Frequently Asked Questions

An apostille authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country where the Hague Apostille Convention applies. It verifies the official signature, capacity and seal; it does not certify the document’s contents or guarantee acceptance for a particular purpose. The correct route depends on the issuing authority, destination country and recipient’s instructions. Common requests include certified vital records, court records, school documents, notarized affidavits and corporate records. A passport-copy request needs its own permitted certification process; the passport itself is not simply apostilled. Check current country participation and effective dates in the HCCH status table: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41. Start an Apostille Request and share your document, destination and deadline so we can review the route.

Turnaround depends on your specific deadline and document type — we offer everything from rush processing to standard timelines for non-urgent requests, including options for eligible same-day service. When you reach out or submit a request, we'll confirm the fastest realistic option for your situation, so you're never paying for more speed than you actually need.

Your receiving authority decides whether it needs an FBI Identity History Summary and an apostille or authentication. FBI reports follow the federal route through the U.S. Department of State, separate from Massachusetts-issued documents. As checked October 24, 2026, the Department of State lists processing within 7 business days for routine drop-off requests and within 5 weeks of receipt for mail requests. Add document preparation, transit and return delivery time. Routine same-day federal processing is not offered; approved life-or-death emergency appointments have separate eligibility requirements. We confirm the current route and estimate before you approve service. Official processing guidance: https://travel.state.gov/en/replace-certify/authenticate-documents/request-services.html

We currently offer traditional in-person notarization, including mobile appointments. Massachusetts has enacted remote online notarization legislation, but implementation requirements still matter. As checked October 24, 2026, Massachusetts’ official guidance says the required training and notification form are not yet available and notaries should not use remote online platforms at this time. We will confirm availability against the state’s current requirements before offering this service. Official guidance: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-notaries-public

Our apostille and document authentication services are available nationwide and internationally — documents can be mailed or submitted digitally regardless of where you're located, whether you're across the country or abroad. For mobile notary appointments, our notaries travel throughout Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Worcester, and Bristol Counties, including Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Somerville, Quincy, Waltham, Burlington, Woburn, Winchester, Lexington, Arlington, Watertown, and the rest of Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Our mobile notaries travel to hotels, airports, nursing homes, businesses, residences, universities, coffee shops, and more. We also handle nationwide FBI background check apostille and non-Hague embassy legalization, submitting directly to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on behalf of clients across the country and around the world.

Yes. Our team is fully bilingual, providing clear guidance in English and Spanish at every step — from your initial call through document review, notarization, and final delivery — so language is never a barrier to getting your documents handled correctly.

Yes — we offer print, scan, and shipping support for your notarized and apostilled documents, so you don't need to coordinate a separate print shop or shipping provider. We can print documents you send digitally, scan completed originals for your records, and securely ship your finished documents domestically or internationally.

Notary and apostille pricing varies based on document type, quantity, and turnaround time. Contact us or submit a service request for a custom quote tailored to your specific needs.

Yes. When the Hague Apostille Convention does not apply between the issuing and receiving countries, authentication and embassy or consulate legalization may be required. The steps depend on the document, issuing authority and destination’s instructions; an apostille and consular legalization are not automatically both needed. Share the destination country and the recipient’s written requirements. We review the certification route, submission requirements, fees and estimated timing before coordinating the agreed work. Country participation and effective dates can change; check the current HCCH status table at https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41.

Yes. We specialize in notarizing and apostilling transcripts, diplomas, and certificates of enrollment from Massachusetts universities and colleges — including Boston University, Northeastern University, Harvard University, MIT, Tufts University, Suffolk University, UMass, Boston College, Emerson College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and other schools throughout the state — for students who need them authenticated for use abroad. Most schools require a registrar-signed copy notarized before it can be apostilled, and we coordinate directly with school registrar offices to help you get the right certified copy before we notarize and apostille it. Documents can be mailed to us, dropped off, or submitted by students living out of state or overseas — we manage the full process from registrar coordination through notarization, apostille, and return shipping, so your transcript or diploma is accepted by foreign employers, universities, and government agencies.

You'll need a valid, state or federal government-issued photo-bearing ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or other qualifying photo ID. The name on your ID must match the name on the document being notarized. If you have questions about acceptable ID for your specific situation, contact us before your appointment.

Yes. We can help coordinate eligible requests for Massachusetts birth, marriage and death certificates, Negative Statements, certified corporate records and court documents. Eligibility, authorization, record availability and issuing-office requirements apply. A Negative Statement reports the result of an official records search. It is different from a single-status affidavit, which is a sworn statement. The receiving authority determines which evidence it accepts. Vital and court records generally require a certified copy from the appropriate issuing office. Other document types may allow a properly notarized copy or statement when legally permitted and accepted by the recipient. We review the document-specific route before arranging retrieval, any necessary notarization, apostille or authentication, and return delivery.