When it comes to handling important documents that need to be recognized abroad, nothing is more crucial than having them properly apostilled or authenticated. Massachusetts residents and businesses often find themselves navigating complex international requirements, and that’s where Boston Notary Service steps in as the trusted authority. With decades of experience assisting individuals, universities, corporations, and law firms across the Commonwealth, we are proud to be Massachusetts’s leading resource for apostille and authentication services.

Unlike new or inexperienced providers, our firm has deep roots in Boston’s legal and business community. We understand the intricacies of both Hague Convention apostilles and non-Hague authentication procedures, and we manage the process from start to finish so you don’t waste valuable time with costly errors. Whether you’re preparing academic credentials, business contracts, or personal documents, we are here to ensure every step is handled correctly and efficiently.

Why Apostille Services Matter in Massachusetts

An apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of a public document so that it will be legally recognized in another country. If you are dealing with a Hague Convention member country, the apostille is the required form of validation. For countries outside the Hague Convention, documents must go through an authentication and legalization process instead.

In Massachusetts, the most common documents requiring apostille include:

University and College Records – diplomas, transcripts, and enrollment verifications from institutions like Harvard University, Boston University, Northeastern University, MIT, Boston College, and Lesley University.

Vital Records – birth, marriage, and death certificates from Massachusetts towns and cities, retrieved and processed quickly to meet urgent deadlines.

Corporate Documents – articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, board resolutions, and other business filings needed for international operations.

Legal and Court Documents – powers of attorney, affidavits, adoption papers, and judgments that must be recognized by foreign jurisdictions.

FBI Background Checks – authenticated at the federal level in Washington, DC, for individuals working or moving abroad.


Every type of document comes with its own rules, and errors in notarization, certification, or submission can lead to delays or outright rejection. That’s why Massachusetts residents and organizations trust our firm: we make sure the process is done right the first time.

Why Boston Notary Service is the Authority in Massachusetts Apostille

We are not a one-size-fits-all notary shop or a new business trying to enter the market. Boston Notary Service has decades of experience handling apostille requests of every kind, and our leadership in the industry is unmatched. Clients continue to choose us because we offer more than convenience—we deliver expertise, reliability, and professionalism.

Expert Knowledge – We know Massachusetts laws, Secretary of State procedures, and federal authentication processes inside and out.

Decades of Experience – With a long-standing presence in Boston, we have built trusted relationships with government offices, universities, and institutions that streamline processing.

End-to-End Service – From retrieving documents to notarization, certification, apostille, or legalization, we manage everything in-house.

Local Authority – Our business began in the Back Bay and South End, and we continue to serve clients throughout Greater Boston and beyond with unmatched dedication.

Global Reach – Whether your documents are going to Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, or the Middle East, we understand the unique requirements of each destination country.


When clients work with us, they aren’t just hiring a service—they are relying on a partner with the experience to protect their interests and ensure their documents are valid anywhere in the world.

Apostille for Massachusetts Universities and Colleges

Boston is known worldwide for its universities, and thousands of students and graduates require apostilles every year to pursue international opportunities. From study abroad programs to employment visas, having correctly apostilled academic credentials is critical.

We assist students and alumni from every major Massachusetts institution, including Harvard University, MIT, Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University, Tufts, Lesley University, UMass, and more. With decades of experience, we know exactly how each school issues diplomas and transcripts, and we coordinate with registrars to ensure everything is prepared properly for apostille.

Whether you are applying to a foreign graduate program, seeking professional licensing overseas, or preparing immigration documentation, Boston Notary Service is the trusted authority to handle your academic apostille needs.

Apostille for Vital Records in Massachusetts

Vital records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates are among the most common documents requiring apostille. The challenge many residents face is that these documents can only be issued by the city or town where the event occurred—or by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records. Retrieving and authenticating them can be a time-consuming process.

Boston Notary Service simplifies this process by retrieving certified copies on your behalf, then managing the apostille directly with the Secretary of State’s office. Whether you were born in Boston, married in Cambridge, or need a family member’s death certificate from Worcester, we can expedite the process and ensure your documents are accepted abroad.

Business and Corporate Apostille Services

Massachusetts companies expanding into international markets often require apostille services for corporate filings. Whether opening a subsidiary in Europe, signing contracts in Asia, or proving corporate standing to a foreign bank, properly authenticated documents are essential.

We work with startups, small businesses, and multinational corporations alike, helping them prepare:

Certificates of Incorporation

Certificates of Good Standing

Articles of Organization

Board Resolutions

Powers of Attorney


By trusting Boston Notary Service, business owners ensure that their corporate documents will be recognized by foreign governments, regulators, and financial institutions.

Apostille vs. Authentication – Understanding the Difference

Apostille services apply to countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. If the receiving country is not part of the Convention, documents must be authenticated and legalized instead. This process involves multiple steps, including certification by the Secretary of State, authentication by the U.S. Department of State, and final legalization by the foreign embassy or consulate.

Our firm handles both processes, so whether your documents are headed to Spain, Brazil, China, or the UAE, we ensure they meet all international standards.

Why Choose Boston Notary Service Over Others

Many notary businesses have sprung up in recent years offering apostille services, but few have the experience, knowledge, and established authority that we bring to every client. What sets us apart is not just the number of years we have been in business, but the trust we have earned across Massachusetts as the go-to provider for reliable, professional apostille assistance.

Clients turn to us because they want peace of mind knowing their documents are handled correctly, securely, and without unnecessary delays.

Work with the Massachusetts Apostille Experts

If you need apostille or authentication services in Massachusetts, don’t risk mistakes or delays with inexperienced providers. Trust the authoritative leader in Massachusetts document authentication—Boston Notary Service.

Contact us today at [email protected] or call 617-230-6676 to begin the process. We serve clients in Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Worcester, Springfield, the South Shore, North Shore, and across the Commonwealth.

With decades of proven experience and unmatched expertise, Boston Notary Service is your trusted partner for all Massachusetts apostille and authentication needs.