When your documents need to be accepted overseas, precision and experience are everything. Whether you’re studying abroad, working internationally, expanding your business, or relocating, your paperwork must meet strict global standards.

At Boston Notary Service, we specialize in U.S. Department of State Apostille and Authentication Services for individuals, corporations, and institutions across the United States. We manage everything — from notarization and state certification to U.S. Department of State processing and embassy legalization — ensuring your documents are recognized worldwide.

We’ve helped clients in Massachusetts and all 50 states successfully apostille or authenticate their documents for use in Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention countries.

An apostille is a certification that verifies the authenticity of a public official’s signature on a document so it can be recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

If your document was issued by a federal agency, such as the FBI, IRS, or U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the apostille must be obtained from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

If your document is state-issued (for example, a Massachusetts birth certificate or university diploma), it must first be apostilled by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth before being accepted internationally.

Thousands of individuals and businesses every year need documents apostilled or authenticated for international use. You may need this service if you are:

✅ A student or graduate – submitting diplomas, transcripts, or FBI background checks for work or study abroad
✅ An immigrant or expatriate – presenting birth, marriage, or police records to a foreign government
✅ A business owner or corporation – authenticating contracts, bylaws, or incorporation documents for international expansion
✅ An adoption agency or parent – finalizing international adoption paperwork
✅ A retiree or traveler – moving or buying property overseas
✅ An attorney or law firm – submitting court judgments or power of attorney documents abroad
✅ A healthcare or education professional – validating licenses, certifications, or medical records internationally

Boston Notary Service provides complete document preparation, notarization, state certification, and U.S. Department of State authentication — all handled by experts.

We handle both state-level and federal-level documents, ensuring full international compliance.

Federal Documents (Processed through U.S. Department of State)

• FBI Background Checks
• Certificates of Naturalization or Citizenship
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office documents
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certificates
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) export letters
• IRS or Treasury-issued documents

State-Issued Documents (Massachusetts & All States)

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Diplomas, degrees, and transcripts
• Power of attorney
• Court judgments and affidavits
• Corporate formation documents
• Adoption records
• Medical and professional licenses

Our team ensures every document is reviewed, notarized, and formatted correctly before submission — saving you time and preventing costly rejections.

Countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 accept apostilles directly without embassy legalization.

Popular Hague Apostille Countries Include:

• United Kingdom
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Australia
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Mexico
• Chile
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Philippines
• Greece
• Switzerland
• Portugal

If your destination country is listed here, Boston Notary Service can process your apostille quickly through the Massachusetts Secretary of State or U.S. Department of State, depending on document type.

Countries not part of the Hague Convention do not accept apostilles. These countries require a multi-step authentication process — first by the U.S. Department of State, and then by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

Examples of Non-Hague Countries Include:

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

Boston Notary Service manages the entire chain of legalization for non-Hague countries — from notarization and state certification to U.S. Department of State authentication and embassy legalization.

We eliminate the stress and confusion of dealing with government agencies and embassies yourself.

1. Submit Your Documents – You can upload your documents securely or send them by mail.
2. Review & Preparation – We review each document for accuracy and notarization requirements.
3. Notarization (if required) – Our licensed notaries handle this step to ensure compliance.
4. State Certification or Federal Apostille – Depending on the document type, we process it through the appropriate authority.
5. U.S. Department of State Authentication – For federal or embassy-bound documents, we handle this directly in Washington, D.C.
6. Embassy Legalization (for non-Hague countries) – Final step for acceptance abroad.
7. Secure Return Delivery – Your completed documents are shipped safely anywhere in the U.S. or overseas.

Choosing the wrong service can delay your plans or cause rejections abroad. Boston Notary Service has decades of expertise helping thousands of clients with document authentication for over 190 countries.

What Makes Us the Trusted Leader:

• ✅ Nationwide Coverage – Serving all 50 states for both state and federal documents.
• ✅ Full-Service Provider – Notarization, apostille, authentication, and embassy legalization — all in one place.
• ✅ Fast Turnaround Options – Expedited service available for urgent international needs.
• ✅ Trusted by Universities & Businesses – Harvard, MIT, Boston College, and major corporations rely on us.
• ✅ Secure Mail-in or Drop-off Options – You can send your documents from anywhere in the U.S.
• ✅ Decades of Proven Experience – Established and trusted in Boston with nationwide reach.

Our mission is to make international document legalization simple, transparent, and worry-free.

• Studying or working abroad – Universities and employers often require verified academic or background documents.
• Immigration and visa processing – Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and background checks must be authenticated.
• Business formation overseas – Corporate documents must be legalized for foreign registration.
• Adoptions and family matters – Legal documents must meet foreign government requirements.
• Property purchases abroad – Power of attorney and identification documents must be validated.

No matter your reason, Boston Notary Service handles everything swiftly and accurately.

Can’t visit in person? No problem. Boston Notary Service provides secure nationwide mail-in apostille and authentication services.

You simply mail your documents to us — we handle everything else, including notarization, apostille, authentication, and embassy legalization. Once completed, your documents are returned securely to your address or directly to your destination country if needed.

Our clients often need apostille or authentication services for:

• Spain (dual citizenship, study abroad)
• Italy (citizenship recognition and family records)
• UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar (employment verification and business documents)
• China (adoption and corporate documents)
• India (educational document verification)
• South Korea & Japan (work and academic records)
• Mexico, Colombia, and Chile (dual nationality and legal documents)

Wherever you’re going, our team ensures your documents meet that country’s unique legal requirements.

How long does it take to get a U.S. Department of State Apostille?

Standard processing takes 3–4 weeks, but Boston Notary Service offers expedited services to complete your apostille in as little as a few business days.

Can I apostille digital or electronic documents?

Yes — in some cases. We’ll guide you on whether your document qualifies for e-apostille or requires physical certification.

Do I need to notarize my document before apostille?

Some documents must be notarized first. Our experts will review and handle this step for you to ensure compliance.

What’s the difference between an apostille and authentication?

Apostilles are for Hague Convention countries, while authentication plus embassy legalization is required for non-Hague countries.

Can Boston Notary Service handle both state and federal apostilles?

Yes! We process documents issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State and U.S. Department of State, offering a one-stop nationwide service.

Don’t risk delays or document rejections overseas. Trust Boston Notary Service — your nationwide experts for U.S. Department of State Apostille and Authentication Services.

📍 Serving all 50 States
📧 info@bostonnotaryservice.us
📞 617-230-6676
🔗 Apply for Apostille Services

Fast. Reliable. Nationwide.
Boston Notary Service — Massachusetts’s most trusted apostille provider for federal and international documents.