An apostille in Colorado involves a small per-document state fee charged by the Secretary of State, plus the cost of any notarization or certified copies your document needs first. A full-service provider like MJ Notary Denver charges a flat $175 per document, which covers notarization, the state fee, in-person submission, and handling. International return shipping is billed separately at cost.
Apostille pricing confuses people because there is no single number — the cost is built from a few separate pieces, and which pieces apply depends on your document. This guide breaks down exactly what you pay for, what changes the total, and how long the whole thing takes, so there are no surprises.
For the full process behind these costs, see our complete guide to apostille services in Colorado and the step-by-step process.
What You Actually Pay For
An apostille total is made of up to three parts. Understanding them makes every quote you receive easy to read.
Preparation is the cost of getting your document into a form the state will authenticate — notarizing it, or ordering a certified copy for vital records. The state fee is what the Colorado Secretary of State charges per document to issue the apostille. Service is optional: it covers a provider preparing, submitting, and returning the document for you, plus shipping if your document is going abroad.
MJ Notary Denver’s Full-Service Pricing
Rather than asking you to juggle those pieces separately, MJ Notary Denver bundles them into one flat rate.
| Service | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille, per document | $175 | Notarization, state fee, in-person submission, handling |
| International shipping | At cost | DHL or courier to the destination country |
| Certified copy (vital records) | Varies | Charged by Vital Records if you need one ordered |
The flat $175 means the part most people find stressful — knowing whether a notarization is included, whether the state fee is extra, who submits it — is already handled. You know the number up front.
What Affects Your Total
A few things move the final number, all of them predictable:
- Number of documents. The apostille fee applies per document, so two documents cost roughly twice one.
- Document type. Vital records add the cost of a certified copy; notarized documents add the notarization, which is included in our flat rate.
- Destination country. Non-Hague countries require authentication plus embassy legalization, which adds embassy fees and time. See apostille vs. authentication for the difference.
- Shipping. Domestic return is inexpensive; international courier to the destination country costs more and is billed at cost.
“The Secretary of State charges a per-document fee to issue each apostille or certificate of authentication.”
How Long Does It Take?
Cost and speed are linked — how you submit drives both. An in-person submission to the Secretary of State in Denver can often be completed within 24 hours of notarization for Hague-country documents. Mailing it yourself adds the round-trip postal time, often a week or more each way, plus the office’s processing time. If your document needs a certified copy or embassy legalization first, add the time those steps take.
Because MJ Notary Denver submits in person, the apostille step itself is fast — frequently next-day for Hague destinations once your document is ready.
DIY vs. Full Service
| Do it yourself | Full service | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | Lower | Flat $175/doc |
| Risk of rejection | Higher — easy to misprepare | Low — checked before submission |
| Speed | Slower if mailed | Often next-day in person |
Get a Clear Quote From MJ Notary Denver
No guessing, no surprise add-ons. Tell us your document type and destination country, and MJ Notary Denver will give you a clear total and timeline up front. As a Colorado notary and member of the National Notary Association, we handle notarization, submission, and return from start to finish.
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
How much does an apostille cost in Colorado?
The cost combines a per-document state fee from the Secretary of State plus any notarization or certified copies your document needs. MJ Notary Denver offers full service at a flat $175 per document, covering notarization, the state fee, submission, and handling. Shipping is billed separately at cost.
Is the state fee included in the price?
With MJ Notary Denver, yes — the $175 flat rate includes the Secretary of State’s per-document fee, notarization, in-person submission, and handling. The only separate costs are international shipping and, for vital records, ordering the certified copy.
Does each document cost separately?
Yes. The apostille fee applies per document, so apostilling two documents costs roughly twice as much as one. If you have several documents for the same destination, we can handle them together in one submission.
Why is an apostille for some countries more expensive?
Countries outside the Hague Convention require authentication plus legalization at their embassy or consulate, which adds embassy fees and extra time. Documents bound for Hague Convention countries need only the apostille, making them faster and less costly.
How fast can I get an apostille in Colorado?
For Hague Convention countries, an in-person submission can often be completed within 24 hours of notarization. Mailing it yourself is significantly slower. MJ Notary Denver submits in person, so the apostille step is frequently next-day once your document is ready.
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.