Colorado (CO)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Colorado notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Colorado notary details against the official state database.
Visit Colorado Official Notary Database
How to Research a Colorado Notary
1. Go to https://www.sos.state.co.us/notary/pages/public/verifyNotary.xhtml
2. Enter the notary's last name and/or first name.
3. Click Search and review the results table.
4. Verify the Notary ID, commission status, and expiration date match.
2. Enter the notary's last name and/or first name.
3. Click Search and review the results table.
4. Verify the Notary ID, commission status, and expiration date match.
How to Verify a Colorado Notary's Signature
Colorado notaries file their oath of office and signature with the county clerk in their county of residence.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Determine the county where the notary resides (or resided at the time of notarization).
2. Contact that county clerk's office and request the notary's oath and signature specimen on file.
3. The Colorado Secretary of State can confirm commission details but signature specimens are maintained at the county level.
CO SOS Contact: (303) 894-2200
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Determine the county where the notary resides (or resided at the time of notarization).
2. Contact that county clerk's office and request the notary's oath and signature specimen on file.
3. The Colorado Secretary of State can confirm commission details but signature specimens are maintained at the county level.
CO SOS Contact: (303) 894-2200
Verifying Older Colorado Documents
The Colorado SOS online search may only return currently commissioned notaries or recently expired commissions.
1. Contact the Colorado Secretary of State directly for historical commission records.
2. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
3. The county clerk where the notary filed their oath may also have historical records.
CO SOS Contact: (303) 894-2200
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Contact the Colorado Secretary of State directly for historical commission records.
2. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
3. The county clerk where the notary filed their oath may also have historical records.
CO SOS Contact: (303) 894-2200
Commission term: 4 years.
Colorado Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Colorado requires every notary to use an ink stamp seal on notarized documents. An embosser alone has not been sufficient since 2018.
Stamp requirements (C.R.S. 12-55-110):
- Type: Ink stamp (rubber stamp); embosser alone is not acceptable
- Shape: Rectangular or circular
- Must include: Notary's name as commissioned, "Notary Public", "State of Colorado", commission expiration date, notary ID number
- The stamp must produce a clear, photographically reproducible image
- Colorado notaries have statewide jurisdiction
Stamp requirements (C.R.S. 12-55-110):
- Type: Ink stamp (rubber stamp); embosser alone is not acceptable
- Shape: Rectangular or circular
- Must include: Notary's name as commissioned, "Notary Public", "State of Colorado", commission expiration date, notary ID number
- The stamp must produce a clear, photographically reproducible image
- Colorado notaries have statewide jurisdiction
Contacting a Colorado Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Colorado — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Colorado requires notaries public to maintain a journal in which they chronicle all notarial acts performed. The journal must be retained for ten years after the performance of the last notarial act (CRS § 24-21-519).
Right to inspect:
- Upon written request of any member of the public, a notary may supply a certified copy of a line item representing the requested transaction.
- The written request must include the name of the parties, the type of document, and the month and year in which the record was notarized (CRS § 24-21-519).
- The notary may charge up to $15 for each certified copy of a journal line item (CRS § 24-21-529).
Inspection by authorities:
- The Secretary of State may audit or inspect a notary's journal without restriction.
- A certified peace officer acting in the course of an official investigation may inspect a notary's journal without restriction.
- A notary must surrender the journal to the Secretary of State upon receiving a written request.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of notarization, type of notarial act and document, identification method, description of identification credential, signature of principal, fee charged
- Thumbprint: Colorado does not require thumbprints in notary journals.
Key considerations:
- Upon resignation, revocation, or expiration of commission, the notary must retain the journal for ten years or may transmit it to the Colorado State Archives or leave it with the employer/firm in the regular course of business.
- The notary must notify the Secretary of State of where the journal is located.
- Lost or stolen journals must be reported to the Secretary of State within 30 days.
- Contact: CO Secretary of State Notary Division — (303) 894-2200 (press 4) — notary@sos.state.co.us — sos.state.co.us/pubs/notary/home.html
Relevant statutes: CRS §§ 24-21-519, 24-21-529
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Colorado requires notaries public to maintain a journal in which they chronicle all notarial acts performed. The journal must be retained for ten years after the performance of the last notarial act (CRS § 24-21-519).
Right to inspect:
- Upon written request of any member of the public, a notary may supply a certified copy of a line item representing the requested transaction.
- The written request must include the name of the parties, the type of document, and the month and year in which the record was notarized (CRS § 24-21-519).
- The notary may charge up to $15 for each certified copy of a journal line item (CRS § 24-21-529).
Inspection by authorities:
- The Secretary of State may audit or inspect a notary's journal without restriction.
- A certified peace officer acting in the course of an official investigation may inspect a notary's journal without restriction.
- A notary must surrender the journal to the Secretary of State upon receiving a written request.
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of notarization, type of notarial act and document, identification method, description of identification credential, signature of principal, fee charged
- Thumbprint: Colorado does not require thumbprints in notary journals.
Key considerations:
- Upon resignation, revocation, or expiration of commission, the notary must retain the journal for ten years or may transmit it to the Colorado State Archives or leave it with the employer/firm in the regular course of business.
- The notary must notify the Secretary of State of where the journal is located.
- Lost or stolen journals must be reported to the Secretary of State within 30 days.
- Contact: CO Secretary of State Notary Division — (303) 894-2200 (press 4) — notary@sos.state.co.us — sos.state.co.us/pubs/notary/home.html
Relevant statutes: CRS §§ 24-21-519, 24-21-529
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.