Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Colorado: A Plain-English Overview

Remote Online Notarization—usually shortened to RON—is exactly what it sounds like: a notarization done over live audio-video instead of across a physical desk.

If you’ve ever thought, “I can sign documents from my couch, but I still have to drive somewhere to get them notarized?”—RON is Colorado’s answer to that problem.

Below is a plain-English explanation of how RON works in Colorado, what it can and can’t be used for, and what you should have ready so the appointment doesn’t turn into an unplanned internet troubleshooting session.

What RON is (and what it isn’t)

RON is a notarization of an electronic document using real-time audio-video communication. The notary and signer are in different locations, but they’re meeting face-to-face on camera, live.

RON is not:

• “I’ll record myself signing and send the video to the notary later.” Colorado explicitly says no—the notary must witness the act in real time.

• A workaround to notarize paper “as-is.” Colorado’s remote notarization authority is tied to electronic records.

The one location rule people miss

Here’s the simple way to remember it:

✅ The notary must be physically in Colorado.

Colorado law requires the notary to be located within the state during the remote notarization, and the venue is recorded as the Colorado location where the notary is sitting.

✅ The signer can be:

• In Colorado

• In another U.S. state

• Outside the United States, but only if extra conditions are met (more on that below)

If the signer is outside the U.S., the signer must confirm the document relates to something meaningfully connected to the U.S. (a U.S. court/government filing, U.S. property, or a U.S.-connected transaction), and the notary must not have actual knowledge the act is prohibited where the signer is physically located.

Who is allowed to perform RON in Colorado?

Not every notary in Colorado automatically does RON.

To perform remote notarizations, a notary must be:

• A currently commissioned Colorado notary with Active status, and

• Approved as a remote notary, including completing the required training/exam and applying through the state’s system

Also, before doing their first remote notarization, the notary must notify the Secretary of State and identify the remote notarization system(s) they intend to use.

What kinds of documents can be notarized remotely?

If the signer is within the United States, remote notarization can generally be used for electronic documents that are otherwise allowed under Colorado notary law.

But Colorado draws some bright red lines.

🚫 RON may not be used for:

• Records relating to the electoral process (including things like certain petition circulator affidavits)

• Wills/codicils, except as specifically allowed under Colorado’s electronic wills law

If you’re unsure whether your document falls into a restricted category, it’s a good time to ask before you schedule—because a notary is allowed to refuse when they aren’t satisfied the legal requirements are met.

What actually happens during a Colorado RON session?

Think of it as a secure, recorded video meeting where the notary has to do three main things:

1. Identify you

2. Confirm you’re signing knowingly and voluntarily

3. Complete the notarial certificate properly

Colorado requires the remote notarization to happen in a single, real-time session, and the system must let the notary, signer, and any required witness view the same electronic record, with signatures and changes made in real time.

A typical session looks like this:

1) You upload (or receive) the electronic document

You’ll usually be instructed not to sign until the notary is watching—same as in-person notarization.

2) Identity verification (“prove you are you”)

Colorado allows identity verification through personal knowledge, a credible witness method, or remote identity proofing methods such as credential analysis (ID checking) plus additional verification.

In many RON platforms, this feels like:

• Photographing your government ID

• Answering a short “identity quiz” (knowledge-based questions)

Colorado’s provider protocols describe a KBA-style quiz of at least five questions, with time limits and a pass threshold.

3) Live video meeting

You and the notary must be able to see and hear each other live—not “close enough,” not “mostly,” but truly real time.

If the audio/video drops or the session is interrupted, Colorado’s rules require restarting the process from the beginning. 

4) You sign electronically; the notary completes the certificate

The notarial certificate must indicate the act was performed using audio-video communication.

Colorado’s remote-notary rules also require the remote notary’s electronic signature to match what’s on file with the state, and the seal must match the content/appearance of the notary’s stamp—plus the end result must be tamper-evident (changes after the fact should be detectable).

5) Journal + recording

Remote notarizations are recorded in a tamper-evident electronic journal, and the provider used is included in the journal entry.

Colorado law also addresses audio-video recording requirements: the signer must be told about the recording and storage details, must explicitly consent, and the recording must be stored securely in compliance with state rules.

Colorado’s statute says a notary must keep a journal for 10 years after the last entry, and the rules tie the security/retention concepts for recordings to the same journal standards.

What you should have ready as a signer (the “no drama” checklist)

To make your RON appointment smooth, prepare:

• A government-issued ID that isn’t expired

• A device with a working camera + microphone (phone can work, but a laptop is often easier)

• Stable internet (if you’re on shaky Wi-Fi, sit close to the router or switch networks)

• A quiet, well-lit spot where you can be on camera

• Your document ready to sign but not signed yet

• If you’re outside the U.S., be ready to confirm how the document relates to the U.S. (court/government filing, U.S. property, or U.S.-connected transaction)

What does RON cost in Colorado?

Colorado’s remote notarization FAQ states the notary may charge up to $25 for a remote notarial act (tied to the notary fee statute).

One practical note: RON platforms/providers often charge their own separate technology fee, which is distinct from the notary’s fee. The state FAQ also warns that most providers charge for services.

Quick FAQ

Can a Colorado notary do RON while traveling out of state?No—Colorado says the notary must be physically in Colorado at the time of the act.

Can I do RON for someone in another state?Yes, as long as the notary is in Colorado.

Can we “just use Zoom”?RON generally requires a RON provider system that meets Colorado’s requirements (real-time, identity proofing options, recording/storage standards, tamper-evident document handling, etc.).

Can I send the notary a signed document and hop on video afterward?Usually no—RON is built around the notary supervising signing/acknowledgment live and confirming the record is the same one everyone is seeing in real time.

Final note (friendly, but important)

This post is a general overview of Colorado’s RON framework—not legal advice. Document acceptance (especially for real estate, courts, or agencies) can depend on the receiving party’s requirements in addition to notary law. When in doubt, check what the receiving organization will accept, and confirm the latest Colorado rules through the Secretary of State resources.