Boston University Apostille Guide: BU Diplomas, Transcripts & Letters
Updated: 3 days ago
Your Boston University documents, prepared for the next step
For BU documents, begin with the Registrar’s notary-request instructions. School preparation and the Massachusetts apostille are separate stages—and delivery arrangements matter. Boston Notary Service can help review what you have and coordinate the agreed preparation, submission and return delivery.
Choose your starting point
What you have | What to confirm |
Original or replacement diploma | Whether the recipient requires a school-certified record or a particular notarized statement. |
Transcript or verification letter | Whether a sealed record, notarized version or direct school delivery is needed. |
Digital credential or scan | Whether it is accepted directly or a different paper record is required for certification. |
1. Get the recipient’s written checklist
Exact record and number of copies.
Destination country, receiving organization and purpose.
Required signature, certification and delivery format.
Any issue-date limit or translation requirement.
The date the finished packet must arrive.
2. Follow Boston University preparation instructions
BU’s published instructions limit its notarization service to documents produced by its Registrar and require a notary request form. The page currently says completed notarized documents are mailed, with no walk-in requests or pickup option. It also says CeCredentials cannot be notarized. Diploma requests have additional instructions, and transcripts must be ordered through Parchment. Confirm the current requirements directly with BU before ordering. The Registrar does not issue the apostille; eligible prepared documents move to state certification afterward.
Because BU currently describes a mail-only release process, do not book a campus pickup based on a generic service advertisement. We can discuss coordinated delivery to BNS, with your authorization and BU’s confirmation, followed by the agreed certification and return arrangements.
3. Separate school preparation from state certification
The school issues or prepares the academic record. Massachusetts issues an apostille or certification for an eligible original signature. A notary performs the appropriate notarial act; that does not verify grades or award academic recognition. An apostille authenticates the relevant signature, capacity or seal and does not guarantee acceptance by the recipient.
If the recipient asks for a registrar’s signature, a personal copy-attestation route may not satisfy it. Show us the written requirements before arranging another notarization. A stamp on a printout does not create an original registrar signature.
4. Agree on collection, processing and return
Tell us where your documents are now and whether school preparation is complete. We confirm the available service, quote and authorization requirements before arranging collection or asking you to send originals. Overseas alumni can start with the school, document type, destination and deadline.
Allow for separate school preparation, certification and shipping stages. An urgent request does not shorten a registrar’s production queue automatically. We review the actual arrival deadline and explain the available options before work begins.
Translation and destination requirements
Send the receiving office’s instructions and source/target languages if translation is needed. We confirm scope, availability, quote and sequence before translation work is ordered. Requirements can differ by receiving office and purpose, including whether the attached apostille must be translated or a translator’s certification needs separate authentication.
Questions to settle before sending originals
Can I use a digital diploma?
It may be accepted directly for some purposes, but that does not make a printed digital credential suitable for an apostille. Confirm the required format with the recipient and issuing school.
Can BNS arrange university pickup?
Only where the school permits it and the necessary release, appointment and authorization are confirmed. Tell us the issuing office and its current instructions before booking travel.
What does the quote cover?
We confirm the requested service and applicable preparation, travel, government and delivery costs. List multiple records separately, because a diploma and transcript may need separate certification.
Let’s plan your Boston University apostille request
Share the record you have, destination, recipient checklist and arrival deadline. We’ll confirm preparation, available service and quote before you send originals.
Preparation sources reviewed October 16, 2026. School procedures can change. Boston Notary Service is not affiliated with Boston University.
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