PCSing to Colorado Springs and thinking about buying a home from afar? You are not alone. Many service members close while they are still at their current duty station or even overseas. In this guide, you will learn how remote notarization works in Colorado, what El Paso County requires to record your deed, how to use a power of attorney, and how to move money safely so you can close with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Colorado Springs PCS basics
Colorado Springs serves several major installations, which shapes home search timing and commute choices. Fort Carson sits to the southwest, while Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever Space Force Base are to the east and northeast. If you want installation facts and relocation contacts, review the official overview for Fort Carson on Military OneSource.
Many incoming families start in on-base or short-term housing while they shop off post. That makes a fast, remote-friendly closing plan helpful, especially if you want to go under contract soon after arrival.
Remote online notarization in Colorado
Remote online notarization, often called RON or “video notarization,” is legal in Colorado. The law authorizes a Colorado-commissioned notary who is registered as a remote notary to witness your signature over a secure, real-time audio-video session and apply a digital seal. You can review the enabling statute, SB20-096, for the big picture.
In practice, RON looks like this: you log in to an approved platform, verify your identity, and sign digitally while the notary watches in real time. Colorado rules require the notary to store a recording of the session and keep a tamper-evident electronic journal. The Secretary of State explains these requirements in its remote notary FAQ. Some specialized documents are excluded by rule, so confirm your closing package early.
Pro tip: ask your closing team to confirm that (1) the notary is registered for RON in Colorado, (2) the platform is approved, and (3) your lender and title underwriter accept RON for your loan type.
El Paso County eRecording and recording rules
El Paso County accepts electronic recordings through common industry vendors. That means a title company can often submit your deed electronically right after a RON or mail-away signing. You can see the county’s eRecording guidance on the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder site.
Recording delays usually come from small formatting or fee issues. The county publishes practical rules that matter for buyers:
- Keep a 1-inch top margin and 1/2-inch margins on other sides.
- Include a valid grantee mailing address on your deed. This is used for tax statements.
- Provide correct documentary fee information when the consideration triggers it.
You can review these items on the county’s Recording Document Process page. Also note that Colorado moved to a uniform flat recording fee structure effective July 1, 2025. Check current fee amounts on the county’s Recording FAQs. These county and state fees are separate from your lender, title, and escrow costs.
How this affects remote closings: since El Paso County accepts eRecording, a RON-signed deed can often be recorded electronically. Some lenders or underwriters may ask for extra steps, such as recording a power of attorney first or providing certifications. Your title or escrow team will confirm what is needed for your file.
Using a power of attorney (POA)
If you cannot attend closing, a limited, transaction-specific POA is a common solution. Title companies in Colorado work with POAs regularly, and El Paso County treats a POA as a recordable document. In most cases, the POA must be notarized, in a recordable format, and either recorded with the deed or provided as a certified copy the county will accept. Review the county’s process page for recording details on recordable documents like POAs.
If your POA is signed outside Colorado or abroad, plan ahead for any consular, apostille, translation, or certified copy needs. Give your closing team a draft early so they can confirm lender and underwriter requirements.
Moving money safely when you are remote
Most buyers deliver earnest money by wire transfer to the title or escrow company, a cashier’s check sent by overnight courier, or sometimes a personal check that may take longer to clear. Wire transfers are common for both deposits and final funds.
Wire fraud remains a top risk in remote closings. Industry groups report ongoing attempts to divert buyer funds, so you should follow strict verification steps. The American Land Title Association shares current trends and best practices in its State of Wire Fraud in the Title Industry.
Use this simple, repeatable rule:
- Never rely only on emailed wiring instructions. Call the title or escrow office at a phone number you look up independently on their official website. Confirm the routing and account numbers with a live person before you send any money. State real estate regulators give similar guidance, as noted in this commission bulletin on wire-fraud safety.
- If something feels off, stop and call. If a wire goes to the wrong account, time matters. Contact your bank right away and follow the title company’s steps for reporting.
Remote closing options you can use
Title and escrow teams in Colorado support several remote-friendly workflows. Availability depends on your lender, underwriter, and the county’s recording process, so confirm your path early.
- Mail-away closing. You sign original paper documents with a notary where you are, then ship them back. The title company records once everything arrives and clears.
- POA closing. You grant a limited POA to a trusted agent who signs on your behalf. The POA is recorded as required.
- RON plus eRecording. You sign over a secure video session with a Colorado remote notary. The title company submits the deed electronically to El Paso County. See the Secretary of State’s RON FAQ for how this works.
- Mobile notary or hybrid. A mobile notary meets you where you are for specific documents while other items are signed electronically.
Quick PCS buyer checklist
Before you write an offer
- Choose a local real estate professional and ask for a title or escrow partner with experience helping military and out-of-state buyers.
- Ask the title company which closing options they support for El Paso County: RON, eRecording, mail-away, mobile notary, and POA. Confirm any lender or underwriter limits and required wording.
After your offer is accepted
- Decide your signing plan early: in person, POA, RON, or mail-away. Share that plan with your lender and title team.
- If you will use a POA, have it drafted with the property address and legal description if possible, and circulate it for approval.
- Start loan processing and appraisal scheduling right away to keep your timeline tight.
Seven to three days before closing
- Re-verify final wiring instructions by phone using a number you find independently. Do not rely on email-only instructions.
- Confirm when the title company will eRecord your deed and how you will receive a recorded copy or image. El Paso County provides images and indexed records after recording; your title team can deliver the copy.
Ready for a smooth PCS closing?
With the right partners, you can sign securely from anywhere, record quickly with El Paso County, and protect your funds every step of the way. If you want a Colorado-based team that supports mobile and digital workflows and follows ALTA best practices, connect with First Alliance Title. We will help you plan the right path and close with confidence.
FAQs
Can I sign everything over video and have El Paso County record my deed?
- Yes, Colorado permits remote online notarization for real estate documents, and El Paso County accepts eRecording. Your lender and title underwriter must also approve the RON and eRecording workflow, so confirm this early using the Secretary of State’s remote notary guidance.
Will a power of attorney let my spouse or agent close for me?
- Yes. Limited, transaction-specific POAs are common. Title companies usually require the POA to be notarized and in a recordable form, and many will record it with the deed or ahead of it. Review the county’s recording process details.
How do I send earnest money if I am still at my old duty station?
- Wires and cashier’s checks are common. Because wire fraud is a risk, always call the title or escrow office at a verified phone number to confirm instructions before sending funds. See ALTA’s overview of wire-fraud trends and safeguards.
What recording fees or formatting rules should I expect in El Paso County?
- Expect standard format rules such as a 1-inch top margin, 1/2-inch side margins, a grantee mailing address on the deed, and proper documentary fee information. Colorado moved to a uniform flat recording fee in 2025; check current amounts on the county’s Recording FAQs.
If I use RON, will my lender accept it?
- Many do, but policies vary. Some lenders or underwriters may require extra identity checks or prefer a paper original for certain documents. Confirm your lender and title underwriter’s acceptance of RON and any added steps as soon as you go under contract.
