How to Become a Colorado Notary in 2026
Colorado is one of the most affordable states to become a notary — just $10 application fee, no bond required. Complete a state-approved course, pass the 100% open-book exam, and buy a mandatory rectangular stamp. Denver NSAs earn $100–$200/signing.
Commission Cost
~$75 – $160
NSA-Ready Cost
~$340 – $775
Denver Signing Fee
$100 – $200
Commission Term
4 years
Colorado requires 100% exam score — unique among all US states
Colorado's open-book online exam requires a perfect 100% score (not 70% or 80% like other states). Since you may use training materials during the exam, this is achievable — but you must understand the material. Approximately 25-30 minutes.
Rectangular rubber stamp required — not circle or embossing seal
Colorado specifically requires a rectangular rubber stamp. A circle seal or embossing stamp does not meet Colorado's requirements. Stamp must include your name, "Notary Public," "State of Colorado," notary ID number, and commission expiration date.
Best Colorado Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (Colorado Package)Best Supply Package
Colorado commission packages with mandatory rectangular stamp, journal, and NNA Hotline. Note: the 100% exam and state training are through the CO SOS portal (not NNA). Verify pricing at NNA.
Verify
at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students. Denver and Boulder are active signing markets with $100-$200/signing fees. $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background check + NSA certification required by most Denver and Boulder title companies. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best Colorado Notary Training Programs
All 3 schools are Colorado Colorado Secretary of State-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA (National Notary Association)
Best Supply PackageStarting at
$0
- Colorado supply packages: rectangular stamp (required), journal, NNA Hotline
- State training and 100% exam are through the CO SOS portal — not NNA
- NNA provides supplies and optional supplemental training
- NEEDS_REVIEW: Verify exact CO package pricing at nationalnotary.org/colorado/become-a-notary
Available Packages (1)
Colorado Commission Package
- Mandatory rectangular notary stamp
- Notary journal (mandatory, 10-yr retention)
- NNA Hotline subscription
- NEEDS_REVIEW: Verify current CO pricing at NNA
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by Denver and Boulder title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening
- NSA Certification Training and Exam
- Listing on SigningAgent.com
Loan Signing System (LSS) - Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training course — 100,000+ students nationwide
- Denver and Boulder are active signing markets with premium fees ($100-$200)
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by CO title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course
- NSA Training + LSS Certification
- 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 months mentorship + coaching calls
- 300+ companies hiring signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x $97/month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
Colorado Notary — 4 Things That Make It Unique
Only $10 fee — no bond
Most affordable US state
Total commission ~$75-$160
100% exam score required
Open-book, ~25-30 min
Unique among all US states
Rectangular stamp required
Not circle or embossing seal
Must include notary ID number
CO Digital ID accepted (2026)
HB 25-1076 effective Jan 1, 2026
Smartphone CO ID is valid
How Much Do Colorado Notary Signing Agents Earn?
Denver Standard Signing
$100 – $200
Per loan signing appointment
Full-Time Denver NSA
$60K – $100K+
Direct title relationships
Statewide Range
$75 – $175
Per loan signing
| Market | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Denver Metro | $100 – $200 |
| Boulder | $100 – $175 |
| Colorado Springs | $75 – $150 |
| Fort Collins / Aurora | $75 – $150 |
How to Become a Colorado Notary — Step by Step
Complete a CO SOS-approved notary training course
Enroll in and complete a Colorado Secretary of State-approved notary training course. Your completion certificate must be within the last 90 days of your application. The course includes the online exam.
Pass the 100% open-book online exam
Colorado uniquely requires 100% passing score. The exam is open-book (using only materials provided in the training system), approximately 25-30 minutes, and is taken as part of the approved training course.
Submit application at sos.state.co.us with only $10
Apply online through the Colorado Secretary of State portal. Colorado's $10 fee is one of the lowest in the US. No surety bond required. Processing: approximately 3-5 business days.
