Planning to use a Colorado document in another country — a birth certificate for a visa, a diploma for a job overseas, or a power of attorney for family abroad? Many countries will only accept your paperwork if it carries an apostille, a special government certification that proves your document is the real thing.
What an apostille actually does
An apostille is a certificate attached to your document by the state (here in Colorado, the Secretary of State’s office). It confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on your document is legitimate — for example, that the notary who signed it really is a commissioned notary. It works in every country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention, which covers more than 120 countries including most of Europe, Latin America, and Asia. One important note: an apostille is for countries in the treaty. If your document is headed somewhere outside the convention, it may need embassy legalization instead — a different process we can talk you through.
How the process works with us
Getting an apostille on your own usually means multiple trips, waiting in lines, and hoping you filled out the right forms. When you hand it to Always Open Notary, here’s what happens:
- We review your document to make sure it’s eligible and correctly notarized (if it needs notarization, we handle that too).
- We prepare and submit everything to the Colorado Secretary of State.
- We track your request and return your apostilled document to you — with options for rush service when you’re up against a deadline.
You’ll always know what’s happening and what it will cost before we start. No guessing, no surprise fees.
When to ask about rush service
Apostille timelines depend on the state office, and standard processing can take longer than people expect. If you’re facing a travel date, a school enrollment deadline, or an employer’s start date, tell us right away. Rush options exist for many document types, and the sooner we start, the more options you’ll have.
Ready when you are
Have questions about a document? Call or text us at 303-598-2203 — we’re happy to tell you whether your document needs an apostille, notarization, or something else entirely. Prefer to book online? Visit https://live.vcita.com/site/alwaysopennotaryllc/online-scheduling to schedule your appointment.
Office visits are Monday–Friday, 8 AM–3 PM by appointment only, and mobile appointments can be arranged outside those hours. We serve the Denver metro area including Aurora, Boulder, Lakewood, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs.