Navigating international document requirements can be one of the most frustrating and time-sensitive processes individuals and businesses face. Whether you are a student graduating from Harvard University, a Massachusetts resident applying for dual citizenship, or a corporation expanding operations overseas, your documents must be properly authenticated before they will be accepted abroad.

At Boston Notary Service, we provide professional, service-based Massachusetts apostille and document legalization solutions designed to eliminate delays, prevent rejections, and deliver results fast. With decades of experience working directly with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, federal agencies, and foreign consulates, we manage the entire process from start to finish.

This comprehensive guide explains Massachusetts apostille services, document legalization, Hague Convention compliance, and why Boston Notary Service is the trusted authority for apostilles in Boston and throughout Massachusetts.

A Massachusetts apostille is an official certificate issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that authenticates the signature, seal, and authority of the public official who signed a document.

The apostille confirms that:

• The notary public, clerk, registrar, or court official is properly commissioned
• The signature and seal are genuine
• The document is valid for international use in Hague Convention countries

Apostilles are only accepted by countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. If your destination country is not a Hague member, your documents must go through consular legalization, which involves additional steps.

Knowing whether you need an apostille or legalization is critical.

Apostille Countries (Hague Convention)

Examples include: Italy
Spain
Portugal
France
Germany
Greece
Brazil
South Korea

For these countries, a Massachusetts apostille is the final step.

Non-Hague Countries (Legalization Required)

Examples include: China
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Vietnam
Thailand

These documents must complete a multi-step legalization chain, which Boston Notary Service manages in full.

Boston Notary Service provides end-to-end apostille services, not just document drop-off. We handle notarization, document review, state authentication, federal processing, and consular submission.

Vital records must be certified originals issued by the appropriate Massachusetts authority. Photocopies are not accepted.

Birth Certificate Apostille – Massachusetts

Required for: Dual citizenship
Foreign residency
International adoption
Marriage abroad

We retrieve or authenticate birth certificates issued by: Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records
Boston City Hall
All Massachusetts town clerks

Marriage Certificate Apostille

Commonly required for: Spousal visas
Name changes abroad
Immigration applications

Death Certificate Apostille

Used for: International probate
Foreign estates
Inheritance matters

Divorce Decree Apostille

Certified through the Probate and Family Court in Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, and all MA counties.

Boston is a global education hub, and Boston Notary Service has decades of experience apostilling academic records for every major institution in Massachusetts.

We specialize in: Diploma apostille
Transcript apostille
Enrollment verification apostille
Degree certification apostille

Universities we routinely serve include: Harvard University
MIT
Boston University
Boston College
Northeastern University
Tufts University
Lesley University
UMass campuses

We coordinate directly with registrars to ensure documents are properly notarized before state submission, preventing rejection.

For companies expanding internationally, properly authenticated documents are mandatory.

We handle: Articles of Organization apostille
Articles of Incorporation apostille
Certificate of Good Standing Massachusetts
Corporate bylaws apostille
Board resolutions apostille
Commercial invoices
Certificates of origin

Our clients include: Tech startups
Biotech companies
Manufacturers
Exporters
Law firms
International investors

We offer expedited apostille services for time-sensitive transactions.

Some documents fall outside state jurisdiction and must be processed at the federal level.

Boston Notary Service provides secure courier services to Washington, DC for:

FBI background check apostille
Identity History Summary authentication
Social Security benefit letters
Federal court documents

These services are essential for: Work visas
Residency permits
Golden Visa programs
International employment

Boston Notary Service is a leader in mobile notary services in Boston, allowing us to notarize documents wherever you need us.

We travel to: Homes
Offices
Hospitals
Universities
Nursing facilities

Service areas include: Back Bay
Seaport District
South End
Beacon Hill
Cambridge
Brookline
Newton
Quincy
Somerville

Mobile notarization integrates seamlessly into our apostille process, saving you time.

Mail-in apostille requests can take 10–14 business days or longer.

Boston Notary Service performs daily in-person submissions at: One Ashburton Place
Boston, Massachusetts

Our expedited services include: Same-day apostille Boston
24-hour apostille Massachusetts
Rush apostille services

This hand-carry process dramatically reduces turnaround times.

One of the most common reasons apostilles are rejected is improper notarization.

Our pre-audit process includes: Document review before notarization
Verification of notary commission status
Seal and formatting compliance
Consular requirement confirmation

This service-first approach ensures your documents are accepted the first time.

Boston Notary Service provides apostille services for all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns, including:

Boston
Cambridge
Somerville
Brookline
Newton
Quincy
Waltham
Medford
Malden
Chelsea
Revere
Everett
Worcester
Framingham
Lowell
Springfield

No matter where your document originates, we can process it.

How long does an apostille take in Massachusetts?

Standard processing takes about two weeks. Our expedited service often completes within one to two business days.

Can I apostille a photocopy?

Photocopies must be notarized as a copy certification before they can be apostilled.

What is the cost?

The Massachusetts state fee is per document. Service fees vary based on urgency and complexity.

Do you handle international legalization?

Yes. We manage the full consular legalization process for non-Hague countries.

Decades of Massachusetts apostille experience
Direct in-person access to the Secretary of the Commonwealth
University, corporate, and legal expertise
Mobile notary integration
Federal and consular processing

We don’t guess. We don’t cut corners. We deliver compliant, accepted documents.

If you need fast, accurate apostille services in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, Boston Notary Service is ready to help.

Visit: BostonNotaryService.us
Email: [email protected]
Call or Text: 617-230-6676

Free document review available.