When it comes to authenticating documents for international use, experience and precision matter. At Boston Notary Service, we are Massachusetts’s trusted authority in apostille and authentication services. With decades of proven expertise and deep connections within Boston and across Massachusetts, we handle every step of the process for individuals, universities, corporations, and law firms who need their documents recognized abroad.

Unlike new notaries or agencies that outsource the work, we personally handle apostille submissions at the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office in Boston and other state offices. We ensure that your documents are not only processed quickly but also prepared correctly to avoid costly delays or rejections.

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is an internationally recognized certificate attached to your document, verifying its authenticity for use in any country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. Without it, your notarized or state-issued documents may not be accepted overseas.

If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, your documents require a different process: authentication by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth and legalization by the foreign embassy or consulate. This is where our expertise ensures you don’t get stuck in endless red tape.

Why Choose Boston Notary Service for Apostille Authentication?

Decades of Experience – We’ve been assisting clients across Massachusetts long before most apostille services even existed.

University Specialists – We are the go-to apostille provider for students and graduates from Harvard, MIT, Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern, UMass, Suffolk, Lesley, and every major institution in the state.

Comprehensive Solutions – Whether you need an apostille for a birth certificate, marriage certificate, FBI background check, diploma, transcript, or corporate filing, we have the knowledge and direct access to handle it.

Local Expertise with Global Reach – Based in Boston’s historic Back Bay and South End, we serve the entire Commonwealth while coordinating authentications worldwide.

Personalized Service – Every document is unique, and we walk you through the exact steps to avoid errors that can cost time and money.


When it comes to international documentation, you need more than just a notary—you need an expert who understands the global legal landscape.

Massachusetts Apostille Process

1. Document Review – We examine your paperwork to ensure it qualifies for apostille or authentication.


2. Notarization (if required) – Our notaries properly notarize your document in compliance with Massachusetts law.


3. State Authentication – We submit the document to the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Boston or other state offices.


4. Apostille or Authentication Issued – The certificate is attached to your document for international recognition.


5. Embassy or Consulate Legalization (Non-Hague Countries) – For non-Hague countries, we coordinate the embassy/consulate process on your behalf.



We also assist with retrieving Massachusetts vital records in person, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, to expedite your apostille request.

Apostille Services for Massachusetts Universities

Boston is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, and international students and graduates regularly need their documents authenticated for global opportunities.

We have decades of experience helping students apostille:

Diplomas

Transcripts

Certificates of enrollment or attendance

Degree verifications


Whether you are studying at Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, or Boston College, we simplify the apostille process so your academic achievements are recognized worldwide.

Business and Corporate Apostille Services

Businesses in Massachusetts expanding into global markets often need to apostille or authenticate:

Articles of Incorporation

Corporate resolutions

Power of Attorney documents

Trademark registrations

Contracts and agreements


Our long-standing reputation means corporations trust us for fast, reliable, and confidential processing.

FBI Background Check Apostille in Washington, DC

In addition to Massachusetts state apostilles, Boston Notary Service facilitates FBI background check apostille services directly through Washington, DC. Clients simply upload their FBI background certificate PDF, provide their information, and we handle the authentication with the U.S. Department of State.

This is critical for individuals seeking employment, residency, or visas abroad.

Hague Convention vs. Non-Hague Countries

One of the most confusing parts of the apostille process is knowing whether your destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Hague Countries – Only require an apostille from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Non-Hague Countries – Require both authentication and embassy/consulate legalization.


Our team ensures you don’t waste weeks of time only to find out you submitted the wrong process.

Local Service with a Boston Touch

We’re proud to serve clients across Massachusetts, but our roots are here in Boston’s Back Bay and South End. From the Boston Public Library to Copley Square, we’ve been part of the community for decades. We understand the fast pace of the city and the urgency of our clients’ needs.

Our offices serve residents, students, law firms, and businesses throughout Greater Boston, including Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Quincy, Somerville, and the Seaport District waterfront.

Why Experience Matters

Submitting documents for apostille may seem simple, but small mistakes can cause major setbacks. For example:

Submitting a notarized document that wasn’t notarized correctly.

Providing a vital record that isn’t a certified copy.

Requesting an apostille for a country that actually requires embassy legalization.


At Boston Notary Service, we prevent these errors before they happen. That’s why clients return to us year after year and why universities and businesses continue to refer their international students, graduates, and employees to our office.



If you need a Massachusetts apostille or authentication, don’t risk delays with inexperienced providers. Trust the authority in the industry—Boston Notary Service.

📍 Serving all of Massachusetts with offices rooted in Boston’s Back Bay and South End
📧 [email protected]
📞 617-230-6676 speed, accuracy, and unmatched expertise.