A Colorado notary acknowledgment form is completed by a notary public to authenticate the identities of the signers and verify that they willingly signed the document. It involves the notary certifying that the individuals appeared before them, acknowledged their signatures, and affirmed that they signed the document voluntarily without any duress or coercion.
The form typically includes essential details such as the county where it was executed, the date, the name(s) of the person(s) involved, and the notary’s signature and seal. It’s important to note that the document must be presented to the notary public with the signature spaces left blank if it requires acknowledgment. The notary will oversee the signing process or verify existing signatures and then complete the acknowledgment form accordingly.
Legal Considerations
Statute: Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 24, Article 21, Part 5.
Form of Acknowledgment: According to § 24-21-516, the information on short form certificates of notarial acts must include the state and county, date and name(s) of individual(s) involved, signature and stamp of the notarial officer, title of office, and expiry date of the notarial officer’s commission.
Notary Term of Commission: Four years (§ 24-21-521(6)).
Notary Handbook: The Notary Handbook of the Secretary of State’s office is a valuable guide outlining the duties and responsibilities for notarization procedures in the state.
Is Online Notarization Legal in Colorado?
Yes, after passing Senate Bill 20-096, the state now allows remote online notarization (RON).
Following Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-21-514.5, online notarization requires verifying the identity of the remotely located individual through secure communication technology, including personal recognition or presenting valid identification credentials via an audiovisual transmission.
The notary must ensure the individual’s location aligns with specific criteria, either within the state, within the United States, or, if outside the U.S., under certain conditions related to the document’s purpose. Before the initial remote notarization, the notary must inform the Secretary of State, identifying the system they intend to use and confirm compliance with state regulations.
During the remote notarization process, the notary must use secure authentication procedures and ensure real-time participation and interaction among all parties involved. Additionally, a thorough audio-video recording of the session must be stored securely.
For online notarization, an e-notary may charge a maximum fee of $25.
How to Notarize
Step 1 – Locate a Notary
Unless you are seeking a particular notary, you can search for one located the nearest.
Notarization services are accessible at various public locations, with common options including banks or credit Unions, UPS Stores, or private notary services.
As per Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-21-529, the highest fee allowed for notarization stands at $15 per document. This fee includes several components, such as verifying the signer’s identity, administering an oath or affirmation when necessary, and affixing the notary’s signature, notarial certificate, and stamp onto the document.
Step 2 – Present the Paperwork
Bring the document to the notary public for review, ensuring that all individuals signing the document are present and personally identify themselves before the notary.
This identification can be achieved through various means, such as presenting government-issued photo identification or being recognized personally by the notary.
Step 3 – Sign the Document
For acknowledgments, signatures may already be present on the form, requiring all involved parties to declare their voluntary signature.
In cases of different notarial acts, all participants must sign the document in the notary’s presence and affirm the accuracy of its contents.
Step 4 – Seal the Certificate
Upon fulfilling the required duties, the notary can proceed to date, sign, and affix the seal on the relevant statement, form, or notarial certificate.
How to Verify a Notary
- Go to the Colorado Secretary of State website’s Verify a Notary section to check the status and credentials of a notary.
- Add as much information as available into the search field, ensuring at least the last name is included, then select “Search” to proceed with the verification process.
- You can access details such as the notary’s ID, commission start and end dates, as well as their current status during the verification process.
How to Write (for Notary)
- Download a notary acknowledgment form in PDF and Word formats.
- In order for the form to be considered valid, essential details such as the county, date, the name of the person being acknowledged, the notary signature, commission expiration, and the affixing of the notary seal must be accurately provided.
