Colorado Notary Training Course (RULONA) Exam Prep
Updated 2026 | 200+ Practice Questions & Verified Answers |
Ultimate Colorado Notary Public Certification Study Guide,
Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), Electronic
& Remote Online Notarization, Identity Verification, Notarial
Certificates, Journal Requirements, Ethics, Fraud Prevention,
Detailed Rationales
Question 1: Under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), what
is the primary responsibility of a notary public in Colorado?
A. To ensure the legal accuracy of the document being notarized.
B. To act as a legal advisor for the signer of the document.
C. To perform all notarial acts in accordance with the law, as the notary may be solely
liable for misconduct.
D. To represent the interests of their employer in every transaction.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To perform all notarial acts in accordance with the law,
as the notary may be solely liable for misconduct.
Rationale: RULONA establishes that a notary is responsible for performing all notarial
acts in accordance with the law and may be solely liable for misconduct . Notaries are
responsible to the people of the State of Colorado, not to a customer or employer . They
are not responsible for determining the legal accuracy of a document or providing legal
advice .
Question 2: A notary in Colorado is asked to notarize a document for a signer
who is not physically present. The signer wants to appear via a video call.
Under RULONA, what must the notary do?
A. Proceed with the notarization as long as the signer shows valid ID on the video call.
B. Refuse to perform the notarial act because the signer must be in the physical
presence of the notary.
C. Complete the notarization but note in the journal that the signer appeared remotely.
D. Proceed only if the notary has personally known the signer for more than five years.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Refuse to perform the notarial act because the signer
must be in the physical presence of the notary.
Rationale: A fundamental requirement under RULONA is that the signer must be in the
physical presence of the notary at the time of the notarial act . This is a core principle
upheld by case law (e.g., Klem v. Washington Mutual Bank) . While remote notarization is
possible in Colorado, it requires specific approval and use of an approved remote notary
provider, it is not permitted simply via a general video call .
Question 3: A Colorado notary public is presented with a document that has
blank spaces in the body. What is the notary's proper course of action under
RULONA?
A. Fill in the blanks with "N/A" to protect the client and complete the notarization.
B. Notarize the document as-is, since the contents are outside the notary's purview.
,C. Refuse to perform the notarial act until the blanks are filled or crossed out by the
signer.
D. Have the principal sign a legal waiver acknowledging the blanks, then notarize.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Refuse to perform the notarial act until the blanks are
filled or crossed out by the signer.
Rationale: RULONA explicitly prohibits a notary from notarizing any blank document .
This means any space that could be filled in after the notarization must be completed or
marked (e.g., with "N/A" or a line) by the client before the notarial act is performed .
The notary cannot alter the document themselves .
Question 4: When a member of the public makes a written request to inspect a
Colorado notary's journal, what is the notary's obligation?
A. Mail a copy of the entire journal to the requester within 10 business days.
B. Allow the inspection to happen in the notary's physical presence.
C. Refuse the request because the journal is strictly for the notary's personal records.
D. Provide the requester with a redacted digital copy of all entries.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Allow the inspection to happen in the notary's physical
presence.
Rationale: While the journal is a public record in Colorado, inspection must occur in the
notary's physical presence. The notary is not required to release the journal or a copy to
the requester . This protects the privacy of the signers and the integrity of the journal.
Question 5: A notary is asked to perform a notarization for a document written
in a foreign language. The notary does not speak or read that language, but the
signer speaks English. Under RULONA, what should the notary do?
A. Refuse the notarization because they cannot understand the document's content.
B. Proceed with the notarization if the document has a notarial certificate in English and
the signer understands the act.
C. Administer the oath or affirmation in the foreign language using a translation app.
D. Proceed only if the signer provides a certified translation of the document.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Proceed with the notarization if the document has a
notarial certificate in English and the signer understands the act.
Rationale: A notary is not responsible for the content of the document, only the notarial
act itself . If the document contains a notarial certificate in English that the notary can
complete, and the signer understands the significance of the notarization, the notary
may proceed . The notary is not certifying the accuracy of the translation or the content.
Question 6: According to RULONA, which of the following is NOT one of a
notary's authorized powers?
A. To take acknowledgments.
B. To administer oaths and affirmations.
,C. To certify copies of documents.
D. To provide legal advice on real estate transactions.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. To provide legal advice on real estate transactions.
Rationale: The authorized powers of a Colorado notary include administering oaths
and affirmations, taking acknowledgments, witnessing signatures, and certifying copies .
A notary is specifically prohibited from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law,
which includes providing legal advice . Notaries must not advise clients about the
transaction for which notarization is requested .
Question 7: A Colorado notary public changes their home address. Under
RULONA, what is the deadline to update this information with the Secretary of
State's office?
A. Immediately upon moving.
B. Within 30 days of the change.
C. Within 60 days of the change.
D. When the notary commission is up for renewal.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Within 30 days of the change.
Rationale: Commissioned notaries are required to update the Secretary of State's office
with any changes to their name, home address, or work address within 30 days of the
change . This ensures the commission information remains accurate and current.
Question 8: What is the maximum fee a Colorado notary may charge for a
traditional paper notarization?
