Boston Notary Service | Apostille Experts for Marriage Abroad & Legal Documents

If you’re planning to get married abroad, apply for citizenship, or need to prove you’ve never been married in Massachusetts, you may be asked for a Negative Statement or Single Status Affidavit. This document confirms there’s no marriage record on file for your name in the state.

At Boston Notary Service, we specialize in helping clients retrieve, notarize, and apostille Massachusetts Negative Statements — ensuring your paperwork is ready for international use, whether it’s for marriage, visa applications, or residency abroad.

🔍 What Is a Negative Statement in Massachusetts?

A Negative Statement (sometimes called a Certificate of No Record of Marriage or Single Status Affidavit) is issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS). It verifies that after searching state marriage records, no marriage record was found under your name.

This document is commonly required when:

• You are getting married outside the United States and must prove you’re legally single.
• You’re applying for residency or dual citizenship in another country.
• You’re handling immigration, adoption, or embassy-related matters.

Essentially, it’s your proof of single status, recognized both domestically and internationally — once properly apostilled or legalized.

📝 Negative Statement vs. Single Status Affidavit

While both terms are often used interchangeably, there’s a small difference:

• A Negative Statement is issued directly by the State of Massachusetts confirming that no marriage record exists.
• A Single Status Affidavit is a sworn statement you sign before a Notary Public declaring that you are single.

Some countries accept one or the other, while others require both documents to be notarized and apostilled.

At Boston Notary Service, we help determine which version your destination country requires and prepare the documents accordingly — saving you time, money, and uncertainty.

🗂️ How Boston Notary Service Simplifies the Process

Our team manages the entire process for you from start to finish.

Here’s how it works:

1. Record Retrieval:
   We contact the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in person or by mail to retrieve your Negative Statement (Certificate of No Marriage Record).
2. Affidavit Preparation & Notarization:
   If your destination country requires a Single Status Affidavit, we’ll prepare it and notarize your sworn statement.
3. Apostille or Authentication:For Hague Convention countries, we obtain an Apostille Certificate from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.
   For non-Hague countries (like China, UAE, or Qatar), we manage U.S. Department of State authentication and foreign consulate legalization for complete compliance.
   
4. Delivery:
   Once completed, your document is securely shipped to you or your foreign contact, ready for international use.

You’ll never have to navigate confusing state websites, government counters, or embassies — Boston Notary Service handles it all.

🌎 Why You Need a Massachusetts Negative Statement Apostille

If you plan to marry abroad, most countries will not recognize your marital eligibility until you present an apostilled proof of single status. Without the apostille, your Negative Statement or affidavit will not be valid internationally.

Countries that frequently require this documentation include:

• Italy
• Spain
• Portugal
• Philippines
• Mexico
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates

Each nation has its own requirements, but one constant remains: the document must be authenticated through apostille or consular legalization — which Boston Notary Service handles seamlessly.

🕰️ Processing Times & Expedited Options

Our decades of experience working directly with Massachusetts state offices allows us to process Negative Statement apostilles faster than most mail-in services.

Standard processing typically takes 5–10 business days, but expedited service is available for urgent international deadlines such as upcoming weddings or embassy appointments.

If you’re in a rush, our in-person retrieval and same-day submission at the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office in Downtown Boston can make all the difference.

🏛️ Trusted Local Service with Decades of Experience

Boston Notary Service began in Boston’s historic South End–Back Bay area, serving individuals, universities, and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.
Over the years, our team has handled thousands of apostilles for:

• Educational Documents (Diplomas, Transcripts, Certificates)
• Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates)
• Legal Affidavits and Powers of Attorney
• FBI Background Checks
• Single Status Affidavits / Negative Statements

Our proximity to Copley Square, the Boston Public Library, and the Massachusetts State House means we can process your Massachusetts apostilles in person and on time — giving you an edge over online-only or out-of-state agencies.

📜 Apostille vs. Authentication: Understanding the Difference

Depending on where you’re submitting your document, the process differs slightly:

• Apostille:
  For Hague Convention countries, the Apostille certifies the document’s authenticity for use abroad — no further embassy legalization needed.
• Authentication & Legalization:
  For non-Hague countries (e.g., UAE, China, or Vietnam), the process involves multiple steps:Notarization (if applicable)
  State authentication (Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth)
  U.S. Department of State certification (Washington, D.C.)
  Embassy or consulate legalization
  

Boston Notary Service provides both routes depending on your destination country’s requirements — all coordinated for you under one service.

📂 What We’ll Need from You

To begin the process for your Massachusetts Negative Statement Apostille or Single Status Affidavit, please provide:

• Your full legal name (as it appears on your ID)
• Date of birth
• Address and timeframe of residence in Massachusetts
• Destination country (so we know if it’s a Hague or non-Hague process)
• A valid ID (passport or driver’s license copy)

Once we have this information, our team will prepare the appropriate forms and begin your retrieval and apostille process immediately.

🧭 Serving All Massachusetts Cities & Beyond

Our services cover all Massachusetts towns and cities — including: Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Quincy, Newton, Worcester, Lowell, Springfield, and beyond.

We also serve clients nationwide and internationally who need Massachusetts-issued documents authenticated. Whether you’re living in New York, Florida, California, or abroad, we can handle your paperwork directly in Boston for you.

⚡ Why Choose Boston Notary Service?

✅ Decades of Apostille Experience: Trusted since our beginnings in the South End, we’ve become Massachusetts’s most reliable apostille provider.
✅ Local Authority Access: We personally visit state offices to ensure quick, correct results.
✅ Secure & Confidential: Your data and documents are handled with the highest security standards.
✅ Nationwide Assistance: We help clients across the U.S. and overseas with Massachusetts-issued documents.
✅ Fast, Friendly, and Professional: Our clients trust us for transparent communication and smooth service every time.

📞 Get Started Today

Whether you need a Massachusetts Negative Statement, Single Status Affidavit, or Certificate of No Record of Marriage for marriage abroad or visa applications, Boston Notary Service makes the process effortless.

Let our experienced apostille specialists handle the paperwork so you can focus on your next chapter.

📍 Boston Notary Service
📧 info@bostonnotaryservice.us
📞 617.230.6676
🌐 https://bostonnotaryservice.us

Serving clients in Boston, Cambridge, Quincy, the Seaport District, and throughout Massachusetts.
We retrieve, notarize, and apostille your Massachusetts Negative Statement — quickly, securely, and professionally.