State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Colorado
How Colorado residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Colorado state documents handled by the Colorado Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Colorado — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Colorado residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Colorado state documents go to the Colorado Secretary of State in Denver.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Colorado are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Colorado Secretary of State.
- Colorado state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Colorado Secretary of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
- State apostille office
- Colorado Secretary of State
- Located in
- Denver
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- Denver
Federal or Colorado document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Colorado state police check | Colorado Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Colorado birth, death or marriage certificate | Colorado Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in Colorado | Colorado Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Colorado state court record | Colorado Secretary of State |
Federal courts in Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
City guides: Denver
How we serve Colorado
We have a processing office in Colorado: Denver. It handles orders by phone and online and isn’t open to the public, so documents come to us by mail — the fastest route to Washington. We cover Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder and every other part of Colorado.
Pricing is flat: $299 per document for Hague countries (10–12 business days) and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization (15–17 business days), government fees included.
Official sources: Colorado Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for Colorado residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Colorado:
Where are Colorado state documents apostilled?
Colorado-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Colorado — are apostilled by the Colorado Secretary of State, not by the U.S. Department of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles, so request it directly from the office below. If it is going to a non-Hague country, get the Colorado authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Colorado Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| In person | 1700 Broadway, Suite 550, Denver, CO 80290 Walk-in expedite $15 per apostille, usually under an hour |
| Mailing address | 1700 Broadway, Suite 550, Denver, CO 80290 |
| Phone | 303-894-2200 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $5 |
| Processing time (published) | Mail processed in order received |
Source: Colorado Secretary of State — official apostille page (checked October 2026). Fees, hours and appointment rules change — confirm with the office before you send anything.
How long does a federal apostille take from Colorado?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does a federal apostille cost from Colorado?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
Colorado — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Colorado?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Colorado Secretary of State handles only Colorado state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Colorado state documents?
The Colorado Secretary of State in Denver.
Which federal courts are in Colorado?
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
Do I need to visit an office in Colorado?
No. We work with Colorado clients by mail and handle the Washington submission for you.
How much does a federal apostille cost?
$299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees and U.S. shipping included.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.