Last updated 2026-08-18
TL;DR
Colorado treats RON authorization as part of your notary commission, not a separate license. When your 4-year commission expires, you renew the full commission with the Secretary of State for $10, then re-register your approved RON platform. There is no standalone RON renewal fee. The whole process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on application volume.
Do you need a license for remote online notarization in Colorado?
Colorado doesn't issue a separate RON license. What you need is an active notary public commission from the Colorado Secretary of State, plus authorization to use a state-approved remote online notarization platform. The governing law is the Colorado Revised Statutes Title 24, Article 21.5, which took effect in 2020 and set the rules for electronic and remote notarizations [1].
So the short answer: no standalone RON license exists. You commission as a notary, you pick an approved platform, and the two together give you RON authority. If your commission lapses, your RON authority lapses with it. That's the part most people miss.
If you're already commissioned and want to add RON capability mid-commission, Colorado lets you register a RON provider without waiting for renewal. You file through the Secretary of State's online portal [2]. Confirm current mid-commission registration fees directly with the office, because the portal holds the live fee schedule.
How does the Colorado notary commission renewal work?
Colorado notary commissions last four years [1]. When yours expires, you apply for a new commission through the Colorado Secretary of State's online notary portal [2]. The whole thing is online. There's no paper form to mail.
Here's the sequence:
1. Log in to the Secretary of State's online services portal before your current commission expires. 2. Complete the renewal application, which asks for your personal information, confirms you meet the eligibility requirements (18 years old, Colorado resident or working in Colorado), and collects your $10 application fee [2]. 3. If you hold a RON platform registration, re-confirm or re-register your approved provider during or after the commission renewal. 4. Update your notary seal or electronic signature credentials if they're tied to an old commission number.
Colorado does not require a notary training course or exam for renewal. That keeps the state low-friction. Some states mandate continuing education at renewal; Colorado currently does not [1]. That could change, so check the Secretary of State's notary page before you assume you're clear.
One practical note: your commission number changes when you renew. Any platform that stores your commission number (most do) needs the new one. Skip that step and you'll have an active commission and a broken RON setup.
How much does remote online notarization cost in Colorado?
The state-side cost is small. The $10 notary commission application fee covers the commission itself [2]. There's no separate state fee to add RON authorization on top of that.
The real money sits on the platform side. RON providers charge either a monthly subscription or a per-transaction fee, and the numbers vary by vendor. As of 2024, most platforms serving Colorado notaries charge somewhere between $20 and $50 per month for subscription access, or $10 to $25 per notarization on a pay-as-you-go model. Those are market-rate estimates from publicly listed pricing. Confirm the current rate with whatever platform you choose before you commit.
There are also indirect costs worth knowing:
- Electronic seal or digital certificate: some platforms include this, others make you buy a PKI-based digital certificate separately, which usually runs $50 to $150 per year from a certificate authority.
- E&O insurance: Colorado doesn't mandate errors and omissions coverage for notaries, but most RON platforms require a minimum policy (often $25,000 or more) as a condition of access. A basic notary E&O policy runs roughly $30 to $100 per year depending on limits.
- Journal and record storage: Colorado requires RON notaries to keep an electronic journal and audio-visual recordings of each session for at least 10 years [1]. Some platforms include storage; others charge for it or make you arrange your own compliant storage.
That $10 state fee is the smallest line item in the whole picture [2].
How long does remote online notarization take in Colorado?
Two questions hide inside this one: how long to get authorized, and how long a single session runs once you're operating.
For authorization: Colorado processes notary commission applications online and, in most cases, approves them within a few business days. The Secretary of State doesn't publish a guaranteed processing window, so if you have a hard deadline, apply early. Platform approval is separate and depends on the vendor's onboarding, which ranges from same-day (for platforms with automated identity verification) to one or two weeks if they require manual review. Budget two to three weeks end-to-end to be safe.
