Massachusetts Apostille Services Made Easy: Boston Notary Service Is Your Trusted Partner for Global Document Legalization



Introduction: Fast, Trusted Apostille Help from Boston’s Experts

Whether you're planning to work abroad, study internationally, get married overseas, or launch a business expansion, one critical step is ensuring your U.S. documents are properly legalized for international use. That’s where apostille services come in — and no one in Boston handles the process more efficiently and professionally than Boston Notary Service (BNS).

With decades of experience, same-day apostille processing, and a team deeply rooted in the Back Bay and South End neighborhoods, Boston Notary Service offers fast, reliable, and affordable apostille services in Massachusetts. We’ve helped thousands of clients prepare and authenticate their documents for countries around the world — including both Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention nations.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

What is an apostille?

What types of documents can be apostilled?

Apostille vs. Authentication for non-Hague countries

How the Massachusetts apostille process works

What makes Boston Notary Service the best choice

How to get started today




What Is a Massachusetts Apostille?

An apostille is an official certification issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth that verifies the authenticity of a public document for use in another country. It’s required for Hague Convention countries, which accept the apostille as a replacement for embassy legalization.

If you’re using a document like a birth certificate, diploma, FBI background check, marriage certificate, or corporate record abroad, chances are you’ll need it apostilled.

💡 Fun Fact: The apostille process exists because of a 1961 international treaty that simplifies the process of recognizing documents between participating countries.




Common Reasons Our Boston Clients Need Apostilles

At Boston Notary Service, we’ve seen it all. Clients come to us from across Massachusetts needing apostille services for a wide range of life events and business goals:

Applying for dual citizenship through Italy, Spain, or Portugal

Studying at universities in France, Japan, or Germany

Teaching English abroad (TEFL certification)

Getting married in countries like Mexico or the Dominican Republic

Working for a multinational company that requires a background check

Buying or inheriting real estate overseas

International adoption

Filing court documents internationally

Sending notarized business contracts abroad


If your paperwork is leaving the U.S., we make sure it's accepted on the other side.




Apostille vs. Authentication (Non-Hague Convention Countries)

Not every country recognizes apostilles. If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, you’ll need to follow a different process: authentication.

Here’s how we handle it at Boston Notary Service:

1. State Certification – Your document is first notarized and certified by Massachusetts.


2. U.S. Department of State – We send it to Washington, D.C. for federal-level authentication.


3. Embassy Legalization – The final step is legalization by the destination country’s embassy.



We regularly assist with embassy legalizations for China, UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and more.




What Documents Can Be Apostilled in Massachusetts?

We work with almost every kind of document that can be notarized or issued by a state or federal office. Our services cover personal, academic, legal, and business documents, including:

🧾 Vital Records:

Birth certificates (Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records)

Marriage certificates

Divorce decrees

Death certificates


🎓 Academic Documents:

High school transcripts

College diplomas and transcripts from Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Northeastern, Boston College, Lesley University, and more

Certificates of enrollment or graduation

TEFL, TESOL, and ESL certificates


⚖️ Legal and Court Documents:

Power of attorney

Adoption records

FBI background checks (federal apostille in D.C.)

Affidavits and notarized letters


🏢 Business and Corporate Documents:

Articles of Incorporation

Certificates of Good Standing

IRS letters (501c3 status)

Contracts and commercial agreements


We also help retrieve certified copies from Massachusetts state agencies if you’ve misplaced your original documents.




How the Apostille Process Works in Massachusetts

At Boston Notary Service, we simplify the process into a few fast steps:

1. Document Review – Send us a copy or photo of your documents. We confirm if they’re eligible for apostille or require notarization.


2. Notarization (If Needed) – We offer mobile or in-office notarization services across Boston and surrounding areas, including Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, Quincy, and the Seaport District.


3. State Apostille Submission – We hand-deliver documents to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's office to request the apostille. This ensures faster processing and fewer errors.


4. Optional Federal and Embassy Handling – If your document requires authentication through the U.S. Department of State and a consulate, we handle that too via our D.C. partners.


5. Return Delivery – We offer in-person pickup, express courier, or nationwide and international shipping options.






Why Choose Boston Notary Service for Apostille Services?

We aren’t just notaries — we’re apostille experts trusted by local residents, international law firms, universities, and major corporations. Here’s what makes us different:

✅ Decades of Experience

We’ve been serving Greater Boston for over 20 years. Apostilles are not a side service for us — it’s what we do, every day.

✅ Local, In-Person, and Mobile

We’re based in the heart of Boston and available to meet in person in areas like Back Bay, Downtown Crossing, South End, and Beacon Hill. We also offer mobile notary and apostille pickup for busy professionals and students.

✅ Knowledge of International Requirements

We track the unique document and translation requirements of over 100 countries, helping you avoid costly rejections or delays.

✅ One-Stop Shop

From notarization and certified translations to apostille, authentication, and embassy legalization — we handle it all.

✅ Fast Turnaround

Same-day or next-day apostille options are available for Massachusetts-issued documents. No need to wait weeks.



We Serve All of Massachusetts — and Beyond

Even though we’re proudly based in Boston, we serve clients throughout Massachusetts including:

Cambridge

Brookline

Somerville

Newton

Waltham

Quincy

Worcester

And more!


Live out of state or overseas? No problem. We process apostilles for mail-in clients from across the U.S. and abroad. Just ship us your documents and we’ll handle the rest.




Trusted by Students and Universities Across Boston

We are proud to support Boston’s world-renowned academic institutions. If you’re a student, graduate, or faculty member needing apostille services, we can help process your:

Diplomas and transcripts from Harvard University, MIT, Boston College, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, Boston University, UMass Boston, Lesley University, and more.

Academic verification letters and enrollment certifications


Our relationships with local registrars and notary offices help us move quickly and accurately.




Apostille for FBI Background Checks

Need to apostille your FBI background check for a visa, foreign work permit, or residency abroad? We assist with:

Submitting your background report (PDF) to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Expedited processing available in as little as 3–5 business days

Acceptance in countries like South Korea, Spain, Italy, and Thailand


Just email us your PDF, and we’ll take care of the rest.




Ready to Begin? Here's How to Get Started

Getting an apostille doesn’t have to be confusing or time-consuming. Here’s how to get started with Boston Notary Service:

1. Submit a Quick Request:
Visit our order form: https://bostonnotaryservice.us/apply-here


2. Email Us:
Send your document questions to: [email protected]


3. Call or Text:
We’re available at 617-230-6676 for immediate help


4. Walk-In Appointments:
Contact us for directions to our Boston headquarters, right near the Prudential Center and Copley Square.





Local. Experienced. Fast. Trusted.

Boston Notary Service is the #1 choice for apostille services in Massachusetts because we understand the stakes. Whether you’re navigating immigration, education, international adoption, or global business, our job is to simplify yours — quickly, legally, and accurately.

Don’t trust your international paperwork to an inexperienced notary or an impersonal mail-order site. Work with the professionals who live and breathe apostille services — right here in Boston.




Contact Boston Notary Service Today
📍 Serving Greater Boston and All of Massachusetts
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Call/Text: 617-230-6676
🌐 https://bostonnotaryservice.us




Let us take the stress out of your apostille process. Trust Boston Notary Service — Massachusetts’s Apostille Experts.