Important: Bonds NOT Required in Colorado
Colorado does NOT require notaries to obtain surety bonds. The Colorado Secretary of State explicitly states: "A notary does not have to be bonded in Colorado, but it's something you may want to consider."
Surety bonds and E&O insurance are completely optional in Colorado. Many notaries choose to purchase these products for additional protection when handling high-value documents in Denver's booming real estate market, Colorado's tech industry, or energy sector transactions, but they are not legally required.
Colorado Notary BondOptional Protection • Not Required
Colorado does NOT require notary bonds. Optional surety bonds and E&O insurance available for notaries who want extra protection. Education course and 100% exam required.
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Colorado has approximately 35,000 active notaries serving the Centennial State. The Colorado Secretary of State does not require bonds for notary commissions but explicitly recommends that notaries consider obtaining bonds voluntarily for their own protection against potential liability from improper notarizations.
Why Colorado Doesn't Require Bonds
Colorado prioritizes education and testing over mandatory financial guarantees. The required training course and 100% passing score on the exam ensure notaries understand Colorado law before commissioning. However, the state acknowledges that bonds provide a "layer of protection" and encourages notaries to consider them voluntarily.
When CO Notaries Choose Optional Protection
Standard CO Notaries (No Bond)
- • Routine acknowledgments
- • Standard jurats and oaths
- • Basic affidavits
- • Low-volume notarizations
- • Personal/family documents
- • No bond needed
Optional Protection Cases
- • Denver real estate closings
- • Tech startup documentation
- • Energy sector contracts
- • High-volume mobile notaries
- • Resort property transactions
- • Optional E&O recommended
Similar to how contractor license bonds protect against construction defects in states requiring them, optional CO notary coverage protects against errors in high-stakes transactions. For general surety bond information, visit our complete bond platform.
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Verify Eligibility Requirements
Confirm you are at least 18 years old, either a Colorado resident or have employment in CO, and are lawfully present in the United States.
Complete Approved Training Course
Take free online eLearning training from Colorado Secretary of State (approximately 30 minutes) OR paid course from approved vendor ($25-$50). You must complete training before taking the exam.
Pass the 100% Exam
Take and pass the online Colorado notary exam with 100% score (approximately 30 minutes, not proctored, open-book). Tests familiarity with Colorado notary law, procedures, and guidelines. You'll receive a training certificate and exam certificate upon completion.
Submit Application and Fee
Complete the Colorado notary application and submit with $10 application fee, training certificate, exam certificate, notarized affirmation form, and identification documents.
Receive Commission
Once approved, you'll receive your 4-year Colorado notary commission from the Secretary of State. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Obtain Notary Seal and Supplies
Purchase your official Colorado notary seal/stamp and notary journal. These are required for all notarizations and are not provided by the state.
Begin Notarizing (Standard Notaries Done Here)
You can now perform all notarizations for 4 years. Since CO doesn't require bonds, most notaries stop here. If you only handle routine notarizations, you're fully compliant!
Optional: Get Bond or E&O Insurance
If you plan to handle high-value documents (real estate, tech startups, energy contracts), consider purchasing optional surety bond or E&O insurance for personal liability protection as recommended by Colorado SOS.
Optional Protection Costs (Not Required):
*Optional protection is not required by CO law but is recommended by Colorado Secretary of State. Most notaries operate without bonds or E&O insurance. Add protection only if handling high-value or high-risk transactions.
Colorado's economy spans from Denver's booming real estate and tech sectors to the state's energy industry and mountain resort communities. This diversity creates specialized documentation needs across different regions and industries.
Denver Metro Real Estate
Denver-Boulder area's rapidly appreciating real estate market drives demand for closing documentation, refinancing, and property transfers. High property values create higher liability exposure for notarial errors.
Technology Sector
Colorado's growing tech industry in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs creates demand for software licenses, intellectual property assignments, startup funding documents, and employment contracts.
Energy Industry
Colorado's renewable energy (solar, wind) and traditional energy sectors (oil & gas) require notarization of land leases, mineral rights, power purchase agreements, and environmental permits.
Resort Communities
Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, and other resort areas handle luxury property transactions, vacation rental agreements, and seasonal employment contracts requiring mobile notary services.
We serve notaries throughout Colorado's diverse economy, from Front Range to Western Slope.
Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Program
1700 Broadway, Suite 550, Denver, CO 80290 | Phone: (303) 894-2200
Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Portal →U.S. Department of Treasury
Federal surety bond program oversight and carrier certification
U.S. Department of Treasury - Surety Bond Program →Which describes your situation best?
"A notary does not have to be bonded in Colorado, but it's something you may want to consider. A bond provides a layer of protection for the notary from liability incurred by improperly notarizing."Colorado Secretary of State - Notary Public Division • View Official Requirements →
Colorado prioritizes education over mandatory financial guarantees. Free training from Colorado SOS plus 100% exam ensure competent notaries.
However, Colorado Secretary of State explicitly recommends considering bonds voluntarily for "a layer of protection from liability incurred by improperly notarizing."
Optional bonds and E&O insurance available for notaries handling Denver real estate, tech startups, or energy sector documentation.
Serving Notaries Throughout Colorado
We serve all major cities as well as smaller towns around Colorado
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