For a single session: a typical Colorado remote online notarization takes 10 to 20 minutes from the moment the signer joins the video call to the finished document. The notarial act itself takes a minute or two. Most of the time goes to identity proofing (knowledge-based authentication questions and credential analysis), reviewing the document with the signer, and completing the journal entry.
Colorado requires that signer and notary communicate in real time by sight and sound, so both parties need a working camera and microphone [1]. A bad connection doesn't just annoy everyone. It can invalidate the notarization if the audio-visual requirement isn't met. Build in a buffer and keep a backup plan for connectivity failures.
What are Colorado's approved RON platform requirements?
Colorado requires RON platforms to meet specific technical standards before notaries can use them. The Secretary of State keeps a list of approved providers, and notaries may only use platforms on that list [1].
The platform must support:
- Two-way audio and video communication in real time.
- Identity proofing through knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis (CA).
- Electronic signature and electronic seal capabilities.
- Tamper-evident technology on the completed document.
- Secure retention of the audio-visual recording for at least 10 years.
The named platforms on the approved list shift as vendors apply and as approvals are granted or pulled. Check the current Secretary of State notary page for the live list before you register with any provider. Don't assume a platform approved last year is still on it.
Comparing Colorado to its neighbors, the 10-year recording retention requirement sits on the longer end nationally. Arizona requires five years [3]. That retention window matters for your platform choice when storage is billed separately.
For a structured walkthrough of the application and platform registration, RONPath's Colorado RON Add-On Kit bundles the state-specific checklist for $99 one-time.
What happens to your RON authorization when your commission expires?
It stops. Full stop.
Your RON authority comes entirely from your active notary commission. The moment the commission expires, you can no longer legally perform remote online notarizations in Colorado. Any RON sessions run after expiration are invalid, and the notary could face civil liability and possible denial on the next application.
Colorado has no grace period for expired commissions. That's different from professional licenses that give you 30 or 60 days to renew before the license counts as lapsed. Check your commission expiration date and set a renewal reminder at least 60 days out.
If your commission expires and you renew, your platform registration won't always carry over on its own. Log in to your RON platform after renewal and update your commission number plus any new credential documentation the platform wants. Some platforms deactivate accounts tied to expired commissions automatically and force re-onboarding.
Does Colorado require training or a bond to perform remote online notarizations?
Colorado does not require a surety bond for notary commissions [1]. Several states (Florida, for one) mandate a bond. Colorado is not one of them.
Training isn't mandated by the state for initial commission or renewal, but skipping it is still a bad idea. RON notaries handle identity proofing, audio-visual recording, and electronic journal requirements that differ from traditional in-person work in ways that bite you if you get them wrong. Most RON platforms provide their own onboarding training as part of account setup, and working through it carefully is worth the hour.
Some counties and title companies require their preferred notaries to hold extra training certifications or platform-specific credentials before they accept RON-notarized documents. That's a business requirement, not a state one, but it matters if you work the real estate closing market.
Can a Colorado notary perform RON for signers in other states?
Yes, with conditions. A Colorado-commissioned notary can perform RON for signers located in other states, as long as the notary is physically in Colorado at the time of the notarization [1]. The authority follows where the notary sits, not where the signer sits.
The complication lands on the receiving end. The state or jurisdiction where the document gets recorded or filed might have its own rules about accepting RON-notarized documents from out-of-state notaries. Some states accept them freely; others require the notarization to comply with their state's RON law rather than Colorado's. If you regularly do cross-state RON work, verify the acceptance rules in the destination jurisdiction before you perform the notarization.
For real estate specifically, the title company or lender usually tells you which state's rules apply to a given closing. Follow their guidance and note it in your journal.
How does Colorado's RON renewal compare to nearby states?
