9.2 Becoming a Remote Online Notary
Key Takeaways
- An applicant must hold an active Colorado notary commission for at least 6 months before applying for RON registration.
- RON-specific training and an examination through the Secretary of State must be completed first.
- Application is submitted through the 'Become a remote notary' action in the online notary account.
- The RON application fee is $10, separate from the original commission fee.
- Before performing any RON, the notary must contract with at least one Secretary of State-approved technology provider.
Who Qualifies
RON is an add-on credential, not a separate commission. You must already be a commissioned Colorado notary in good standing. The gateway requirements are:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Active Colorado commission | Must show Active status in the SOS database |
| Time in commission | Held the commission for at least 6 months before applying |
| Good standing | No pending complaints, suspensions, or disciplinary actions |
| RON training + exam | Completed before the application can be submitted |
The 6-month waiting period is the single most-tested number in this section. A person who was commissioned three months ago is not yet eligible, no matter how much RON training they finish.
The Five-Step Pathway
Step 1 — Confirm eligibility
Log into your notary account and confirm the commission status reads Active and that the commission date is at least six months in the past. If a complaint is pending, the application will not be processed until it resolves.
Step 2 — Complete RON training and pass the RON exam
The Secretary of State provides the required training through its free eLearning platform. You must pass the RON examination before the portal will unlock the application. Training covers the topics in the table below.
| Training topic | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Technology standards | Approved-provider features, audio-video quality, tamper-evidence |
| Identity proofing | Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) |
| Recording rules | Capturing and retaining the audio-video session |
| Electronic journal | Required RON journal entries |
| Document handling | Electronic record workflow and electronic seal |
| Security | Protecting credentials and the remote session |
Step 3 — Apply online
In your notary account, under the Actions menu, choose "Become a remote notary," complete the form, and pay the fee.
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Online notary account, Actions menu |
| Form | RON application |
| Fee | $10 |
Step 4 — Await approval
The Secretary of State reviews the application; status updates appear in the online account and by email. Approval is typically quick because the substantive vetting (background and exam) happened earlier.
Step 5 — Register with an approved provider
Registration alone does not let you notarize — you cannot perform RON until you have contracted with at least one Secretary of State-approved technology provider and your registration links to that provider.
Fees and Costs Side by Side
| Item | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Original notary commission | $10 | Secretary of State |
| RON registration | $10 | Secretary of State |
| Technology provider | Varies (subscription and/or per-transaction) | Private provider |
| Provider's own approval fee | $250 | Provider pays the SOS, not you |
Worked example. Devon was commissioned on March 1. He finishes RON training and passes the exam on June 1 and tries to apply that day. The portal blocks him: only three months have elapsed. Devon must wait until September 1 (six months after March 1) to submit the $10 RON application. The training does not expire instantly, but the clock that matters is the commission clock.
What the RON Application Actually Asks
The online application is short because the heavy lifting (background check and exam) already happened when you were commissioned and when you passed the RON exam. Expect to confirm:
| Application element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Confirmation of active commission | Links RON authority to the base commission |
| Attestation you completed RON training/exam | Gates the application |
| Acknowledgment of RON duties | Recording, electronic journal, approved provider |
| $10 payment | Processes the registration |
After approval, your name appears on the Secretary of State's public list of approved remote notaries, which signers and title companies can search to confirm you are authorized.
Standard vs. Remote Notary
| Aspect | Standard notary | Remote notary |
|---|---|---|
| Required training | RULONA training | RULONA plus RON training |
| Required exam | Notary exam | Notary exam plus RON exam |
| State fee | $10 | $10 additional |
| Tools | Stamp and journal | Approved provider platform |
| Ongoing cost | Minimal | Provider subscription / per-act fees |
Maintaining RON Status
RON authority is tied to the underlying commission. A Colorado notary commission runs four years, and you may renew online up to 90 days before it expires. When the commission lapses or is renewed, the RON registration follows it; you must keep an active provider relationship and stay current on rule changes such as the HB 24-1248 updates that took effect January 1, 2025.
Common traps in this section.
- Believing RON training shortens the 6-month commission wait — it does not; the commission clock is independent.
- Confusing the $10 RON fee with the provider's $250 approval fee.
- Thinking approval lets you notarize immediately — you still must contract with an approved provider first.
- Assuming RON renews on its own schedule — it renews with the base commission, not separately.
On the Exam
- Eligibility: active commission held 6 months before applying.
- Prerequisite: pass the RON training and exam first.
- Application path: "Become a remote notary" in the online account.
- Fee: $10 RON registration (separate from the original commission).
- Cannot notarize until contracted with an approved provider.
How long must an applicant have held an active Colorado notary commission before applying to become a Remote Online Notary?
Which step must be completed BEFORE the online portal will allow a notary to submit the RON application?