When people search “apostille service near me” in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, they are usually facing an urgent and important situation. A foreign government, university, employer, court, or international business partner has requested documents that must be properly apostilled or authenticated before they will be accepted overseas.

At Boston Notary Service, we specialize in handling apostille and authentication requests accurately, efficiently, and locally, serving clients throughout Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, Newton, the Seaport District, Back Bay, South End, and all of Massachusetts.

This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about apostille services near you, how the process works, which documents qualify, how long it takes, common mistakes to avoid, and why working with an experienced Massachusetts-based apostille provider matters.

An apostille is an official government-issued certificate that verifies the authenticity of a public document so it can be legally recognized in another country.

An apostille confirms: • The signature on the document is genuine
• The official signing the document had authority
• The seal or stamp is valid

An apostille does not validate the content of a document. It only certifies the authenticity of the issuing authority.

Apostilles are used only for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If the destination country is not a Hague member, your documents must go through authentication and embassy legalization instead.

Boston Notary Service assists with both Hague and non-Hague countries, ensuring the correct process is used every time.

Finding a local apostille service in Boston is critical for speed, compliance, and accuracy.

Massachusetts apostille rules are strict, and many documents are rejected due to: • Incorrect notarization language
• Submitting photocopies instead of certified originals
• Filing with the wrong authority
• Not understanding country-specific rules

Boston Notary Service works directly with: • The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
• The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
• Universities and colleges across Massachusetts
• Federal apostille offices in Washington, DC

This local expertise eliminates delays and costly rejections.

International Education Apostilles

Boston is home to world-class universities. We routinely apostille: • Diplomas
• Transcripts
• Enrollment certificates
• Certificates of attendance

👉 Related Service:
See our dedicated page on University Apostille Services in Massachusetts
https://bostonnotaryservice.us

Immigration & Dual Citizenship Apostilles

We assist clients with apostilling: • Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Death certificates

Including retrieval of Massachusetts vital records when needed.

👉 Related Service:
Massachusetts Vital Records Retrieval & Apostille
https://bostonnotaryservice.us

Marriage Abroad & Single Status Apostilles

Common for destinations such as Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Mexico: • Single Status Affidavits
• Certificates of No Marriage (Negative Statements)
• Birth certificates

Boston Notary Service prepares and apostilles these documents correctly for foreign civil registries.

Employment & Background Check Apostilles

We handle: • FBI background check apostilles (federal)
• State police record apostilles
• Professional license apostilles

👉 Related Service:
FBI Background Check Apostille Services
https://bostonnotaryservice.us

Business & Corporate Apostilles

International business transactions often require apostilles for: • Articles of Incorporation
• Certificates of Good Standing
• Corporate Powers of Attorney
• Board Resolutions

Mistakes in corporate apostilles can delay international deals — our experience prevents that.

Documents eligible for apostille include: • Certified vital records
• Notarized affidavits
• Academic records
• Court documents
• Corporate filings
• Federal documents

Each document type has specific preparation requirements, which Boston Notary Service reviews before submission.

Massachusetts Apostille

Issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Examples: • MA birth, marriage, death certificates
• Massachusetts notarized documents
• MA-issued diplomas

Federal Apostille

Issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC.

Examples: • FBI background checks
• Federal court documents
• Federal agency certificates

Submitting to the wrong authority causes automatic rejection. We handle both correctly.

Step 1: Document Review

We confirm: • Document type
• Issuing authority
• Destination country
• Apostille vs authentication

Step 2: Document Preparation

This may include: • Proper notarization
• Certified copy retrieval
• Massachusetts-compliant wording

Step 3: Government Submission

We submit documents to: • MA Secretary of the Commonwealth
• U.S. Department of State
• Embassy or consulate (if required)

Step 4: Apostille Issuance

The apostille certificate is attached by the issuing authority.

Step 5: Secure Return or International Shipping

Documents are returned locally or shipped worldwide.

• Hague Convention country → Apostille
• Non-Hague country → Authentication + Embassy Legalization

Boston Notary Service confirms the correct path before filing.

Yes. Documents must be apostilled in the state of origin.

Boston Notary Service coordinates multi-state apostille services, including Rhode Island and nationwide filings.

Only: • Certified copies
• Properly notarized copies

Photocopies are rejected unless prepared correctly. We verify eligibility before submission.

Apostilles do not expire, but foreign authorities may require recent issuance (often within 3–6 months).

We confirm current acceptance rules.

Common issues include: • Incorrect notarization
• Wrong issuing authority
• Missing seals
• Improper formatting
• Country-specific errors

Our review process prevents these issues before submission.

Processing times vary by document and urgency: • Standard state apostilles: several business days to weeks
• Federal apostilles: several weeks unless expedited

Boston Notary Service offers expedited apostille services when deadlines matter.

Boston Notary Service (Local)

• In-person handling
• Faster turnaround
• Personalized service
• Direct government coordination

Mail-In Services

• No document review
• Slower processing
• Higher rejection rates

Local experience matters.

Including but not limited to: • Italy
• Spain
• France
• Portugal
• Mexico
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Germany
• Japan
• South Korea

Each country may still impose additional requirements.

✔ Decades of apostille experience
✔ Massachusetts apostille authority
✔ University and academic specialization
✔ Vital records retrieval
✔ FBI and federal apostilles
✔ Secure handling and shipping
✔ Trusted Boston-based service

An apostille is a critical legal certification that determines whether your documents will be accepted abroad.

When searching “apostille service near me” in Boston or Massachusetts, choosing a knowledgeable local provider makes all the difference.

Boston Notary Service ensures your documents are prepared correctly, submitted properly, and returned without delays — giving you confidence and peace of mind.

Ready to Start?

✔ Apostille Services
✔ Vital Records Retrieval
✔ University Apostilles
✔ FBI Background Apostilles

👉 Apply Online:
https://bostonnotaryservice.us/apply-here 

📧 Email: [email protected]s