Boston Notary Service: Your Complete Massachusetts Secretary of State Apostille & Document Retrieval Partner

When you need official Massachusetts documents for personal, professional, or international use, one name stands out: Boston Notary Service (BNS). We are Massachusetts’s trusted partner for retrieving true attested copies, C-1 Certificates, Articles of Incorporation, vital records, university transcripts, and more—and then preparing them for global recognition through apostille or authentication services.

While the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth provides the state’s official services, the process can often be complex, time-consuming, and confusing. That’s where BNS steps in. With decades of expertise, we streamline the entire experience: we retrieve your documents, apostille or authenticate them, and ship them securely to your destination—whether in Boston, across the U.S., Puerto Rico, or anywhere around the world.



Why Work With Boston Notary Service Instead of Doing It Yourself?

The Secretary of the Commonwealth handles critical public functions:

Filing corporate paperwork like Articles of Incorporation (C-1)

Issuing certificates of good standing

Recording amendments, dissolutions, and foreign entity registrations

Authenticating documents through apostilles or state certifications


These services are essential, but navigating them alone can mean long wait times, multiple trips to Boston’s One Ashburton Place, or rejected submissions because of small errors.

At Boston Notary Service, we take the guesswork out. We know exactly what the Secretary of State requires, we work directly with their offices, and we personally retrieve, apostille, and return documents for our clients. Whether you’re a law firm, a corporation, a university student, or a family, BNS makes sure the job is done correctly the first time.



Document Retrieval Made Simple

True Attested Copies

A true attested copy is a certified government-issued version of an original record. You may need these for immigration, legal filings, or foreign government requests. BNS retrieves these for you directly from the issuing authority—such as vital records offices, local town clerks, or the Corporations Division—and ensures they are properly certified for apostille or authentication.

Corporate Filings & C-1 Certificates

For Massachusetts corporations, one of the most requested documents is the C-1 Certificate (Articles of Incorporation). Whether you’re expanding overseas, opening a foreign bank account, or establishing an international office, you’ll likely need this document apostilled or authenticated.

At BNS, we retrieve your C-1 Certificate or other corporate filings, have them certified, and then process them through the Secretary of the Commonwealth for apostille or authentication. We then ship them directly to your global destination.

Vital Records

From birth, marriage, and death certificates to divorce decrees, many clients need Massachusetts-issued vital records recognized abroad. BNS retrieves these records on your behalf and ensures they are prepared to meet the strict standards for international use.

University & Academic Records

Massachusetts is home to world-renowned universities like Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Boston College, and more. International students and alumni often need apostilled diplomas, transcripts, or enrollment letters to study, work, or live abroad. BNS works directly with these institutions and the Secretary of State to provide seamless service.




Apostille vs. Authentication: Understanding the Difference

If your destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, your Massachusetts-issued documents will need an apostille. This certification validates the signature, stamp, and authority of the official who issued or notarized the document.

But what if the country isn’t a member of the Hague Convention? That’s where authentication comes in.

Apostilles for Hague Convention Countries

Countries like Spain, Italy, Brazil, and South Korea accept apostilles. Once the Secretary of the Commonwealth attaches an apostille, your document is legally valid abroad.

Authentication for Non-Hague Countries (Including Puerto Rico)

Some jurisdictions, like Puerto Rico and other non-Hague countries, require authentication instead of an apostille. This process involves additional steps:

1. Secretary of the Commonwealth certification


2. Authentication by the U.S. Department of State (Washington, DC)


3. Legalization by the foreign consulate or embassy



At BNS, we don’t stop at just apostilles—we handle the entire authentication chain for non-Hague countries, ensuring your documents are accepted without delays or rejections.




How Boston Notary Service Handles the Entire Process

Here’s how we make document retrieval, apostille, and authentication effortless for you:

1. Consultation – We determine what documents you need (C-1, Articles, vital records, diplomas, etc.) and the requirements of the country where they’ll be used.


2. Document Retrieval – We obtain certified or attested copies directly from Massachusetts authorities.


3. Preparation – We notarize when required and confirm compliance with Secretary of State standards.


4. Apostille or Authentication – We hand-deliver your documents to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for apostille certification or authentication.


5. Finalization – For non-Hague countries, we continue with the U.S. Department of State and consulate legalization.


6. Secure Shipping – We send your completed documents back to you, whether you’re in Boston, California, Puerto Rico, or anywhere worldwide.






Real-World Scenarios Where We Help

A Boston law firm needs court documents authenticated for use in the Middle East.

A startup in Cambridge requires its C-1 Certificate apostilled to register a subsidiary in Europe.

A family in Puerto Rico needs a Massachusetts birth certificate authenticated for citizenship paperwork.

An MIT graduate requires an apostilled diploma and transcript for employment in South America.

An out-of-state client sends documents to BNS by mail—we retrieve, apostille, and ship them back within days.


No matter the complexity, BNS handles it from start to finish.




Why Boston Notary Service Is the Trusted Choice

Decades of Experience – Serving Massachusetts residents, businesses, and universities with authority and reliability.

All-Inclusive Service – Retrieval, notarization, apostille, authentication, and global shipping.

Local Expertise – Deep knowledge of the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth and its processes.

International Reach – Expertise with Hague and non-Hague countries, including Puerto Rico.

Trusted by Professionals – Lawyers, corporations, universities, and families depend on us daily.



Make Boston Notary Service Your Partner

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth provides the foundation for vital filings and certifications, but Boston Notary Service turns that foundation into a complete solution. From retrieving true attested copies and C-1 Certificates to apostille and authentication services, we handle the details so you don’t have to.

📍 Based in Boston, serving clients nationwide and worldwide
📧 [email protected]
📞 617-230-6676

With Boston Notary Service, your documents are retrieved, apostilled, authenticated, and shipped directly to you—wherever you are in the world.