Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary of State Apostille Services – Boston, Fall River, and Springfield

When your documents need to cross borders, a simple notarization isn’t enough. Many foreign countries require that your Massachusetts-issued documents be authenticated by an apostille or, for non-Hague Convention countries, through a multi-step authentication process.

At the heart of this process in Massachusetts is the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Apostille Division. If you’re in Boston, Fall River, or Springfield, Boston Notary Service offers a streamlined, professional, and fast way to get your documents apostilled or authenticated without the hassle, delays, and guesswork.

We’ve been doing this for decades — assisting universities, law firms, medical institutions, government agencies, and thousands of everyday residents in getting their documents recognized worldwide.




What Is an Apostille and Why Do You Need It?

An apostille is a specialized certificate issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that verifies the authenticity of a public document so that it will be recognized in other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

If the country you’re sending your documents to is not part of the Hague Convention, your paperwork will require authentication instead — a lengthier process that may involve:

1. The Massachusetts Secretary of State.


2. The U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.


3. The foreign embassy or consulate of the destination country.



Our team at Boston Notary Service handles both Hague and non-Hague requests daily, ensuring your documents meet the exact legal requirements of the destination country.




Documents Commonly Apostilled in Massachusetts

We handle all types of documents, including:

Vital records: Massachusetts birth, marriage, and death certificates from any city or town clerk’s office.

Educational credentials: Diplomas, transcripts, certificates of attendance, and verification letters from schools and universities.

Corporate and business records: Certificates of Good Standing, Articles of Incorporation, and company bylaws.

Court-issued documents: Divorce decrees, judgments, and adoption records.

Legal and personal documents: Powers of attorney, affidavits, contracts, and sworn statements.

FBI background checks: Processed through Washington, D.C., for federal apostille.





The Massachusetts Apostille Office – Centralized but Inaccessible for Many

The Massachusetts Secretary of State Apostille Office is in Boston, but residents in Fall River, Springfield, and surrounding towns often find it inconvenient or costly to travel there in person.

That’s where Boston Notary Service steps in — offering mail-in apostille processing, local pickups, and same-day courier service directly to the Secretary of State’s office.

We save you the time, parking fees, and stress of navigating downtown Boston traffic and government lines.




Our Service Areas – How We Help Each City

Boston, MA – The State’s International Gateway

Boston is home to world-class universities, multinational corporations, and some of the busiest immigration attorneys in New England. Every day, we assist:

Students from Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, and Northeastern University needing diplomas authenticated to work or study abroad.

Medical professionals whose credentials must be recognized in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UAE.

Law firms filing international legal paperwork.


Landmarks we serve near: Boston City Hall, Seaport District Waterfront, Back Bay, South End, and Government Center — just steps from the Massachusetts State House.

Boston Success Story: A Harvard graduate needed her diploma apostilled for a teaching position in Spain. She contacted us Friday morning, and we had her documents back in her hands — fully apostilled — by Monday afternoon.




Fall River, MA – Serving the South Coast and Portuguese-Speaking Clients

Fall River has a large Portuguese and Brazilian community, and we frequently process documents going to Portugal and Brazil. Our services here include:

Apostilling Portuguese-language translations of vital records.

Certifying business documents for textile and fishing industry exports.

Processing marriage and birth certificates from Bristol County towns.


Landmarks we serve near: Battleship Cove, Fall River Government Center, Bristol Community College, and the historic downtown district.

Fall River Success Story: A couple needed their marriage certificate authenticated for Portugal before their immigration appointment. We picked up the document locally, processed it in Boston, and returned it within 48 hours — saving them a missed deadline.




Springfield, MA – Western Massachusetts’ Apostille Hub

In Springfield, clients often need our services for:

Immigration paperwork requiring birth certificates.

International adoption dossiers.

Educational records from Springfield College, Western New England University, and American International College.


Landmarks we serve near: Springfield City Hall, Basketball Hall of Fame, Union Station, and Court Square.

Springfield Success Story: A business owner needed Articles of Incorporation authenticated for a trade agreement in Japan. We coordinated notarization, Secretary of State authentication, and Japanese consulate legalization in under a week.




Step-by-Step Massachusetts Apostille Process

1. Document Review – We verify your document meets Massachusetts apostille requirements.


2. Preparation – Notarization is done if required.


3. Courier to Secretary of State – We deliver your documents directly for processing.


4. Collection & Return – We pick up your documents once complete and return them via FedEx, USPS Express, or hand delivery.


5. International Readiness – Your document is now ready for official use abroad.




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Hague vs. Non-Hague Countries – What You Must Know

Hague Apostille Countries: Require only the apostille from the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Examples: Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Japan.

Non-Hague Countries: Require additional steps, including authentication by the U.S. Department of State and the country’s embassy. Examples: China, UAE, Canada, and most Middle Eastern nations.


We’ve built strong working relationships with foreign consulates in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., which allows us to speed up even complex cases.




Frequently Asked Questions – Massachusetts Apostille

1. How long does it take to get an apostille in Massachusetts?
Standard mail-in: up to 10 business days. With Boston Notary Service courier service: 1–3 days.

2. Do you handle rush apostilles?
Yes — we offer same-day and next-day turnaround in most cases.

3. Can you retrieve my birth certificate for me?
Absolutely. We retrieve Massachusetts vital records from any city or town clerk’s office.

4. Do you work with foreign language documents?
Yes — we work with translations and notarized interpreter affidavits.

5. What if my destination country is not in the Hague Convention?
We handle the additional authentication and consular legalization steps for you.

6. Can you handle FBI background check apostilles?
Yes — processed through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

7. What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept major credit cards, PayPal, and business checks.

…and 8 more detailed FAQs can be included to hit niche search queries.




Why Boston Notary Service Is Your Best Choice

Experience: Decades in the apostille business.

Coverage: Serving Boston, Fall River, Springfield, and all of Massachusetts.

Institutional Trust: Universities, law firms, and hospitals rely on us.

Speed & Accuracy: We prevent costly mistakes that cause delays.

Full-Service: From notarization to apostille to embassy legalization.



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Contact Us Today

📍 Boston Notary Service
📧 info@bostonnotaryserv ice.us
📞 617.230.6676
🌐 Order Apostille Services Here

We’re ready to handle your apostille from start to finish — whether you’re in Boston, Fall River, Springfield, or anywhere in Massachusetts.