Key Takeaways
- Cannot notarize documents with blanks or unfilled spaces
- Cannot notarize if you have a direct financial or beneficial interest
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot notarize without the signer personally appearing
- Cannot notarize if the signer cannot be properly identified
Last updated: January 2026
Prohibited Acts Under Colorado Law
Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-21-525 explicitly outlines actions that notaries are forbidden from performing. Violations can result in serious consequences.
Statutory Prohibitions
C.R.S. 24-21-525 - Prohibited Acts
| Prohibition | Description |
|---|---|
| Blank documents | Cannot notarize records that are blank |
| Unfilled blanks | Cannot notarize documents with unfilled blanks in text |
| Financial interest | Cannot notarize if notary has direct financial or beneficial interest |
Core Prohibited Acts
1. Notarizing Blank or Incomplete Documents
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Document completely blank | REFUSE |
| Signature lines blank | May proceed (signer will sign) |
| Material blanks in text | REFUSE |
| Optional fields left blank | Use judgment |
2. Financial Interest Conflicts
A notary cannot notarize if they have a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction.
| Example | Prohibited? |
|---|---|
| Named as beneficiary in will | Yes |
| Named as grantee in deed | Yes |
| Party to the contract | Yes |
| Bank employee notarizing for customer | No (employer interest, not personal) |
3. Self-Notarization
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Notarizing your own signature | NEVER allowed |
| Document you are party to | Cannot notarize |
| Your own affidavit | Have another notary |
4. Without Personal Appearance
| Situation | Prohibited? |
|---|---|
| Signer not present | Yes |
| "Mailed in" documents | Yes |
| Phone authorization | Yes |
| Proper video via RON | No (if properly authorized) |
5. Improper Identification
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Cannot identify signer | REFUSE |
| Suspicious ID | REFUSE |
| No ID and no credible witness | REFUSE |
Additional Prohibited Conduct
Unauthorized Practice of Law
| Activity | Prohibited? |
|---|---|
| Choosing which document to use | Yes |
| Explaining legal effects | Yes |
| Giving legal advice | Yes |
| Preparing legal documents | Yes |
| Filling in blanks with legal effect | Yes |
Exception: Notaries who are also licensed attorneys may provide legal services.
Statements Beyond Authority
| Statement | Prohibited? |
|---|---|
| "The signer has capacity" | Yes (legal determination) |
| "Signing under free will" | Yes (legal opinion) |
| "Document is valid" | Yes (legal conclusion) |
| "I identified the signer" | No (this is the notary's job) |
Document-Specific Prohibitions
| Document Issue | Action |
|---|---|
| Document not complete | Refuse or have blanks filled |
| Foreign language document | May notarize if can communicate with signer |
| Cannot understand document | You don't need to understand content |
| Appears fraudulent | REFUSE |
On the Exam
- Blank documents: Cannot notarize
- Financial interest: Direct interest disqualifies notary
- Self-notarization: Never allowed
- Personal appearance: Always required
- Legal advice: Prohibited (unauthorized practice of law)
Test Your Knowledge
Can a Colorado notary notarize a document that has blank spaces in the text?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
A notary is named as a beneficiary in a will. Can they notarize the testator's signature?
A
B
C
D