Gessler reminds international travelers that apostilles remain $5

Denver, September 10, 2013 - For Coloradans traveling abroad, preparing the correct paperwork can be daunting. Now imagine needing paperwork for overseas adoption, validating a death certificate or certifying a marriage license as part of the citizenship process. Authenticating these documents for most countries internationally requires an apostille.

Like many other countries, the United States joined the a treaty called the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legislation for Foreign Public Documents, also known as the Apostille Convention. While domestically notarized public documents suffice, many international countries require specific authentication of a document by the issuing country, which is provided by the Colorado Secretary of State. People can also verify the
authenticity of the Secretary’s apostille through the state’s web site.

Any Colorado resident can submit the notarized document with a completed form in order to receive the apostille. Colorado’s Secretary of State provides the authentication for $5.00 and can mail or provide the apostille over the counter within 24 hours. An expedited form can also be provided for $15.00 while the customer waits.

“Though most of our customer interactions remain online, apostilles provide more face-to-face interaction,” Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler said. “We provide these certifications quickly and at low cost because we recognize the sensitivity and importance these documents represent. Though some third party middlemen offer to secure these apostilles for customers, we want all Coloradans to know we’re here to help and they won’t find a lower price than our
service.”

Some online solicitations and companies offer apostilles for $125 to $200 per document, but they simply act as a go-between for the customer and the Secretary of State’s office.

“To save Colorado residents time and money, we want them to know we stand by ready to serve them and we also have Spanish speaking representatives ready to answer questions,” Gessler said.