Columbus, TX · Colorado County
Police Department Employment Application and Personal History Statement
This 39-page application gathers employment, personal history, background-check authorization, and supporting information from people applying for Columbus Police Department positions, including peace officer, telecommunicator, and civilian employment.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
The packet includes an employment application, criminal history check release, personal history statement, and several authorizations and acknowledgments. Applicants provide information for a background investigation and, in the authority-to-release-information section, sign a notarized release allowing the Columbus Police Department and its representatives to seek records. The instructions say incomplete applications will not be considered and direct applicants to submit documents in a sealed envelope to their assigned background investigator.
Who needs it
People applying for peace officer, telecommunicator, or civilian employment with the Columbus Police Department use this packet to provide application and background-investigation information.
Why it needs a notary
The authority-to-release-information section has an applicant notarized signature and a sworn-to-and-signed-before-me jurat; the applicant signs before the notary.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download The Application
Download the Columbus Police Department application and personal history statement packet.
- 2
Complete The Packet
Answer the applicable questions and gather the supporting documents requested for your position.
- 3
Book An Online Notary
Schedule a session with a commissioned online notary for the authority-to-release-information signature.
- 4
Sign On Video
Wait to sign the notarized release until you meet with the notary, who completes the jurat.
- 5
Submit To The City
Place the completed documents in a sealed envelope marked “Personal and Confidential” for your assigned background investigator.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Columbus. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I complete the notarized records release?
- Fill out the application and release, but wait to sign the applicant’s notarized signature until you meet with a commissioned online notary. The notary completes the jurat during your session.
- Do I need to notarize the entire application?
- The form specifically marks the authority-to-release-information signature as notarized and includes a sworn-to-and-signed-before-me jurat. The other signature fields shown do not include a notary block.
- Can I use an online notary for this form?
- Texas has authorized remote online notarization since 2018 under Government Code Chapter 406, Subchapter C. The form itself does not say whether the city accepts an online-notarized release, so confirm with the city if unsure.
- Where do I submit the completed packet?
- The application instructions say to place completed documents in a sealed envelope marked “Personal and Confidential” and send it to your assigned background investigator.