Colorado Notary Requirements and E&O Insurance

Is a notary bond required in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not require notaries public to purchase or file a surety bond. Colorado has adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 24, Article 21, Part 5), under which an individual who qualifies applies to the Secretary of State for a commission. The statutory scheme sets eligibility, training, and examination requirements rather than a bonding requirement.

Because there is no bond, the public’s protection in Colorado comes from the notary’s qualifications and from the state’s ability to discipline or revoke a commission for misconduct, rather than from a financial guarantee posted by the notary. The commission itself provides no immunity or special benefit to the notary; a notary remains personally responsible for their acts.

Colorado commissions notaries through the Secretary of State, and the entire application and renewal process is handled online.

How to become a notary in Colorado

1. Confirm eligibility. Colorado allows applicants who are at least 18 years old, meet residency/qualification rules, have never had a notary commission revoked, and have passed the notary exam after completing training.
2. Complete the required training. Colorado offers tutorials and training classes through the Secretary of State.
3. Pass the Colorado notary exam.
4. Apply online through the Secretary of State and attach the required scanned documents, including the affirmation.
5. Receive your commission. The four-year term begins on the date you are approved.
6. Obtain your official stamp and journal and begin performing notarial acts.

Bond vs. E&O insurance in Colorado

Since Colorado imposes no bond requirement, the only financial-protection product a Colorado notary would consider is errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, which is entirely optional. Unlike a bond — which protects the public and can be recovered from the notary — E&O insurance protects the notary, helping to cover legal defense costs and losses that arise from unintentional errors. Many Colorado notaries carry E&O because there is no bond backstop, but the state does not require it.

Renewing your Colorado commission

You must renew your Colorado commission every four years. The commission term begins on the date you are approved and expires on the same date four years later. Renewals are completed online through the Secretary of State; log in to your account to renew or update your commission. Because Colorado requires no bond, there is nothing to re-post — but confirm any current training or exam requirements for renewal before your term ends.

Remote online notarization in Colorado

Colorado authorizes remote notarization. The Secretary of State maintains a list of approved remote-notary technology providers and a public list of approved remote notaries, and there is a separate application process (with technology questions) to become a remote notary or a provider. A notary who wants to notarize for remotely located individuals should complete the additional registration and follow the state’s remote-notary protocols before offering the service.