Colorado's setup is simpler than most. Here's a quick comparison of key renewal variables across Colorado and three neighboring states:
| State | Commission Term | State RON Fee | Bond Required | Training Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 4 years [1] | $10 [2] | No [1] | No |
| Arizona | 4 years [3] | $43 [4] | No | No |
| Utah | 4 years | ~$30 (confirm) | No | No |
| New Mexico | 4 years | $20 (confirm) | No | No |
Arizona's higher fee reflects a different fee schedule, and its RON statute sits separate from the base notary law [4]. Colorado's $10 fee is among the lowest in the region. The real cost gap between states isn't the state fee. It's platform pricing and whether the approved vendor list limits your choices.
For a closer look at how other states structure renewal, see our guides on remote online notarization renewal in Arizona and remote online notarization renewal in Florida, both of which use more complex multi-step renewal systems.
What records does a Colorado RON notary have to keep?
Colorado's record-keeping rules for remote online notarizations are specific, and they carry real consequences if you ignore them.
You must keep [1]:
- An electronic journal of every RON notarization. Each entry records the date and time, the type of notarization, the name and address of each signer, the type of identification used, and the title or description of the document.
- The audio-visual recording of the complete session. Colorado requires these recordings for at least 10 years.
- Copies of the identity verification results (KBA and credential analysis) where the platform makes them available.
If you change platforms during an active commission, you're responsible for making sure your old records transfer or stay accessible. This is where notaries get burned: they cancel a platform subscription and find out the recordings lived only on the vendor's servers with no export option. Before you cancel any platform, export or download your recordings and journal data.
Colorado statute section 24-21.5-119 covers the notary's journal and record requirements [1]. Read it. It's short and written in plain language.
Step-by-step: how to renew your Colorado RON authorization
Here's the actual sequence for a Colorado notary whose commission is expiring and who wants to keep doing remote online notarizations.
Step 1: Log in to the Colorado Secretary of State online services portal at least 60 days before your commission expires. Don't wait until the week before.
Step 2: Complete the notary commission renewal application. Verify your name, address, and eligibility information. Pay the $10 application fee [2].
Step 3: After your new commission is approved and you have your new commission number, log in to your RON platform and update your commission information. Some platforms require you to re-upload your commission certificate or electronic seal credentials.
Step 4: If your digital certificate or electronic seal is tied to your old commission number, get a new one from your certificate authority or platform provider. This step is easy to forget and can leave you with an invalid electronic seal.
Step 5: Update any external records where your old commission number appears: title company vendor portals, signing service profiles, and any county recorder system where you're registered.
Step 6: Confirm your E&O insurance policy is current. If it's about to expire around the same time as your commission, renew both together and keep the documents in one folder.
The RONPath state kit for Colorado walks through each step with the specific forms and links for the current commission year. You can find it at /start.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for remote online notarization in Colorado?
Colorado doesn't issue a separate RON license. You need an active notary public commission from the Colorado Secretary of State plus registration with a state-approved RON platform. The commission costs $10 and lasts four years. There's no standalone RON credential, no RON exam, and no RON-specific license application. An active commission plus an approved platform is what authorizes you to perform remote online notarizations.
How much does remote online notarization cost in Colorado?
The state charges $10 to apply for or renew a notary commission, which includes RON authority. There's no separate state RON fee. Platform costs are additional and vary by vendor: expect roughly $20 to $50 per month for subscription plans or $10 to $25 per transaction on pay-as-you-go models. E&O insurance, if required by your platform, typically adds $30 to $100 per year. Digital certificates can add $50 to $150 annually if not bundled.
How long does remote online notarization take in Colorado?
Getting authorized takes a few days to a few weeks: the Secretary of State processes commission applications in a few business days, and platform onboarding runs same-day to two weeks. An individual RON session typically takes 10 to 20 minutes, including identity proofing, document review, and journal completion. The notarial act itself takes only a minute or two. Connectivity problems are the most common reason sessions run long.
How often do you need to renew a notary commission in Colorado?
Every four years. Colorado notary commissions expire four years from the date of issue. You renew through the Secretary of State's online portal. There's no grace period after expiration, so plan ahead. When the commission expires, RON authority expires with it. Mark your calendar 60 days before expiration and start the renewal then, not the week before.
Does Colorado require a bond for notaries doing remote online notarization?
