West · CO
The Centennial State
How to get an apostille in Colorado
In Colorado, apostilles are issued by the Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Program (Apostilles & Certifications). Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Colorado apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Denver
- Governor (2026)
- Jared Polis
- State flower
- Rocky Mountain Columbine
- State bird
- Lark Bunting
Apostille signed by Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Program (Apostilles & Certifications)
Step-by-step: an apostille in Colorado
- 01
Confirm the document is Colorado-issued or notarized by a Colorado notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Colorado Secretary of State authenticates the notary's commission, not your signature directly. Vital records and court documents skip this step (they are certified by the issuing office instead).
- 03
For vital records, obtain a certified copy from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (Vital Records).
- 04
Submit the apostille request — Colorado offers an online request and document-upload option for many notarized documents.
- 05
Provide the destination country and follow the system's mailing or pickup instructions.
- 06
Receive your apostille or certification.
Colorado apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Program (Apostilles & Certifications) |
|---|---|
| State fee | $0 — Colorado does not charge a state fee for apostilles (verify current policy) |
| Processing time | Colorado offers an online apostille request system; processing is generally fast, often within days. |
| Mailing / submission | Colorado Secretary of State, Notary Program, Denver. Colorado provides an online apostille request system; follow the on-screen mailing instructions. Verify the current mailing address and process online. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Colorado
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies from the state vital-records office)
- Divorce decrees and court orders (certified by the clerk of court)
- Powers of attorney and affidavits (signed before a notary)
- Single-status / no-record affidavits for marriage abroad
- Diplomas, transcripts, and degree certificates
- Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, good-standing certificates, board resolutions
- Commercial and export documents
Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by Colorado.
Specimen
What a Colorado apostille looks like
A Colorado apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Program (Apostilles & Certifications) as the issuing authority. Below is an illustrative specimen — it is not a valid document and contains no real data.
See specimens for all states →- 1.Country United States of America
- 2.has been signed by [NAME OF SIGNER]
- 3.acting in the capacity of [CAPACITY — e.g. Notary Public]
- 4.bears the seal / stamp of [ISSUING OFFICIAL / SEAL]
- 5.at [CITY / PLACE]
- 6.the [DATE]
- 7.by Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Program (Apostilles & Certifications)
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Colorado apostille FAQ
- Does Colorado charge for an apostille?
- Colorado has historically not charged a state fee for apostilles, which is unusual. Always confirm the current fee policy on the Secretary of State's page before relying on it.
- Can I request a Colorado apostille online?
- Yes. Colorado offers an online apostille request system that streamlines submission for many notarized documents. Vital records may have separate steps.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Colorado apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Colorado Secretary of State — Notary Program (Apostilles & Certifications) via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
Need it done for you?
Rather not deal with the Colorado paperwork yourself?
This guide is free to use. If you’d like a service to prepare, notarize where needed, and submit your documents for you — including federal documents and translations — tell us what you need and we’ll point you to the right help.