Fast, Reliable Apostille Services from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary of State – A Complete Guide

If you're sending documents overseas for work, school, adoption, or business, chances are you’ve been asked to obtain an apostille certification. But what is an apostille, and how do you get one through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary of State Apostille Division?

In this comprehensive guide, Boston Notary Service breaks down the apostille process step-by-step—so you can save time, avoid rejections, and ensure your documents are legally accepted abroad. Whether you’re authenticating a birth certificate, marriage certificate, diploma, FBI background check, or corporate documents, we’ve got you covered.

An apostille is a certificate issued by the Secretary of State that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. This ensures that your document is legally recognized without needing further certification from a foreign embassy.

For countries not part of the Hague Convention, the document requires additional steps through the U.S. Department of State and the respective consulate, known as authentication or legalization.

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office can issue apostilles for:

• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (must be certified copies from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or city/town clerk’s office).
• Educational Documents: Diplomas, transcripts, certificates of enrollment from Massachusetts schools and universities.
• Notarized Documents: Powers of attorney, affidavits, business documents, travel consent letters notarized by a Massachusetts notary public.
• Court Documents: Adoptions, judgments, name changes with certified court seals.
• Corporate Documents: Articles of Incorporation, certificates of good standing, and business filings notarized or issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The apostille process in Massachusetts includes several steps and requires precision:

Step 1: Make Sure Your Document is Ready

• Vital records must be certified copies issued by the city/town clerk or Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
• Notarized documents must be properly notarized by a commissioned Massachusetts notary public, using acceptable notarial wording.
• Court and business documents must be official certified copies or original notarized versions.

Step 2: Mail or Deliver to the Secretary of State

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Apostille Division accepts apostille requests by mail or in person at their Boston office:

Secretary of the Commonwealth
Public Records Division – Apostille Section
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108

Include:

• The document(s)
• A cover letter indicating the country of use
• A $6.00 fee per apostille (check/money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
• A self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid courier label

Step 3: Wait for Processing

• Standard mail-in processing: 5–10 business days
• Walk-in processing (if available): Same-day or 24-hour turnaround

While it’s possible to handle the apostille process on your own, many individuals and businesses prefer to rely on experts—especially when timing is critical or the paperwork is complex.

Boston Notary Service provides:

1. In-Person Document Review and Notarization

We make sure your documents are properly notarized and ready for submission. This includes real estate closings, power of attorney, international school enrollments, and corporate expansions.

2. Vital Record Retrieval

Need a Massachusetts birth, marriage, or death certificate but don’t have a copy? We can retrieve certified records in person from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records or local city clerks.

3. Secretary of State Walk-Through

We personally submit your documents to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, expediting processing and avoiding delays.

4. Shipping to You or Overseas

Once your apostille is issued, we can return it by FedEx, UPS, DHL, or local courier—even internationally.

We work with a wide range of clients in Boston and across Massachusetts, including:

• International students at Harvard, Boston University, Northeastern, Lesley, and more
• Businesses expanding abroad needing apostilled articles of incorporation
• Residents applying for dual citizenship
• Immigration and visa applicants
• Families pursuing international adoptions
• Professionals relocating abroad (e.g., teachers, engineers, healthcare workers)

Boston Notary Service offers mobile notary and apostille assistance across:

• Back Bay
• Seaport District
• South End
• Cambridge
• Newton
• Brookline
• Somerville
• Watertown
• Weston
• Wellesley
• Lexington
• And throughout Massachusetts

If the destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, your document will need to go through authentication:

1. Secretary of State Apostille or Certification
2. U.S. Department of State Authentication (Washington, D.C.)
3. Consulate Legalization

Boston Notary Service can manage this complex multi-step process and help you avoid costly mistakes.

If you need to apostille an FBI background check, this must be submitted to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

We can:

• Receive your FBI report PDF
• Print, prep, and ship it
• Submit to the U.S. State Department or the appropriate embassy

No need to travel to D.C.—we handle it all from Boston!

• Wrong type of document: Photocopies or scans won’t be accepted unless notarized properly
• Missing notarization or incorrect wording
• Submitting to the wrong office (e.g., out-of-state notaries cannot be apostilled in MA)
• Delays from using regular mail instead of tracked services

Let us help you do it right the first time.

Method Turnaround Boston Notary Service Option Mail-in to Secretary of State 5–10 business days Yes Walk-in (if available) Same day Yes (we walk it in) Non-Hague Authentication 2–3 weeks Yes FBI Report Apostille 7–14 days Yes

Q: How much does it cost to get an apostille in Massachusetts?
A: The state fee is $6 per document. Boston Notary Service offers bundled services including document preparation, retrieval, and expedited delivery.

Q: Can I apostille a photocopy of my diploma?
A: Only if it’s notarized properly or if you request an official copy from your school’s registrar.

Q: How do I know if a country accepts apostilles?
A: We can verify whether your destination country is a Hague Convention member. If not, we guide you through authentication.

Q: Do I need an appointment?
A: For walk-in or mobile notary services, yes—call 617-230-6676 or email [email protected].

Ready to apostille your documents fast and worry-free?

Boston Notary Service is your trusted partner for Secretary of State apostille services in Massachusetts. With decades of experience, in-person service, and nationwide reach, we simplify the apostille process so you can focus on what matters.

Contact us today:

Phone: 617-230-6676
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://bostonnotaryservice.us/apply-here

We’re ready to help whether you're near the Boston Public Library, Harvard Square, or need service at Logan International Airport before flying out. Let us handle your apostille—the right way, the first time.

Internal Link Suggestions:

• Massachusetts Birth Certificate Apostille Services
• FBI Background Check Apostille – DC Submission
• Vital Record Retrieval in Massachusetts