Not a government website. We are a private company, not affiliated with any Secretary of State, notary commissioning office or contractor licensing board. Renewal applications are filed directly with your state.
State of Colorado notary renewal in short
Colorado asks every renewing notary to repeat the training and pass the exam, the same as a new applicant. Both are free through the Secretary of State, and you upload the two certificates with your online application, together with a notarized affirmation form.[1]
Unlike most states, Colorado does not make a lapsed notary start again. If your commission has already expired, you still use the renewal application with fresh certificates and the same $10 fee, and you should not apply as a new notary if you held a Colorado commission before.[1]
Colorado rules side by side with other states: how to renew a notary commission. Other states: New York notary renewal, Texas notary renewal, Florida notary renewal, Illinois notary renewal, California notary renewal, North Carolina notary renewal, New Jersey notary renewal, Georgia notary renewal, Pennsylvania notary renewal.
Colorado notary renewal requirements
This table is what Colorado Secretary of State and C.R.S. 24-21-501 et seq. say, read on 2026-11-15. Where they say nothing, the row says so instead of guessing.
| Commission term | 4 years.[1] |
|---|---|
| Earliest day to apply | You can renew up to 90 days before your commission expires.[1] |
| State fee | $10 to renew online by card; a remote notary application is another $10.[3][1] |
| Bond | No bond is required.[2] |
| Course to renew | Required again: a training course at every renewal, free through the Secretary of State's eLearning or from a provider on its list.[1] |
| Exam to renew | Yes: the online notary exam again at every renewal, free from the Secretary of State.[1] |
| Fingerprints or background check | No fingerprinting step is listed. A felony, a dishonesty misdemeanor in the past 5 years or a prior revocation can disqualify you.[1][2] |
| Oath | You upload a notarized affirmation form with the online application; there is no county filing.[1] |
| Seal or stamp | Check with the Colorado Secretary of State. |
| Journal | Check with the Colorado Secretary of State. |
| Errors and omissions insurance | No. The Secretary of State suggests it but does not require it.[2] |
No bond and no county step
Colorado requires no bond; errors and omissions insurance is suggested but optional.[2] There is no county filing either: the notarized affirmation goes in with the application.[1] Remote notaries apply separately.[1]
How to renew a Colorado notary commission, step by step
Colorado renewal is 4 steps, in this order.[1][3]
- Take the training course (free eLearning from the Secretary of State, or a provider on its list).
- Pass the free online notary exam and save both certificates.
- Fill out the affirmation form and have it notarized.
- Within 90 days of expiration, renew online, upload the certificates and affirmation, and pay $10.
You apply to Colorado Secretary of State yourself: Colorado notary page. The state decides the application and its timing.
If your Colorado commission already expired
An expired Colorado commission is still renewed, not started over: you send the training and exam certificates with a renewal application and pay the same $10. If you were a Colorado notary before, do not apply as a new notary.[1]
After a lapse: course yes[1]; exam required[1].
Name or address change during your commission
Check with the Colorado Secretary of State.
Electronic and remote online notarization: Remote notaries file a separate application through the Secretary of State.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How do I renew my notary in Colorado?
Do I have to retake the Colorado notary exam to renew?
Yes. The training course and the online exam are required at every renewal; both are free from the Secretary of State.[1]
Can I renew an expired Colorado notary commission?
Yes. An expired commission is renewed with new training and exam certificates and the same $10 fee; do not apply as a new notary.[1]