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Deed Recording Requirements in Colorado

Colorado law lets unacknowledged deeds be recorded (though notarization is standard practice), requires no witnesses, and charges a small state documentary fee of 1 cent per $100 on sales over $500.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Colorado at a glance

Notary acknowledgment
Not strictly required
Deeds are still routinely notarized
Witnesses
None
Transfer tax
State tax applies
Exemptions may apply

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Colorado

Does a deed need to be notarized in Colorado?

Colorado does not strictly require a notary acknowledgment by statute, although deeds are routinely notarized.

How many witnesses does a deed need in Colorado?

None. Colorado does not require witnesses to sign a deed.

Is there a real estate transfer tax in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado charges a state transfer tax or similar fee when a deed is recorded. Some transfers may be exempt, so check the current statute.

Where do the Colorado rules for deeds come from?

They come from C.R.S. 38-35-106, C.R.S. 38-35-109 and C.R.S. 39-13-102. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

How Colorado compares

Colorado is one of 35 jurisdictions that charge a state transfer tax or deed fee.

What this means in practice

Record the signed deed with the county recorder, register of deeds or land records office where the property is located. Recording puts the world on notice of the transfer and generally protects the new owner against later claims.

Recording offices often have formatting rules (margins, paper size, a return address, a parcel number) and charge a fee. Check the county's requirements before you sign.

A deed does not pay off a mortgage. If the property is mortgaged, the loan usually stays in place after the transfer.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.