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Colorado State Apostille

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Colorado State Apostille (Secretary of State Authentication)

If your document was issued or notarized in Colorado and must be used internationally, you will typically need a Colorado Secretary of State authentication certificate (which serves as an apostille for Hague Convention countries). Below is a complete, step-by-step guide—including official fees, timelines, what to submit, where to send it, and how to avoid rejections.

24/7 apostille, notary, legalization, translation Colorado SOS request form required Mail-in, drop-off, expedited walk-in
Official certificate
Combined authentication

Apostille for Hague countries.

What they authenticate
CO notary / CO public official

Signatures + capacity.

Government fee
$5 standard / $15 expedited

Per apostille/authentication.

Submission methods
Mail • Drop-off • Walk-in

Return label optional.

What it’s used for

Common uses include international employment, school admissions, dual citizenship filings, marriage-related filings, foreign banking, corporate registrations, and court/administrative matters abroad.

What Colorado SOS requires

Colorado can authenticate only certain originals—typically documents notarized by a Colorado Notary or certified by Colorado Vital Records or a Colorado county clerk. Proper preparation is the #1 factor for acceptance.

What is a Colorado Apostille / Authentication?

Colorado issues a single combined authentication certificate. If the destination country participates in the Hague Apostille Convention, the certificate serves as an apostille. If the destination country is not in the Convention, the certificate serves as the state-level authentication step in an embassy/consulate legalization chain.

Which Colorado documents can be apostilled?

  • Notarized documents: powers of attorney, affidavits, authorization letters, corporate resolutions (must be properly notarized by a Colorado notary).
  • Colorado vital records: Colorado birth and death certificates (certified originals from Colorado Vital Records).
  • County-issued certified copies: marriage licenses, court documents, and other records certified by the appropriate Colorado county office or court clerk.
  • State agency records: certain documents certified by Colorado public offices (when they include eligible certification/signature).

Step-by-step process (Colorado State Apostille)

This is the standard Colorado Secretary of State workflow. If you’re unsure whether you need an apostille or authentication, confirm the destination country requirement first.

1

Confirm the destination country

Colorado requires the foreign country to be stated on the request. Apostilles/authentications are not issued for use within the U.S. or U.S. territories.

2

Make sure the document is eligible

Your document must be either properly notarized by a Colorado notary or be an original certified copy issued by an eligible Colorado public office (Vital Records, county clerk, court clerk, etc.). Improper notarizations are a leading reason for rejection.

3

Complete the Colorado SOS Apostilles & Authentications Request Form

Fill out the entire form clearly and select the service type (mail-in, drop-off, or expedited walk-in). Include the number of apostilles requested.

4

Prepare payment (government fee)

Colorado lists fee options directly on the request form. For mailed submissions, do not send cash. Use the payment method required by the published instructions.

5

Choose submission method

Submit by mail or drop-off. If you need faster processing, Colorado provides expedited walk-in service (availability can depend on demand/backlog).

6

Return delivery

You can request return via standard USPS or provide a prepaid FedEx/UPS label (per the form instructions). Keep copies of everything you send.

What you need to submit (Colorado checklist)

  • Original eligible document (properly notarized by a Colorado notary OR certified by an eligible Colorado public office).
  • Completed request form (Apostilles & Authentications Request Form).
  • Government fee payment as required by the current instructions.
  • Return delivery selection (standard mail or prepaid carrier label if you want FedEx/UPS return).
  • Clear destination country where the document will be presented.
Where to send / drop off (Colorado Secretary of State)

Colorado instructs requestors to mail documents to the address listed at the top of the official request form. 

Colorado Secretary of State
1700 Broadway, Ste. 550
Denver, CO 80290

Official form (PDF): Apostilles & Authentications Request Form

Colorado government fees & service types (published)

These are Colorado Secretary of State fees shown on the official request form (per apostille/authentication). This page does not list Orange County Apostille service pricing.

Service type Government fee Notes
Mail-in $5 per apostille/authentication Do not send cash through the mail. Payment rules are stated on the form.
Drop-off $5 per apostille/authentication Drop off documents and select return method (pickup, standard mail, or prepaid label options as available).
Expedited (walk-in) $15 per apostille/authentication Walk-in service only; processing speed can depend on demand/backlog.

How long does it take?

Colorado indicates longer-than-normal wait times may occur and that mailed documents are worked in the order received. Expedited service is offered for documents hand-delivered before the daily cutoff (subject to backlog). Always plan buffer time for mail transit and government processing.

