When your documents must be recognized outside the United States, especially in non-Hague Convention countries, you need more than just notarization. You need document authentication and full legalization—a process that verifies your notary seal, state certification, and U.S. Department of State authentication, culminating with legalization by the destination country’s embassy or consulate.

At Boston Notary Service, we handle Massachusetts notary public document authentication services from start to finish, ensuring your documents are accepted worldwide. Whether your paperwork is headed to China, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, or Kuwait, our team manages every step of the complex authentication and legalization process quickly and accurately.

What Is Document Authentication?

Document authentication is the process of verifying the legitimacy of a notarized or official document before it’s recognized in another country.
In Massachusetts, this process typically involves three levels of verification:

1. Notarization by a Massachusetts Notary Public
   Your document must first be properly notarized by a commissioned notary public. This ensures the signature and identity of the signer are legally verified.
2. Authentication by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
   Once notarized, the state verifies the notary’s commission and attaches a Certificate of Authority confirming the notary’s authority to act.
3. U.S. Department of State and Foreign Embassy Legalization
   For non-Hague Convention countries, your document must then be sent to the U.S. Department of State for authentication, followed by legalization at the foreign embassy or consulate in Washington, D.C.

Boston Notary Service handles all of these steps — saving you time, travel, and costly errors.

Apostille vs. Authentication: What’s the Difference?

If your destination country is a Hague Convention member, you only need an apostille—a simplified form of authentication that replaces embassy legalization.

However, for non-Hague Convention countries, such as:

• China
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• Vietnam
• Pakistan
• Jordan
• Lebanon

your documents require full authentication and legalization, including certification from the U.S. Department of State and the respective embassy.

At Boston Notary Service, we specialize in both apostille and authentication/legalization services, ensuring your documents meet the correct international requirements.

Common Documents We Authenticate and Legalize

Our team at Boston Notary Service assists with a wide range of personal, business, and academic documents, including:

Personal Documents

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates (retrieved from Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics)
• Divorce decrees
• Power of attorney
• Medical and vaccination records
• FBI background checks
• Adoption papers

Academic Documents

• University diplomas and transcripts
• High school records
• Certificates of enrollment or attendance
  We work with Boston’s top universities, including Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Northeastern, and Tufts, ensuring their graduates’ credentials are properly authenticated for overseas use.

Business and Corporate Documents

• Articles of incorporation
• Certificates of good standing
• Corporate resolutions
• Contracts and commercial invoices
  We support Boston-area businesses expanding into foreign markets by managing their document authentication and legalization for international trade, corporate registration, and foreign licensing.

Why Choose Boston Notary Service for Massachusetts Document Authentication?

✅ Experienced in International Legalization

With decades of experience, our specialists understand the evolving requirements of the U.S. Department of State and foreign embassies. Each country’s embassy has unique procedures and timelines, and we ensure your documents comply perfectly.

✅ In-Person Handling and Expedited Processing

We handle all Massachusetts state authentications in person, and coordinate with our Washington, D.C. legalization partners to process embassy certifications quickly and accurately.

✅ Full-Service Convenience

From notarization and state authentication to federal legalization and return shipping, we manage the entire process—so you don’t have to deal with confusing embassy instructions or mailing delays.

✅ Boston’s Trusted Apostille and Authentication Experts

Based in the South End and Back Bay of Boston, with service across Massachusetts and nationwide, Boston Notary Service is known for fast, reliable, and secure handling of sensitive documents. We’ve built long-standing relationships with clients, universities, attorneys, and corporate partners across the state.

Step-by-Step: The Legalization Process for Non-Hague Countries

If your document is destined for a non-Hague country, here’s how Boston Notary Service ensures a smooth process:

1. Document Preparation and NotarizationWe ensure your document is correctly notarized under Massachusetts law. Errors at this stage can cause rejections later, so our experienced notaries verify every detail.
2. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth AuthenticationWe submit the notarized document for a Certificate of Authority confirming your notary’s commission.
3. U.S. Department of State Authentication (Washington, D.C.)Once the state authentication is complete, we forward the document to the U.S. Department of State for federal authentication.
4. Embassy or Consulate LegalizationFinally, your document is presented to the foreign embassy or consulate for legalization. Each embassy may require specific fees, cover letters, or translations—which our team handles for you.
5. Secure Return and DeliveryUpon completion, we return your legalized documents to your preferred address, ready for submission abroad.

Countries Requiring Full Legalization (Non-Hague)

Boston Notary Service regularly handles document legalization for the following non-Hague countries:

• China
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Egypt
• Vietnam
• Saudi Arabia
• Jordan
• Pakistan
• Lebanon
• Taiwan
• Bangladesh

If you’re unsure whether your country requires an apostille or full legalization, our experts can guide you instantly.

Local Expertise with Global Reach

Located near Copley Square and serving clients throughout Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, and Quincy, Boston Notary Service connects local residents and businesses to the international stage.
Our team works directly with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office and the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office, ensuring accuracy and efficiency from Boston to Washington, D.C.

Whether you’re expanding your business overseas, studying abroad, or handling personal legal matters internationally, we make sure your Massachusetts documents meet the destination country’s requirements.

The Boston Advantage

Boston is home to some of the most internationally connected institutions in the United States—Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and world-class hospitals like Mass General. As a result, individuals and companies here often need document authentication and legalization services for use abroad.

Boston Notary Service proudly supports this global community by providing trusted, compliant, and expedited services that meet the highest standards.

Start Your Authentication or Legalization Process Today

If your documents require authentication or legalization, don’t risk delays or embassy rejections. Let Boston Notary Service handle the entire process for you.

📍 Visit us online: https://bostonnotaryservice.us
📧 Email: info@bostonnotaryservice.us
📞 Call or Text: 617-230-6676

We serve all of Massachusetts, including Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Quincy, Somerville, and the Seaport District, The Whole USA and Abroad!