To apostille a birth certificate in Colorado, you need a certified copy issued by Colorado Vital Records or a County Clerk — not a photocopy and not a notarized copy. Submit that certified copy to the Colorado Secretary of State with a request naming the destination country, and the apostille is attached to it. A certified copy already carries the official signature the apostille verifies, so no notarization is needed.
A birth certificate is the most common document people need apostilled — for dual citizenship, overseas marriage, foreign school enrollment, or residency applications. It is also the document people most often prepare incorrectly, because the step that works for a power of attorney does not work here. Getting it right comes down to one thing: starting with a certified copy.
This guide covers exactly how to apostille a Colorado birth certificate. For the bigger picture, see our complete guide to apostille services in Colorado, or the general step-by-step apostille process.
Why You Need a Certified Copy (Not a Notarized One)
Here is the part that trips people up. For most documents, you take them to a notary, the notary verifies your signature, and the apostille then confirms the notary’s authority. A birth certificate works differently. You did not sign it — a government office issued it. So there is no signature to notarize. Instead, the apostille verifies the official who signed the certified copy on behalf of the issuing office.
That means notarizing a photocopy of your birth certificate does not help — and will get it rejected. The Secretary of State needs a copy that Colorado Vital Records or a County Clerk has certified as a true, official record, complete with their signature and seal. That official signature is what the apostille authenticates.
“Vital records such as birth and death certificates must be certified copies issued by the state or county registrar before they can be authenticated.”
How to Apostille a Colorado Birth Certificate, Step by Step
Step 1: Order a certified copy
Request a certified copy of the birth certificate from Colorado Vital Records or the County Clerk in the county where the birth was recorded. This is the official version with a raised or printed seal and an authorized signature. If you already hold a recently issued certified copy, you can usually use it.
Step 2: Complete the Secretary of State request
Fill out the authentication request, naming the destination country. As with any apostille, the country determines whether you receive an apostille (Hague members) or an authentication for embassy legalization (non-Hague countries).
Step 3: Submit to the Secretary of State
Submit the certified copy and request to the Colorado Secretary of State in Denver, in person or by mail. In person is faster. The office verifies the registrar’s signature on your certified copy.
Step 4: The apostille is attached
Once verified, the apostille is bound to your certified copy and returned to you or shipped abroad. Keep the apostille attached — detaching it voids the authentication.
Certified Copy vs. Notarized Copy: The Key Difference
| Certified copy | Notarized photocopy | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Vital Records / County Clerk | You, with a notary stamp |
| Carries official seal | Yes | No |
| Accepted for apostille | Yes | No — rejected |
What If the Birth Certificate Is From Another State?
The Colorado Secretary of State can only apostille documents certified by Colorado officials. If your birth certificate was issued by another state, it must be apostilled by that state’s authority — Colorado cannot authenticate it. If you were born abroad to U.S. parents or hold a federal document, the process runs through the U.S. Department of State instead. When in doubt, MJ Notary Denver can point you to the correct authority.
How Long Does It Take?
Two timelines stack here: getting the certified copy, then the apostille itself. If you already have a certified copy, an in-person apostille submission can often be completed within 24 hours for Hague-country destinations. If you still need to order the certified copy, add the time Vital Records takes to issue it. MJ Notary Denver can handle the apostille step quickly once the certified copy is in hand.
Let MJ Notary Denver Apostille Your Birth Certificate
MJ Notary Denver apostilles Colorado birth certificates for clients across the metro area — confirming your certified copy is in the right form, completing the request, and submitting it in person to the Secretary of State in Denver. As a Colorado notary and member of the National Notary Association, we make sure it is accepted the first time.
We serve Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Centennial, Littleton, Englewood, and Commerce City, and coordinate statewide. Contact MJ Notary Denver or call (720) 333-0580.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to notarize my birth certificate before apostilling it?
No. A birth certificate needs a certified copy from Vital Records or the County Clerk, not a notarization. The apostille verifies the registrar’s official signature on the certified copy. Notarizing a photocopy will cause it to be rejected.
Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate for an apostille?
No. You must use a certified copy issued by the state or county registrar, carrying an official seal and signature. A plain photocopy — even a notarized one — will not be accepted by the Secretary of State.
Can Colorado apostille a birth certificate from another state?
No. Each state apostilles only the documents its own officials certified. A birth certificate from another state must be apostilled by that state’s authority. Colorado can only authenticate Colorado-issued records.
How recent does the certified copy need to be?
Colorado generally accepts a certified copy as long as it is an authentic, sealed record. Some destination countries, however, require a recently issued copy. If your country has a recency requirement, order a fresh certified copy to be safe.
How much does it cost to apostille a birth certificate in Colorado?
MJ Notary Denver’s apostille service is $175 per document, including Secretary of State submission and handling. The cost of ordering the certified copy from Vital Records and any international shipping are separate.
Written by
MJ Notary Denver
MJ Notary Denver is a certified Colorado notary public and member of the National Notary Association, providing mobile notary, apostille, online notarization, and loan signing services throughout the Denver metro area since 2019. Commission #20194021878.