Colorado documents used in another country typically require official authentication before a foreign authority will accept them. The Colorado Secretary of State issues apostilles and authentication certificates for eligible records, including documents signed by a Colorado notary public, certified vital records, and documents certified by a county clerk’s office.
Countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostille as sufficient proof of authenticity. For countries outside the Convention, Colorado Secretary of State authentication is the first step in a longer process that also requires U.S. Department of State certification and embassy or consular legalization.
