In Colorado, what is the duty of the notary during the notarization process?

In Colorado, the primary duty of a notary during the notarization process is to verify the identity of the signer. This involves ensuring that the individual requesting the notarization is who they claim to be. The notary must confirm the identity using government-issued identification or other acceptable forms of identification that adequately establish the signer's identity.

This responsibility is critical as it safeguards the integrity of the notarization process and helps prevent fraud. If a notary does not properly identify the signer, it could lead to issues with the authenticity of documents, potentially resulting in legal disputes or challenges to the validity of the notarized document.

The other responsibilities mentioned in the options do not align with the fundamental role of a notary. For instance, collecting a fee is a possibility but not a duty; notaries may charge for their services, but their primary function is not fee collection. Drafting documents is outside the scope of a notary's responsibilities, as they should not create, alter, or provide legal advice on documents. Likewise, providing legal advice is not permitted, as this falls within the domain of licensed attorneys. The primary focus of a notary is to verify identities, ensuring that the notarization process upholds its legal standards.