Boston Notary Service – Your Trusted Source for a Massachusetts Apostille

When it comes to authenticating your important documents for international use, you need a service you can rely on for precision, speed, and deep knowledge of the Massachusetts apostille process. Boston Notary Service is Massachusetts’s leading provider of apostille services, trusted by individuals, families, corporations, universities, and law firms for decades. Our team has built a reputation on accuracy, reliability, and personal attention, ensuring your documents are prepared and processed correctly the first time—saving you both time and frustration.

Whether you are a Boston-area student planning to work abroad, a business expanding into foreign markets, or a family preparing adoption paperwork, Boston Notary Service is here to make the apostille process seamless. We proudly serve clients across Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Quincy, Worcester, Springfield, Fall River, the Seaport District, and beyond—as well as clients who send their documents from across the United States for Massachusetts apostille services.




What is an Apostille?

An apostille is a special form of certification issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth that verifies the authenticity of a public document for use in a country that is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961. It confirms that the notary public, public official, or clerk who signed your document was authorized to do so. This allows your document to be legally recognized in the receiving country.

If your destination country is not a Hague member, your document will require authentication instead of an apostille. Authentication typically involves additional steps, such as certification by the U.S. Department of State and legalization by the foreign embassy or consulate.




Why You Need Boston Notary Service for Your Massachusetts Apostille

Apostille processing is not simply about mailing a document to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. It’s about knowing exactly what is required for each type of document and ensuring those requirements are met before submission. Missing details or improper notarization can result in rejection, delays, or the need to start over.

Here’s why our clients choose Boston Notary Service over new or inexperienced providers:

Decades of Experience – We have processed thousands of apostilles for personal, academic, corporate, and legal documents.

In-Person Service at the State Office – We don’t just mail your documents; we hand-deliver them to the Massachusetts Secretary of State for faster turnaround.

Specialization in Massachusetts Apostilles – Unlike nationwide mail-only companies, we are rooted in Massachusetts and know local requirements inside and out.

Expert Handling of University Documents – We assist students and alumni from Harvard University, MIT, Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University, Lesley University, and all other Massachusetts schools with apostilling diplomas, transcripts, and certificates.

Embassy & Consulate Legalization – For non-Hague countries, we manage the entire authentication and legalization process.

Document Retrieval Services – Need a certified copy of your birth, marriage, or death certificate? We can obtain it directly from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records.





Types of Documents We Apostille

At Boston Notary Service, we can apostille or authenticate nearly any Massachusetts-issued public document, including:

Personal Documents

Birth Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Divorce Decrees

Death Certificates

Adoption Papers

Name Change Certificates


Academic Documents

Diplomas & Degrees

Transcripts

Letters of Enrollment or Attendance

Teaching Certificates


Corporate & Legal Documents

Power of Attorney

Corporate Bylaws

Articles of Incorporation

Partnership Agreements

Certificates of Good Standing


Other Notarized Documents

Affidavits

Real Estate Documents

Contracts

Financial Statements





Hague vs. Non-Hague Countries

Knowing whether your destination country is a member of the Hague Convention is critical because it determines the process you need to follow.

Hague Convention Countries – Require an apostille only, which Massachusetts issues directly.

Non-Hague Countries – Require authentication and legalization, which involves the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, the U.S. Department of State, and the foreign embassy or consulate.


Example:

Spain (Hague member) → Apostille from Massachusetts Secretary of State is all you need.

China (non-Hague member) → Authentication from Massachusetts, certification from U.S. State Department, legalization from Chinese Consulate.


We handle both types, saving you hours of research and avoiding costly mistakes.




Step-by-Step Massachusetts Apostille Process

Here’s how Boston Notary Service simplifies the process for you:

1. Document Review – We carefully check your document for eligibility and ensure it meets all apostille requirements.


2. Notarization (if needed) – If your document isn’t already notarized, our licensed Massachusetts notaries can notarize it for you.


3. In-Person Submission – We hand-deliver your document to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office in Boston or Springfield for processing.


4. Tracking & Updates – We keep you informed at every step, so you know exactly where your document is in the process.


5. Secure Delivery – Once completed, we return your apostilled document via FedEx, UPS, or USPS Express—or you can pick it up in person.






Local Expertise, Global Reach

While our office is deeply rooted in Boston—just minutes from Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, the Seaport District, and Back Bay—our reach is truly international. We assist clients whose documents are destined for countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

From the busy student neighborhoods near Harvard Square to the corporate offices in Financial District, we know Boston’s communities, and we understand the urgency of your international document needs.




Turnaround Times

In Massachusetts, apostille processing can vary depending on demand. Standard mail-in service can take up to 20 business days or more. But when you work with Boston Notary Service, our in-person delivery can often cut that time dramatically, ensuring your documents are processed in as little as 1–3 business days for urgent needs.




Avoiding Common Apostille Mistakes

Many people waste time and money by submitting documents that will be rejected. Common mistakes include:

Submitting photocopies instead of certified originals

Using out-of-state documents for Massachusetts apostille

Not having a notary public’s commission verified by the state

Forgetting translations for foreign-language documents


Our team catches these errors before submission, ensuring smooth, fast approval.




Why Boston Notary Service is Different

Plenty of online companies claim to offer apostille services—but most operate from outside Massachusetts and simply forward your documents by mail. That means delays and higher rejection rates.

We’re local, experienced, and hands-on. Our decades of work in the South End, Back Bay, and throughout Boston mean we’ve built trusted relationships with the offices that process your documents. When you need a Massachusetts apostille done right the first time, we are the only choice.




How to Get Started

Getting started is simple:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 617-230-6676

Online Form: Apply for Apostille Services Here


Whether you’re in Boston or halfway around the world, you can start your Massachusetts apostille process today by emailing us your details or sending your documents by mail.



Your documents are too important to trust to chance. Boston Notary Service offers unmatched experience, local access, and personalized service for all your Massachusetts apostille and authentication needs. From birth certificates to university diplomas, we ensure every document leaves our hands ready for international recognition.

We are Boston’s trusted source for Massachusetts apostille services—serving our neighbors, our students, and our businesses with dedication and precision.

📍 Boston Notary Service – Apostilles Made Simple, Fast, and Reliable.