How to Apostille Documents for Spain, France, and Italy from the U.S.

Your complete guide from Boston Notary Service — trusted for Massachusetts apostille services



🌍 Why Apostille Services Matter for International Travel

If you're planning to live, study, marry, or do business in Spain, France, or Italy, your U.S. documents will need to be apostilled for them to be legally recognized overseas.

These three countries are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means they require a specific form of document authentication — and only properly apostilled documents will be accepted by their courts, schools, embassies, or government agencies.

At Boston Notary Service, we guide you through every step to ensure your paperwork is accurate, timely, and fully compliant with the destination country’s rules.



✅ What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a form of authentication issued by a U.S. state or federal government agency that certifies the origin of a public document. It confirms that a notary public, government registrar, or official has properly signed or sealed the document.

It’s used to make documents legally valid across all Hague Convention member countries, including:

🇪🇸 Spain

🇫🇷 France

🇮🇹 Italy


If your documents aren't apostilled, they may be rejected or result in major delays with your application process.



📄 Common U.S. Documents That Require Apostilles

You may need one or more of the following documents apostilled depending on your destination and purpose:

✅ Birth Certificates

✅ Marriage Certificates

✅ Divorce Decrees

✅ Death Certificates

✅ Diplomas & Academic Transcripts

✅ FBI Background Checks

✅ Power of Attorney

✅ Articles of Incorporation or Corporate Documents

✅ Single Status Affidavits

✅ Notarized Personal Letters


We handle all of the above at Boston Notary Service, ensuring each one is processed according to the exact requirements of your target country.



🛠️ The Apostille Process in 4 Simple Steps

1. Document Check & Preparation

We start by reviewing your documents to ensure they’re eligible. For example:

Vital records must be original or certified copies.

FBI reports must be issued directly by the FBI.

University documents must be properly signed and sealed by the registrar.


2. Notarization (if needed)

Some documents — like affidavits or power of attorney — require notarization before they can be apostilled. We offer mobile notary services across Boston, including the South End, Back Bay, Seaport District, and Cambridge.

3. Submission for Apostille

We determine whether your documents require a Massachusetts state apostille or a federal apostille through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

4. Secure Delivery

Once complete, your documents are shipped to you via FedEx or UPS. For time-sensitive matters, we can arrange special courier delivery or in-hand service upon request.



🇪🇸 Apostille for Spain

Planning to work, study, or marry in Spain? You’ll likely need apostilles for documents like:

Birth & marriage certificates

FBI background checks

Diplomas and transcripts

Power of attorney or notarized statements


📌 Pro Tip: Spanish consulates often require a certified Spanish translation completed after the apostille. Confirm translation requirements ahead of time with the consulate handling your documents.



🇫🇷 Apostille for France

France commonly requests apostilled documents for:

Long-term visa applications

Employment contracts

School admissions

French citizenship or residency applications

Business formation or incorporation


📌 Pro Tip: Many French institutions require that documents be issued within the past 90 to 180 days, so be sure to obtain fresh copies of any vital records before starting the process.



🇮🇹 Apostille for Italy

Italy has strict documentation standards, especially for:

Citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis)

Italian marriage registration

Visa applications

Residency or school admissions


📌 Pro Tip: Use a translator certified in Italian legal translation to ensure the translated version meets Italian consular formatting rules.

📌 Bonus Tip: Italian consulates often require apostilled documents to be recent — no older than 6 months. Get fresh certified copies from your local city clerk or vital records office before submitting.



📦 Delivery Options That Fit Your Timeline

We typically ship apostilled documents via FedEx or UPS with tracking. For urgent or high-priority requests, we can arrange:

Overnight shipping

International delivery coordination

Local courier or in-hand delivery by request


Whether you’re in Boston, Brookline, Quincy, or Worcester, we’ll get your documents to you safely and on time.



💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does the apostille process take?

Massachusetts Apostille: 1–3 business days

Federal Apostille (U.S. State Dept.): 3–5 weeks (expedited options available)


Can you notarize and apostille my documents the same day?

Yes, for eligible documents, we offer same-day notary + rush apostille in the Boston area.

Do I need translations before or after the apostille?

Always apostille your document first, then obtain the translation. This ensures the final product matches legal expectations overseas.

Can I send documents by mail?

Absolutely. Clients outside Boston can mail in their documents. We’ll take care of the rest and ship them back apostilled and ready.



🏛️ Why Boston Notary Service?

We’re not just another notary — we’re Massachusetts’s premier apostille provider, trusted by:

International students

Attorneys and law firms

Dual citizenship applicants

Global businesses

Everyday Bostonians


Here’s why clients choose us:

📍 In-depth knowledge of Massachusetts and federal apostille procedures

📄 Access to vital record retrieval for cities across MA

🎓 University-focused apostille services for Harvard, BU, MIT, BC, and more

🚗 Mobile notary and same-day options in Greater Boston

🌎 Partnerships with national providers like Cal Apostilles for coast-to-coast support




📞 Ready to Apostille Your Documents for Spain, France, or Italy?

Skip the guesswork. Let us handle your apostille needs with accuracy, speed, and professionalism.

📩 Email: info@bostonnotaryservice.us
📱 Call or Text: 617-230-6676
📝 Apply Online: https://bostonnotaryservice.us/apply-here

Whether you're headed to Barcelona, Paris, or Rome, Boston Notary Service is your trusted guide for all things apostille.