Massachusetts Apostille Service: Authentication of Documents
Updated: Nov 3
An apostille authenticates the signature or seal on an eligible public document for use abroad. For a Massachusetts record, the first step is to identify who issued or signed it and where it will be used. Boston Notary Service reviews your packet and coordinates the agreed preparation, submission and return delivery.
How should I prepare my document?
Birth certificate
Have a certified copy? Tell us which office issued it. If you need retrieval, include the Massachusetts city or town of birth. Birth certificate service
Marriage certificate
Tell us where the marriage license was filed, which may differ from the wedding location, and whether you need a certified copy. Marriage record guidance
Death certificate
For an estate or inheritance abroad, share the issuing office, number of certified copies requested and destination country. Death certificate service
Negative Statement of Event
If Massachusetts vital records staff cannot locate the requested record using the details supplied, they issue a certified Negative Statement of Event. For marriage abroad, ask which names and years to search and whether the recipient also requires a single-status affidavit. Request a Negative Statement review
Diplomas & transcripts
Ask the recipient what it accepts before mailing your diploma or ordering a transcript. Include your school and whether the registrar has the record. University document guide
Court & divorce records
A divorce decree comes from the court. Identify the court and the record the recipient requested so we can review the certified-copy requirements. Court and divorce guidance
Business & corporate documents
List the issuer of each item. A state-issued certificate of good standing and minutes signed by a company officer may need different preparation, even in one filing. Request a corporate packet review
Powers of attorney & affidavits
Share the recipient’s signing instructions before signing. Tell us where the signer will appear and whether you also need a mobile notary. Plan a signing
FBI reports & federal records
An FBI Identity History Summary follows the federal route. For another federal document, identify the issuing agency and include its exact title. Federal document guide
Which documents go to Massachusetts?
The Secretary of the Commonwealth can certify eligible original signatures of Massachusetts officials and notaries. For a birth certificate, start with an official certified record. For a diploma, ask the recipient what it accepts and the registrar what it can prepare. For a power of attorney, confirm signing instructions before arranging notarization.
Which documents go to the federal government?
An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal record. The U.S. Department of State handles its federal apostille or authentication. If a visa application asks for both an FBI report and a Massachusetts birth certificate, list them separately. They can go to the same recipient but require different issuing authorities.
What if my document is still with the issuing office?
For a school record, tell us your university, the document title and whether the registrar has prepared it for release. For a birth record, tell us the Massachusetts city or town, whether you have a certified copy and how many copies you need. We confirm eligibility and any pickup authorization before quoting.
Does my destination need an apostille or authentication?
Where the Apostille Convention applies between the issuing and receiving countries, an apostille generally replaces further consular legalization. Other destinations may require authentication and additional steps. Share the recipient’s written requirements, including any translation or issue-date rule.
What should I send for a quote?
List each record, its issuing office, the destination, your required arrival date and the return-delivery location. Mention whether you need a certified copy, campus pickup or tracked shipping. Boston Notary Service reviews the packet and confirms the work, fees and available timing before you send originals.
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