Purchase mandatory rectangular stamp and journal
Buy a rectangular rubber stamp (Colorado specifically requires rectangular — not circle). Must include your name, "Notary Public," "State of Colorado," notary ID number, and commission expiration date. Journal is also mandatory with 10-year retention.
Add NSA training for Denver and Boulder loan signing income
Loan Signing System ($347) for comprehensive NSA training + NNA background check ($199 — required by Denver title companies) + E&O insurance ($100,000, ~$100-$250/yr).
Colorado Notary Requirements at a Glance
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; CO resident or CO-employed
- State-approved training course (cert within 90 days)
- Pass 100% open-book online exam
- $10 application fee (no bond required)
- Mandatory rectangular rubber stamp
- Mandatory journal (10-year retention)
- 4-year commission term
Regulator + 2026 Updates
- Agency: Colorado Secretary of State
- Website: sos.state.co.us
- Statute: C.R.S. § 24-21-501 et seq.
- New Jan 2026: CO Digital ID on smartphone accepted (HB 25-1076)
- RON: Authorized; requires additional training via SOS eLearning
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Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado Notary
How do I become a notary public in Colorado?
Complete a Colorado Secretary of State-approved notary training course (certificate must be within the last 90 days), pass the open-book online exam with a 100% score, and submit your application through sos.state.co.us with the $10 fee. Processing takes approximately 3-5 business days. No surety bond required. After receiving your commission, purchase a mandatory rectangular rubber stamp and journal.
Does Colorado require an exam for notaries?
Yes. Colorado requires passing an open-book online notary exam as part of the approved training course. The unique requirement: Colorado requires a 100% passing score — not 70% or 80% like most states. The exam is open-book, approximately 25-30 minutes, and is taken as part of the state-approved training.
Why does Colorado require a 100% exam score?
Colorado's 100% passing requirement reflects the open-book format — since you may use the training materials during the exam, a perfect score is the standard. This is unique among US states. The exam covers Colorado notary law, proper procedures, and types of notarial acts.
Does Colorado require a surety bond?
No. Colorado does not require a surety bond for notary commission. This is one of the reasons Colorado is one of the most affordable states to become a notary — total basic commission cost runs just ~$75-$160.
What are Colorado's seal and journal requirements?
Colorado requires a mandatory rectangular rubber stamp (not a circle or embossing seal) that must include your name, "Notary Public," "State of Colorado," your notary identification number, and commission expiration date. A journal is also mandatory — retain all entries for 10 years after the last entry.
What is the new Colorado Digital ID rule (2026)?
Effective January 1, 2026, Colorado notaries may accept a Colorado Digital ID displayed on a smartphone as valid identification for notarizations. This was established by HB 25-1076. This gives notaries more flexibility when signers present their ID via phone rather than a physical card.
How much does it cost to become a Colorado notary?
Colorado is one of the most affordable states: ~$75-$160 total ($10 application fee + $20-$60 for approved training + $25-$50 rectangular stamp + $20-$40 journal). No bond required. NSA-ready total: ~$340-$775 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-$250/yr).
How much do Colorado notary signing agents earn?
Denver and Boulder are active signing markets with premium fees. Typical Colorado signing fees: $75-$175 statewide; Denver metro and Boulder $100-$200. Full-time, high-volume Denver-area NSAs with direct title company relationships earn $60,000-$100,000+.
What are the best Colorado markets for notary signing agents?
Denver Metro is the largest and most active market driven by strong real estate volume and tech/corporate relocation. Boulder commands premium fees near the University. Colorado Springs has a strong military market (Fort Carson, NORAD/Peterson AFB). Fort Collins and the northern Front Range are growing markets.
Does Colorado support Remote Online Notarization (RON)?
Yes. Colorado authorizes RON under C.R.S. § 24-21-504.5. To perform RON, you need your active notary commission plus must complete special RON training and exam via the SOS eLearning portal. ID verification requires credential analysis + KBA, personal knowledge, or other approved multi-factor methods. RON is not available for wills or petition circulator affidavits.