A. $5.00 per document.
B. $10.00 per document.
C. $15.00 per document.
D. $25.00 per document.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $15.00 per document.
Rationale: The statutory fee cap for a traditional paper notarial act in Colorado is
$15.00 . A higher fee of $25.00 is permitted for acts involving an electronic or remote
signature . The fee must include all duties and functions required to complete the
notarial act .
Question 9: How long is a Colorado notary required to retain their notary
journal after the last notarial act is recorded?
A. 5 years.
B. 7 years.
C. 10 years.
D. 15 years.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 10 years.
, Rationale: Under RULONA, all notaries must retain their notary journal (both physical
and electronic, including audio-video recordings for remote notarizations) for exactly ten
(10) years following the last recorded notarial act . This is a critical recordkeeping
requirement .
Question 10: A notary is presented with a U.S. passport as identification. When
recording this in the journal, which of the following is the correct practice?
A. Record the full passport number.
B. Record only the last 4 digits of the passport number.
C. Record only the expiration date.
D. Record the issuing authority and date of issuance.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Record only the last 4 digits of the passport number.
Rationale: To protect the signer's privacy and prevent identity theft, a notary should
never record the full, unredacted serial number of an identification document in their
journal . Recording only the last four digits is a standard best practice to mitigate risk
while still providing a means to identify the credential used .
Question 11: What is the fundamental difference between an oath and an
affirmation?
A. An oath is a sworn statement, while an affirmation is an unsworn statement.
B. An oath is used for acknowledgments, while an affirmation is used for jurats.
C. An oath is a statement sworn to a deity, while an affirmation is a non-religious sworn
statement.
D. An oath is made under penalty of perjury, while an affirmation is not.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An oath is a statement sworn to a deity, while an
affirmation is a non-religious sworn statement.
Rationale: An oath is a solemn declaration that invokes a deity (e.g., "So help me God"),
whereas an affirmation is a legally equivalent, non-religious pledge of truthfulness (e.g.,
"Under penalty of perjury") . Both are made under penalty of perjury and serve the
same legal function .
Question 12: During a jurat, what must the notary confirm?
A. That the document is accurate and legally sound.
B. That the signer is financially capable of fulfilling the document's terms.
C. That the signer signed the document, was administered an oath or affirmation, and
appeared in person.
D. That the signer had the document reviewed by an attorney.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. That the signer signed the document, was
administered an oath or affirmation, and appeared in person.
Rationale: In a jurat, the notary certifies three key elements: the signer appeared before
them, the signer signed the document in their presence, and the notary administered an
Updated 2026 | 200+ Practice Questions & Verified Answers |
Ultimate Colorado Notary Public Certification Study Guide,
Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), Electronic
& Remote Online Notarization, Identity Verification, Notarial
Certificates, Journal Requirements, Ethics, Fraud Prevention,
Detailed Rationales
Question 1: Under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), what
is the primary responsibility of a notary public in Colorado?
A. To ensure the legal accuracy of the document being notarized.
B. To act as a legal advisor for the signer of the document.
C. To perform all notarial acts in accordance with the law, as the notary may be solely
liable for misconduct.
D. To represent the interests of their employer in every transaction.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To perform all notarial acts in accordance with the law,
as the notary may be solely liable for misconduct.
Rationale: RULONA establishes that a notary is responsible for performing all notarial
acts in accordance with the law and may be solely liable for misconduct . Notaries are
responsible to the people of the State of Colorado, not to a customer or employer . They
are not responsible for determining the legal accuracy of a document or providing legal
advice .
Question 2: A notary in Colorado is asked to notarize a document for a signer
who is not physically present. The signer wants to appear via a video call.
Under RULONA, what must the notary do?
A. Proceed with the notarization as long as the signer shows valid ID on the video call.
B. Refuse to perform the notarial act because the signer must be in the physical
presence of the notary.
C. Complete the notarization but note in the journal that the signer appeared remotely.
D. Proceed only if the notary has personally known the signer for more than five years.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Refuse to perform the notarial act because the signer
must be in the physical presence of the notary.
Rationale: A fundamental requirement under RULONA is that the signer must be in the
physical presence of the notary at the time of the notarial act . This is a core principle
upheld by case law (e.g., Klem v. Washington Mutual Bank) . While remote notarization is
possible in Colorado, it requires specific approval and use of an approved remote notary
provider, it is not permitted simply via a general video call .
Question 3: A Colorado notary public is presented with a document that has
blank spaces in the body. What is the notary's proper course of action under
RULONA?
A. Fill in the blanks with "N/A" to protect the client and complete the notarization.
B. Notarize the document as-is, since the contents are outside the notary's purview.
,C. Refuse to perform the notarial act until the blanks are filled or crossed out by the
signer.
D. Have the principal sign a legal waiver acknowledging the blanks, then notarize.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Refuse to perform the notarial act until the blanks are
filled or crossed out by the signer.
Rationale: RULONA explicitly prohibits a notary from notarizing any blank document .
This means any space that could be filled in after the notarization must be completed or
marked (e.g., with "N/A" or a line) by the client before the notarial act is performed .