Common reasons Colorado rejects apostille/authentication requests

  • Improper notarization: incomplete notary certificate wording, missing venue (state/county), missing date, or non-original signatures.
  • Ineligible document type: not a Colorado notarization or not a certified original from an eligible Colorado office.
  • Missing destination country on the request form.
  • Payment issues (wrong amount or disallowed method for the selected service type).
  • Return label mistakes (carrier label issues or missing tracking info when required by your chosen return method).

Where to get certified Colorado documents

  • Colorado birth/death certificates: order certified copies through the Colorado Vital Records Office.
  • Court documents / divorce decrees: order from the Clerk of the District Court; use the “Find Your Court” tool to locate the correct court.
  • Marriage licenses and other county records: request certified copies through the issuing county clerk/recorder as applicable.

Helpful links & related services

Use these official resources to confirm requirements and explore related Orange County Apostille service pages.

Apostille Services Notary Services Certified Translation Embassy/Consulate Legalization Federal Apostille/Authentication FBI Background Check Power of Attorney Birth Certificate Apostille Marriage Certificate Apostille Requirements Checklist CO SOS Apostilles Home CO SOS General Info CO SOS Request Form (PDF) Common Rejection Reasons CO SOS Apostille FAQs Verify an Apostille Colorado Vital Records Colorado Judicial: Find Your Court U.S. Dept. of State Authentications HCCH Apostille Convention

Frequently Asked Questions (Colorado Apostille)

These FAQs are general guidance based on published Colorado Secretary of State instructions. Always confirm requirements for your destination country and receiving agency.

1) What is a Colorado apostille?
Colorado issues a combined authentication certificate that serves as an apostille for Hague Convention countries and as authentication for non-Hague legalization chains.
2) Do I need an apostille for use inside the United States?
No. Apostilles/authentications are for documents intended to be used in foreign countries (not within the U.S. or U.S. territories).
3) What documents are eligible for Colorado apostille/authentication?
Typically, original documents notarized by a Colorado notary or certified originals issued by eligible Colorado public offices (Vital Records, county clerks, courts).
4) Can Colorado authenticate an out-of-state birth certificate?
Generally, apostilles are issued by the state where the document was issued. Colorado may have limited options for certified copies made by a Colorado notary, but always verify the correct workflow for your document type.
5) Is a photocopy acceptable?
Usually no. Colorado requires originals with eligible notarization/certification. Many photocopies are rejected unless they are properly certified and eligible.
6) Do I need to list the destination country on the form?
Yes. Colorado’s request form asks for the foreign country where the document will be presented.
7) What is the Colorado SOS government fee?
The published fees on the current request form show $5 per apostille/authentication for mail-in and drop-off, and $15 per apostille/authentication for expedited walk-in service.
8) Can I pay by credit card?
Colorado’s form lists accepted payment methods; follow the current published instructions exactly for your chosen service type.
9) Can I submit by mail?
Yes. Include the original eligible document, the completed request form, and payment as instructed. Add a prepaid label if you want FedEx/UPS return.
10) Can I drop off documents?
Yes. Drop-off is listed on the form and uses the standard fee per apostille/authentication.
11) What does “expedited” mean in Colorado?
Expedited is a walk-in option with a higher government fee. Actual while-you-wait completion can depend on demand/backlog.
12) What’s the most common reason for rejection?
Improper notarization (missing venue/date, incomplete notary statement, non-original signatures) is a top rejection reason.
13) Do Colorado apostilles require translation?
Colorado does not require translation to issue an apostille/authentication, but the receiving country/agency may require certified translation.
14) Do you provide translation services?
Yes—Orange County Apostille provides 24/7 translation support (including certified translation coordination where required by the receiving agency).
15) Does Colorado notarize documents for apostille?
The Colorado Secretary of State does not notarize your documents for you. Documents must already be notarized by a Colorado notary or be certified by an eligible public office.
16) Can I get an online apostille?
Colorado indicates it does not provide online apostilles/authentications. You must submit physically (mail or in person).
17) How do I verify a Colorado apostille/authentication?
Colorado provides an online verification tool for apostilles/authentications on its official site.
18) What if my destination is a non-Hague country?
You may need additional federal authentication and then embassy/consulate legalization. Confirm the chain required by the destination country’s consulate/embassy.
19) Do you provide 24/7 apostille, notary, legalization, and translation services?
Yes. We offer 24/7 workflow support and coordination. Government processing still depends on agency hours and acceptance rules.
20) What’s the best way to prevent delays?
Use the current request form, include the destination country, ensure your notarization/certification is eligible, include correct payment, and provide a prepaid return label if you want carrier return service.
Disclosure: Orange County Apostille is a private service provider (not a government agency). Colorado government fees, processing times, and requirements can change. Always confirm the latest rules using the official Colorado Secretary of State links above.
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