
4. Purchase a High-Quality Journal
While the training tells you that you need a journal, it doesn't tell you which one. Get one with pre-printed columns for "Type of Act," "Fee Charged," and "Thumbprint." Yes, thumbprints aren't strictly required in Colorado for every act, but they are a massive deterrent for fraud.
5. Secure Your E&O Insurance
The state doesn't require Errors and Omissions insurance, but you're crazy if you don't get it. It’s cheap—usually under $100 for a four-year policy. It protects you if you make a mistake. And since you're human, you will eventually make a mistake.
6. Apply and Wait
Once you pass the exam and upload your training certificate, you submit your application and pay the $10 (or $1 depending on current state promotions) fee. Background checks usually take about three to five business days.
Once that's done, you're officially a Notary Public for the State of Colorado. Buy your stamp from a reputable vendor (make sure it has the correct "rectangular" dimensions required by state law), and you're in business. Don't forget that your commission is a public record; your name and business address will be searchable on the state's website, so plan your privacy accordingly.