Boston Apostille Services for Alumni: How to Legalize Your College Documents Fast

If you're a graduate of a Massachusetts college or university and planning to work, study, or relocate abroad, you may be asked to provide an apostilled diploma, transcript, or degree verification. At Boston Notary Service, we specialize in helping alumni from schools like Harvard University, Boston University, Northeastern, UMass, Emerson, MIT, and Berklee quickly apostille their academic documents.

Whether you’ve been living overseas, applying for dual citizenship, or pursuing an international job opportunity, we’re here to help with fast, reliable apostille services right here in Boston, Massachusetts.




What Is an Apostille and Why Do Alumni Need One?

An apostille is a form of international document authentication governed by the Hague Convention of 1961. It verifies the legitimacy of your public documents—like academic records—so they’re accepted abroad without further certification.

If you graduated from a college or university in Massachusetts and now need to validate that education internationally, an apostille is typically required.



What If the Country Isn’t in the Hague Convention?

If the country you're sending your documents to is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you’ll likely need a more complex process called embassy or consular legalization.

This process usually involves:

Obtaining a notarized or certified document

Having it authenticated by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

Getting certification from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Visiting the foreign embassy or consulate for final legalization


This process is not called an apostille and takes longer. Countries that often require embassy legalization instead of apostilles include China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Egypt.

It's important to research whether your destination country is part of the Hague Convention before beginning the apostille process.



Most Common Academic Documents That Require Apostilles:

College Diplomas

University Transcripts

Letters from the Registrar

Enrollment Verifications

Certificates of Graduation or Completion

Letters of Recommendation (if notarized)

Academic Awards or Recognitions




Our Massachusetts Apostille Process for Alumni:

1. Document Preparation: You either send us your original diploma, a certified transcript, or an official university-issued letter—or we help you retrieve it.


2. Notarization (if needed): Some documents must be notarized prior to apostille. We’ll guide you.


3. Apostille Submission: We personally deliver your documents to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth for processing.


4. Return or Delivery: Your apostilled documents are securely returned to you or shipped globally, depending on your preference.





Why Boston Notary Service?

With decades of experience, Boston Notary Service is a trusted partner for local and international apostille needs. We’ve assisted alumni from:

Harvard University

Boston University

MIT

Northeastern University

Boston College

Suffolk University

Berklee College of Music

Lesley University

UMass Amherst & UMass Boston

Emerson College


We understand how these institutions process document requests and we stay up to date with state and federal authentication standards.



10 Countries Where Alumni Commonly Need Apostille Services:

1. Spain – Teaching, residency, and study abroad


2. Italy – Dual citizenship, employment


3. France – Higher education, visa sponsorships


4. South Korea – English teaching contracts


5. Germany – Graduate school, visa applications


6. Mexico – Immigration and work visas


7. Colombia – Marriage or dual nationality


8. Argentina – Study abroad programs


9. Portugal – Golden Visa and business opportunities


10. Brazil – Employment, marriage, and academic recognition



These countries all accept apostilled U.S. documents, and alumni frequently contact us when preparing for international transitions.

Local Boston Neighborhoods We Serve:

We’re proud to assist clients from all over Greater Boston, including:

Back Bay

South End

Seaport District

Cambridge (near Harvard & MIT)

Fenway–Kenmore (BU & Berklee)

Allston–Brighton

Downtown Crossing

Jamaica Plain

Brookline

All of Massachusetts, Nationwide FBI Background Check Apostille & out country customers 

FAQs About Apostille Services for Alumni

Q: Can I apostille a digital diploma or e-transcript?
A: Usually, no. Most states—including Massachusetts—require physical, original, or certified paper copies for apostille. Some schools may issue certified paper copies of electronic records.

Q: How long does the apostille process take?
A: Typical processing with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth is 1–4 business days. We offer expedited and same-day options for eligible documents.

Q: Do I need to notarize my diploma before apostille?
A: It depends on the school. Some universities issue certified diplomas that don’t need additional notarization, while others require it. We’ll review and advise.

Q: Can you retrieve transcripts or diplomas on my behalf?
A: In many cases, yes. Some schools allow us to request documents directly with proper authorization.

Q: Can I apostille documents for a country like China or the UAE?
A: These countries require embassy legalization, not an apostille. The process is different and more involved. It’s important to verify your destination country’s requirements.




How to Get Started

Step 1: Gather your documents or contact us to retrieve them for you
Step 2: Fill out our secure form online
Step 3: Let us handle the in-person filings and official processing
Step 4: Receive your fully apostilled documents

Apply Now: bostonnotaryservice.us/apply-here



Contact Boston Notary Service

Have questions? We're ready to assist.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-230-6676
Location: Serving all of Boston, Greater Boston, and Massachusetts



Alumni Apostille Experts in Boston

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a longtime alum, Boston Notary Service ensures your academic credentials are processed professionally and efficiently. Don’t risk delays with international applications—get your Massachusetts documents apostilled the right way.