The notary cannot alter the document themselves .
Question 4: When a member of the public makes a written request to inspect a
Colorado notary's journal, what is the notary's obligation?
A. Mail a copy of the entire journal to the requester within 10 business days.
B. Allow the inspection to happen in the notary's physical presence.
C. Refuse the request because the journal is strictly for the notary's personal records.
D. Provide the requester with a redacted digital copy of all entries.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Allow the inspection to happen in the notary's physical
presence.
Rationale: While the journal is a public record in Colorado, inspection must occur in the
notary's physical presence. The notary is not required to release the journal or a copy to
the requester . This protects the privacy of the signers and the integrity of the journal.
Question 5: A notary is asked to perform a notarization for a document written
in a foreign language. The notary does not speak or read that language, but the
signer speaks English. Under RULONA, what should the notary do?
A. Refuse the notarization because they cannot understand the document's content.
B. Proceed with the notarization if the document has a notarial certificate in English and
the signer understands the act.
C. Administer the oath or affirmation in the foreign language using a translation app.
D. Proceed only if the signer provides a certified translation of the document.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Proceed with the notarization if the document has a
notarial certificate in English and the signer understands the act.
Rationale: A notary is not responsible for the content of the document, only the notarial
act itself . If the document contains a notarial certificate in English that the notary can
complete, and the signer understands the significance of the notarization, the notary
may proceed . The notary is not certifying the accuracy of the translation or the content.
Question 6: According to RULONA, which of the following is NOT one of a
notary's authorized powers?
A. To take acknowledgments.
B. To administer oaths and affirmations.
,C. To certify copies of documents.
D. To provide legal advice on real estate transactions.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. To provide legal advice on real estate transactions.
Rationale: The authorized powers of a Colorado notary include administering oaths
and affirmations, taking acknowledgments, witnessing signatures, and certifying copies .
A notary is specifically prohibited from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law,
which includes providing legal advice . Notaries must not advise clients about the
transaction for which notarization is requested .
Question 7: A Colorado notary public changes their home address. Under
RULONA, what is the deadline to update this information with the Secretary of
State's office?
A. Immediately upon moving.
B. Within 30 days of the change.
C. Within 60 days of the change.
D. When the notary commission is up for renewal.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Within 30 days of the change.
Rationale: Commissioned notaries are required to update the Secretary of State's office
with any changes to their name, home address, or work address within 30 days of the
change . This ensures the commission information remains accurate and current.
Question 8: What is the maximum fee a Colorado notary may charge for a
traditional paper notarization?
A. $5.00 per document.
B. $10.00 per document.
C. $15.00 per document.
D. $25.00 per document.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $15.00 per document.
Rationale: The statutory fee cap for a traditional paper notarial act in Colorado is
$15.00 . A higher fee of $25.00 is permitted for acts involving an electronic or remote
signature . The fee must include all duties and functions required to complete the
notarial act .
Question 9: How long is a Colorado notary required to retain their notary
journal after the last notarial act is recorded?
A. 5 years.
B. 7 years.
C. 10 years.
D. 15 years.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 10 years.
, Rationale: Under RULONA, all notaries must retain their notary journal (both physical
and electronic, including audio-video recordings for remote notarizations) for exactly ten
(10) years following the last recorded notarial act . This is a critical recordkeeping
requirement .
Question 10: A notary is presented with a U.S. passport as identification. When
recording this in the journal, which of the following is the correct practice?
A. Record the full passport number.
B. Record only the last 4 digits of the passport number.
C. Record only the expiration date.
D. Record the issuing authority and date of issuance.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Record only the last 4 digits of the passport number.
Rationale: To protect the signer's privacy and prevent identity theft, a notary should
never record the full, unredacted serial number of an identification document in their
journal . Recording only the last four digits is a standard best practice to mitigate risk
while still providing a means to identify the credential used .
Question 11: What is the fundamental difference between an oath and an
affirmation?
A. An oath is a sworn statement, while an affirmation is an unsworn statement.
B. An oath is used for acknowledgments, while an affirmation is used for jurats.
C. An oath is a statement sworn to a deity, while an affirmation is a non-religious sworn
statement.
D. An oath is made under penalty of perjury, while an affirmation is not.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An oath is a statement sworn to a deity, while an
affirmation is a non-religious sworn statement.
Rationale: An oath is a solemn declaration that invokes a deity (e.g., "So help me God"),
whereas an affirmation is a legally equivalent, non-religious pledge of truthfulness (e.g.,
"Under penalty of perjury") . Both are made under penalty of perjury and serve the
same legal function .
Question 12: During a jurat, what must the notary confirm?
A. That the document is accurate and legally sound.
B. That the signer is financially capable of fulfilling the document's terms.
C. That the signer signed the document, was administered an oath or affirmation, and
appeared in person.
D. That the signer had the document reviewed by an attorney.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. That the signer signed the document, was
administered an oath or affirmation, and appeared in person.
Rationale: In a jurat, the notary certifies three key elements: the signer appeared before
them, the signer signed the document in their presence, and the notary administered an
