Notary Public FAQs
Electronic notary (eNotary) information
Q1. What is an electronic notary public?
A1. An electronic notary public can notarize documents electronically. This option is only available to Colorado notaries who are currently commissioned and have been approved as eNotaries by the Secretary of State's Office.
Q2. Does this mean that I can notarize a document without being in the same room as the signer?
A2. No. The signer must be in the physical presence of the notary to affirm, swear to, or acknowledge the document being notarized electronically. Electronic notarization is different from remote notarization.
Q3. How are electronic notarizations used?
A3. An e-notarization is a document in electronic format that is signed and notarized electronically, then filed or transmitted electronically to its intended destination. They may be used in transactions between private parties who agree to it (such as a contract that is notarized and then e-mailed between the parties).
Some counties in Colorado are accepting certain forms of electronic documents for filing, but you must have a contractual arrangement with the county.
Q4. What does an electronic notarization look like?
A4.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
[Electronic Record Document]
I, John Doe [Principal’s name] being of sound mind and legal capacity, do hereby appoint Robert Smith as my
true and lawful attorney in fact, to act for me in my name, place, and stead, and to manage my financial affairs
on my behalf.
In witness whereof, I have signed this Power of Attorney of my own free will.
John Doe
Principal’s signature
July 1, 2018
Date
****************************
STATE OF COLORADO
COUNTY OF DENVER
Signed and affirmed before me on July 1, 2018 by John Doe.
Signature: Mary Q. Notary
NOTARY PUBLIC
STATE OF COLORADO
Notary ID: 20171234567
My commission expires July 1, 2021
DAN #20171234567-1234
Q5. How do I apply to become an eNotary?
A5. Log in to our online system and look for the eNotary application link on the left side bar or under “Actions” on your Summary page.
Q6. Do e-notarizations require a specific type of software?
A6. You must select any tamper-evident technology and provide our office with the name of the software you’re using.
Q7. What is a "DAN"?
A7. “DAN” means the unique document authentication number issued by the Secretary of State and required by section 24-21-520(3), C.R.S., for electronic notarizations. [1]
A notary must also include his or her notary identification number in an electronic notarization.
Q8. What should I do if I lose control of a DAN?
A8. Log in to your account to void the specific lost DANs. Select “Manage my numbers” from the eNotary section on your Summary page. Then, select the batch of DANs you need to void. Select the checkbox next to the DAN and then select “Void numbers”.
Q9. How do I request more DANs from the Secretary of State?
A9. Log in to your account and select “Get more numbers” under the eNotary section on your Summary page to request additional DANs.
Q10. Can I call if I have questions?
A10. You can contact us at notary@coloradosos.gov or 303 894-2200, option 2.
[1] See 8 CCR 1505-11, rule 1.4