Colorado Notary Public Exam Overview
The Colorado Notary Public Exam is administered on behalf of the Colorado Secretary of State. Colorado modernized its notary requirements, now requiring both education and examination for all notary commissions.
Passing this exam qualifies you to become a Colorado Notary Public—serving nearly 5.8 million residents in one of the fastest-growing states with strong demand for notary services in real estate, legal, and business sectors.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 40 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 1 hour |
| Passing Score | 80% (32 correct answers) |
| Exam Fee | Included in course (~$100-150) |
| Education Required | 4-hour approved course |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $10,000 required |
Why Become a Colorado Notary?
- Fast-growing state — Nearly 5.8 million residents and growing
- Strong real estate market — High demand for closing services
- RON authorized — Remote Online Notarization available
- Modern laws — Recently updated notary statutes
- Mountain communities — Mobile notary demand in rural areas
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Notary Fundamentals (25%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Colorado resident or regularly work in CO
- Complete 4-hour approved education course
- Pass the state examination
- Obtain $10,000 surety bond
- No disqualifying criminal history
Appointment Process:
- Complete approved training course
- Pass examination
- Submit application to Secretary of State
- Pay application fee ($30)
- Obtain surety bond
- Take oath of office
Oath of Office:
- Must take oath within 30 days
- Can be administered by any notary
- Filed with Secretary of State
- Commission begins upon filing
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- Used for deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney
- Does not require oath
Jurats (Verification on Oath):
- Signer swears content is true
- Must sign in notary's presence
- Notary administers oath or affirmation
- Common for affidavits
Signature Witnessing:
- Witness signature without oath
- Signer acknowledges signature
- Different from acknowledgment
- Less common act type
Copy Certifications:
- Certify copies of certain documents
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot certify public records
- Limited scope under CO law
3. Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) Title 12 (20%)
Key Legal Provisions:
- CRS 12-55-101 — Definitions
- CRS 12-55-102 — Notary appointment
- CRS 12-55-110 — Notarial acts
- CRS 12-55-111 — Prohibited acts
- CRS 12-55-112 — Fees
Prohibited Acts:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot act with financial interest
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot provide legal advice
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
Penalties:
- Commission revocation
- Civil liability
- Criminal penalties for fraud
- Fines and restitution
4. Identification and Procedures (15%)
Satisfactory Evidence:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Valid and not expired
- Colorado driver's license or ID
- U.S. passport
- Military ID
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows signer
- Based on familiarity over time
- Most reliable identification method
- Document basis in journal
Credible Witness:
- One credible witness allowed
- Witness must know signer personally
- Witness presents ID to notary
- Swears to signer's identity
5. Journal, Seal, and Fees (10%)
Journal Requirements: Colorado requires a sequential journal containing:
- Date and time of notarial act
- Type of document notarized
- Signer's name and signature
- Type of identification presented
- Fees charged
- Any unusual circumstances
Seal Requirements:
- Must include notary's name
- Words "State of Colorado"
- Words "Notary Public"
- Commission expiration date
Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Notarial act | $5 |
| Certificate | $5 |
| Travel | Reasonable mileage |
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Complete 4-hour education course | 4 |
| Week 1-2 | Notary fundamentals | 3-4 |
| Week 2 | Types of notarial acts | 4-5 |
| Week 2-3 | CRS Title 12 provisions | 4-5 |
| Week 3 | Identification and procedures | 3-4 |
| Week 3-4 | Journal, seal, and fees | 2-3 |
| Week 4 | Practice exams and review | 4-5 |
Total recommended study time: 25-30 hours (including required course)
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Colorado-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master CRS Title 12
Colorado's notary laws are in Title 12:
- Know key section numbers
- Understand appointment procedures
- Memorize prohibited acts
- Know fee limitations
2. Understand Remote Online Notarization
Colorado authorizes RON:
- Approved vendor requirements
- Audio-visual technology standards
- Identity verification methods
- Electronic journal requirements
3. Know Journal Requirements
Colorado requires a notary journal:
- Sequential entries mandatory
- Cannot skip entries
- Must be maintained securely
- Surrender upon commission end
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Colorado Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 80% (32/40) |
| Education | 4 hours |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond amount | $10,000 |
| Max fee per act | $5 |
| Oath deadline | 30 days |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping required course — 4-hour course is mandatory
- Ignoring CRS Title 12 — Central to exam content
- Forgetting journal entries — Required in Colorado
- Missing 80% threshold — Higher than average
- Not understanding RON — Tested on exam
- Underestimating preparation — Study beyond the course
After Passing Your Exam
- Submit application to Secretary of State
- Pay $30 application fee to state
- Obtain $10,000 surety bond from approved provider
- Take oath of office within 30 days
- File oath and bond with Secretary of State
- Purchase notary seal meeting state specifications
- Purchase journal and begin your practice
2026 Colorado Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Remote Online Notarization updates
- Electronic journal requirements
- CRS Title 12 amendments
- Fee schedule adjustments
Start Your Colorado Notary Career Today
The Colorado Notary Public commission opens doors to serving one of the nation's fastest-growing states with modern notary laws including RON authorization. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
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Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
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- ✅ CRS Title 12 specifics
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
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