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Colorado Notary Public Exam Cram Sheet (2026)
The highest-yield points on the Colorado Notary Publicexam, grouped by the exam's real content areas. Print it, review the ones you keep missing, then drill them with free practice questions.
22questions
0 mintime limit
80to pass
5content areas
Notarial Acts and Certificates
26% of the exam- An acknowledgment certifies the identified signer appeared and acknowledged signing voluntarily.
- A jurat certifies the signer signed in the notary's presence and swore or affirmed the statement is true.
- A notary may certify a copy the custodian presents, but not vital records or already-recorded public documents.
- Choosing the notarial act for a signer is the unauthorized practice of law.
- A jurat requires an oath or affirmation; an acknowledgment does not.
- For a jurat the signer must sign in front of the notary.
- An oath and affirmation carry equal legal weight.
- Both acts require identifying the signer.
- Personal appearance is required for every notarization.
- Remote acts require an approved audio-video platform with identity verification.
- A text, phone vouch, or prior acquaintance never satisfies personal appearance.
- State the venue and the date of the act.
- Sign as commissioned and affix the official stamp with the commission ID number and expiration date.
- Colorado does not require a thumbprint; never record a Social Security number.
- Never state that a document is legally valid in the certificate.
Identifying the Signer
18% of the exam- Personal knowledge means the notary knows the individual well enough to have no reasonable doubt.
- Satisfactory evidence means an acceptable ID or the oath of a credible witness.
- A signer stating their own name is never sufficient.
- A current government photo ID with a signature and identifying number qualifies: driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
- Membership cards, Social Security cards, and utility bills do not qualify.
- The ID should be current so its features can be confirmed.
- The witness must personally know the signer and be known to or identified by the notary.
- The notary must place the witness under oath before relying on them.
- A witness should have no financial interest in the transaction.
- If identity cannot be established, the notary must refuse the act.
Records and Official Stamp
18% of the exam- The Secretary of State strongly encourages keeping a record of all official acts.
- Any journal kept must include the signature of each individual served and any fee charged.
- A good record helps reconstruct and defend an act if it is later questioned.
- Do not store unnecessary sensitive data such as account numbers.
- The stamp shows the notary's name and the words 'Notary Public, State of Colorado.'
- It shows the notary's commission identification number and expiration date.
- The impression must be legible and reproducible on the document.
- The stamp never contains the signer's information.
- Keep the stamp secure and under the notary's control.
- Report a lost or stolen stamp promptly and obtain a replacement.
- When the commission ends, dispose of the stamp so it cannot be misused.
Commission, No-Bond Rule, and the Exam
18% of the exam- An applicant must be at least 18 and able to read and write English.
- The applicant must reside in Colorado or have a primary place of employment or practice in the state.
- The commission is valid for four years.
- Citizenship and property ownership are not required.
- Colorado does not require a notary to file a surety bond.
- The notary remains personally liable for misconduct despite the absence of a bond.
- Errors-and-omissions insurance is optional but often recommended.
- Training and the exam are free and online through the Secretary of State's eLearning system.
- The exam is open-book, and 80% is required to pass.
- The exam certificate is valid for 90 days, within which the applicant must apply for the commission.
- Open-book success still depends on knowing the handbook.
Prohibited Acts, Fees, and Liability
20% of the exam- A standard in-person notarization is capped at $15.
- An electronic or remote notarization is capped at $25.
- A notary may charge less than the cap or nothing.
- Record any fee charged in the notary's record.
- A notary may not act with a disqualifying financial or beneficial interest in the transaction.
- A notary may never notarize their own signature.
- A notary must refuse when the signer is absent, unidentified, unwilling, or coerced.
- Do not give legal advice or opine on a document's validity.
- Do not choose the notarial certificate for the signer.
- Do not advertise notary services as legal services or use a misleading title.
- Knowingly making a false certificate can bring civil liability and criminal charges.
- The Secretary of State may investigate and revoke a commission for cause.
- With no bond, the notary's personal liability is the primary source of recovery for the public.
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Study aid, not a substitute for the official material — always confirm the current rule with Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Testing. Last verified: August 2026.