Colorado Notary Exam Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Colorado Notary Exam facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Can a signer use an affirmation instead of a sworn oath during a jurat in Colorado? → Yes, an affirmation is legally equivalent to an oath
2. A friend asks a Colorado notary to stamp a blank piece of paper with their official seal 'just in case they need it later.' The notary should: → Refuse, as applying the seal to a blank document is a serious violation
3. Which type of criminal conviction may disqualify an applicant from receiving a Colorado notary commission? → A felony or crime involving fraud or dishonesty
4. Under Colorado law, a notary public commission expires after how many years? → 4 years
5. When performing an acknowledgment for a corporate officer signing on behalf of a company, what must the notary confirm? → That the signer is authorized to act on behalf of the entity in that capacity
6. For Colorado remote online notarization, where may the signer be physically located? → Anywhere in the world, subject to applicable law restrictions
7. Which statement best describes a Colorado notary's duty of impartiality? → Serve all qualified requesters without bias, discrimination, or personal interest
8. Which of the following notarial acts in Colorado has a maximum fee of $25 per act rather than $10? → Remote online notarization
9. A signer presents a document that appears to be an altered government-issued ID. What is a Colorado notary's proper course of action? → Refuse to perform the notarial act and, if appropriate, report suspected fraud
10. Under Colorado law, can a signer waive a notary's conflict of interest so the notarization may proceed? → No, signers cannot waive the impartiality requirement; a different notary must be used
11. A Colorado notary is the sole named trustee of a trust that is a party to the document being notarized. What should the notary do? → Decline — the notary holds a legal interest in the document by serving as sole trustee
12. What should a notary do if the certificate wording on a document is missing? → Attach an appropriate loose certificate with the correct notarial wording
13. Can a notary charge extra for notarizing documents after business hours? → Yes, additional convenience fees may be charged beyond the statutory notarization fee
14. Can a notary notarize their own signature? → No, a notary can never notarize their own signature
15. A Colorado notary loses their journal. What is the required next step? → Notify the Colorado Secretary of State within 10 days
16. A notary in Colorado who willfully notarizes a document knowing the signer was not present may face: → Commission suspension or revocation and potential criminal penalties
17. Under Colorado law, may a notary employer demand possession of the notary's journal? → No, the journal belongs solely to the notary, not the employer
18. What is the consequence of affixing a notary seal impression that is too faint to be photocopied? → The document must be re-notarized with a clear impression
19. Where must a Colorado notary's surety bond be filed? → The Colorado Secretary of State
20. Which of the following best describes the purpose of requiring a surety bond for Colorado notaries? → To provide a financial remedy for the public harmed by notarial misconduct
21. A signer for a Colorado RON presents a state ID from another U.S. state. Is this acceptable? → Yes, a government-issued photo ID from any U.S. state is generally acceptable
22. May a Colorado notary notarize their own signature on a document? → No, a notary is prohibited from notarizing their own signature
23. How long does a Colorado notary's surety bond typically remain in effect? → Four years
24. Which identity proofing methods are required for Colorado remote online notarization? → Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
25. If a Colorado notary is genuinely unsure whether a particular relationship creates a disqualifying conflict, what is the safest course of action? → Decline and refer the signer to another notary until the conflict question is resolved
26. Under Colorado law, which act requires the notary to administer an oath or affirmation AND watch the signer sign the document? → Jurat (verification on oath or affirmation)
27. A Colorado notary may describe the difference between a 'jurat' and an 'acknowledgment' to a customer because: → Explaining notarial certificate types is part of the notary's official role
28. A blind signer needs a document notarized in Colorado. What is the notary's primary responsibility? → Ensure the signer has been made aware of the document's contents before signing
29. After a Colorado notary's commission expires, how long must they retain their notarial journal? → 10 years from the last notarial act recorded in the journal
30. What is a potential consequence for a Colorado notary who engages in unauthorized practice of law? → Criminal charges, civil liability, and commission revocation