No. Colorado does not require a surety bond for notary public commissions, including for notaries performing remote online notarizations. Some states (like Florida) require bonds; Colorado is not among them. Your RON platform may require errors and omissions insurance as a condition of service, but that's a platform requirement, not a state one. Confirm with your specific platform.
Can my Colorado RON authorization be revoked?
Yes. The Secretary of State can revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a notary commission for misconduct, fraud, or violations of the notary statutes in Title 24, Article 21.5. If your commission is revoked, your RON authority ends immediately. Accurate journal records and audio-visual recordings are your primary documentation in any dispute. Perform every session exactly as the statute requires.
What approved RON platforms can I use in Colorado?
Colorado keeps a list of approved RON platform vendors through the Secretary of State's office. The list changes as platforms apply and are approved or removed. You may only use platforms on the current approved list. Check the Secretary of State's notary page directly for the live list before you sign up with any provider. Using an unapproved platform invalidates your notarizations.
Do I have to keep audio-visual recordings of my RON sessions in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires RON notaries to retain audio-visual recordings of every session for at least 10 years under Colorado Revised Statutes Title 24, Article 21.5. You also need an electronic journal entry for each notarization. Before canceling any platform subscription, export or download all recordings and journal data. Losing access to required records is a compliance violation no matter why it happened.
Can a Colorado notary do RON for signers in other states?
Yes, as long as the notary is physically in Colorado during the session. Colorado's notary authority follows the notary's physical location, not the signer's. The state or jurisdiction where the document gets filed may have its own rules about accepting out-of-state RON-notarized documents. Always verify acceptance rules in the destination jurisdiction, especially for real estate transactions.
What happens if I let my Colorado notary commission expire?
Your RON authority ends the moment your commission expires. There's no grace period. Any RON sessions performed after expiration are legally invalid, which can expose you to civil liability. You must renew your commission before you notarize again. After renewal, update your commission number with your RON platform, since platforms often deactivate accounts tied to expired commissions.
Does Colorado require training to perform remote online notarizations?
No. Colorado doesn't mandate training for initial commission or renewal, including for RON. Even so, most RON platforms require you to finish their onboarding training before activating your account. And some title companies or lenders require their notary vendors to hold specific certifications. The state's hands-off approach doesn't mean you should skip learning the requirements in the statute and your platform's procedures.
How does Colorado RON renewal compare to other states?
Colorado is simpler and cheaper than most. The $10 commission fee is among the lowest regionally. Arizona charges $43 for its notary commission. Colorado requires no bond and no training. The 10-year audio-visual recording retention requirement is longer than many states (Arizona requires five years), which affects platform and storage choices. For a state-by-state comparison, see the renewal guides for Arizona and Florida linked in this article.
Do I need a new electronic seal after renewing my Colorado commission?
Usually yes, in practice. Your notary commission number changes when you renew. Most electronic seals and digital certificates encode the commission number, so an old seal reflects an expired commission. Check with your RON platform and your certificate authority about whether your existing credentials can be updated or whether you need new ones issued under your new commission number. Don't skip this; an incorrect seal can invalidate notarizations.
Sources
- Colorado Legislature, Colorado Revised Statutes Title 24 Article 21.5 (Notaries Public): Colorado RON authority, 4-year commission term, 10-year audio-visual recording retention requirement, no bond requirement, and journal requirements under C.R.S. Title 24, Article 21.5
- Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program: $10 notary commission application fee and online renewal portal through the Colorado Secretary of State
- Arizona Secretary of State, Remote Online Notarization: Arizona requires 5-year retention of RON audio-visual recordings; Arizona 4-year commission term
- Arizona Secretary of State, Notary Public: Arizona notary commission application fee of $43
- National Conference of State Legislatures, Remote Notarization: State-by-state variation in RON adoption, retention periods, and commission requirements
- Uniform Law Commission, Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (2018): Model RON provisions on real-time audio-video communication and identity proofing that Colorado's statute mirrors