How to Choose the Right Massachusetts Apostille Service
The right Massachusetts apostille service confirms your destination country first, checks your document before filing, submits it correctly to the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Boston, and gives you a clear price and timeline up front.
You can also file yourself for a state fee of $6 per document, but a local specialist can save you from the rejections and delays that cost the most time.
Whether your document is going overseas for school, work, marriage, adoption, immigration, banking, or a business filing, one small mistake can send it back. This guide explains how Massachusetts apostilles work, when to hire help, and how to choose a provider you can trust.
By Boston Notary Service | Last updated October 2026
What Is an Apostille in Massachusetts?
An apostille is a certificate that verifies the signature, the signer's capacity, and the seal on a public document so other countries accept it. It works for countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention.
In Massachusetts, apostilles are issued only by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. A notary cannot issue one, and neither can a private company. A service can only prepare, submit, and return your document.
If the destination country is not in the Hague Convention, you need authentication and usually embassy or consulate legalization instead. Confirm this before you do anything else.
Which Documents Can Be Apostilled in Massachusetts?
Notarized documents: powers of attorney, affidavits, and letters
Vital records: birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies)
School records: diplomas and transcripts, certified through the school first
Business documents: certificates of good standing and corporate records
Federal documents are different. FBI background checks and other federal records are not handled by Massachusetts. They are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, and sending one to the wrong office is one of the most common reasons requests get rejected. See our FBI Background Check Apostille service for that process.
How the Massachusetts Apostille Process Works
Confirm the destination country and exactly what the receiving agency requires.
Get the right version of the document: an original, a certified copy, or a freshly notarized signature, depending on the type.
Submit it to the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Boston, by mail or in person, with the fee and the country name. The state fee has been $6 per document, and mailed requests have typically taken two to three weeks plus shipping. Check the official apostille page for current fees and timing.
Receive the apostille attached to your original document, and send it abroad. Do not remove the attachment.
Need it faster? Read our guide on how to get an apostille in Boston fast.
File Yourself or Hire an Apostille Service?
Filing it yourself works best when:
You have one simple, correctly notarized document
You live near Boston and have time to spare
The only cost you want to pay is the $6 state fee plus postage
Hiring a local service makes sense when:
The request is time-sensitive
The document came from a school, clerk, or court and needs certification first
You also need notarization, or you have several documents
You are outside Massachusetts, or you cannot afford a rejection
The state fee is only one part of the cost. The bigger cost is a document that comes back unaccepted, especially when the original is hard to replace, like a diploma or birth certificate.
7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Apostille Service
Do you check my document before submitting it? A good provider catches expired notary commissions, missing signatures, and wrong document types before they cost you weeks.
Is the state fee separate from your service fee? Pricing should be itemized.
Can you handle the notarization too? One provider that notarizes and files saves a handoff and a delay.
Do you handle federal documents? FBI checks and other federal records need U.S. Department of State authentication.
What is a realistic turnaround, and what is out of your control? The state sets its own processing time. Be wary of anyone who guarantees a date they cannot control.
Will I deal with the same person throughout? Diplomas and birth certificates are hard to replace, so you should know who is handling yours.
Can you communicate in my language? Clear guidance matters most when the paperwork is for family, immigration, or study abroad.
Red Flags to Avoid
Anyone claiming a notary or private company can issue an apostille themselves
No clear price breakdown, or fees that appear only after you hand over your document
A promised delivery date that depends on a government office
No phone number, no named contact, and no real local presence
How Boston Notary Service Helps
Boston Notary Service is a family-owned team offering mobile notary services across Greater Boston and Massachusetts apostille assistance. Our founding team handles your documents personally, with bilingual support, same-day service, and 24/7 digital intake for urgent requests.
We help with:
Apostille authentication for vital records and legal documents
College and university apostilles for diplomas and transcripts
Powers of attorney, business and corporate documents
FBI background check apostilles and U.S. Department of State apostilles
What Our Clients Say
256 five-star Google reviews and a 5.0 rating on Yelp. Here is what some of our apostille clients wrote on Google:
"I had a fantastic experience working with Geovanne to get my diploma notarised with an apostille under time constraint. I needed the document quickly for my employer/visa purposes, and Geovanne was extremely responsive and helpful, and he expedited the process."
Chelsea S., diploma apostille
"I didn't even have to go to the office. Only by email. My order took just two days to process after I placed it and made the payment, and it's already on its way to me via FedEx."
De S., remote apostille by email
"Excellent service! I needed an apostille as part of a citizenship application, and Boston Notary answered my inquiry emails quickly and completely. I uploaded the document to their site, and I received the authenticated document via fedex within a few days. Very fast and easy!"
Miranda M., citizenship application
Review counts as of October 2026.
Where We Serve
Boston Notary Service provides mobile notary service in Boston and throughout Greater Boston, meaning the cities and towns inside or along the I-95 / Route 128 beltway. That includes Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, Waltham, Lexington, Burlington, Woburn, Medford, Malden, Everett, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, Melrose, Lynn, Quincy, Braintree, Milton, Dedham, Needham, Wellesley, and Canton. We also travel to Danvers and the North Shore by appointment.
Out of state or abroad? We handle Massachusetts apostilles for clients anywhere in the U.S. and overseas. Send your documents through our 24/7 digital intake, and we will prepare them, file them with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and ship them back to you.
Ready to start? Place an apostille order, browse our services, or call (617) 230-6676. You can also email info@bostonnotaryservice.us.
Massachusetts Apostille FAQ
How much does a Massachusetts apostille cost?
The Secretary of the Commonwealth has charged $6 per document. Professional services add their own fee for preparation, notarization, filing, and return shipping.
How long does a Massachusetts apostille take?
Mailed requests to the state have typically taken two to three weeks plus shipping. In-person filing in Boston is faster. Confirm current timing on the official state page.
Can a notary issue an apostille?
No. A notary can notarize your signature, but only the Secretary of the Commonwealth can issue the apostille for a Massachusetts document.
Can I apostille a document from another state in Massachusetts?
No. The apostille must come from the state that issued or notarized the document.
Does an FBI background check get apostilled in Massachusetts?
No. FBI background checks are federal documents authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC.
Do I need an apostille or an embassy legalization?
If the destination country is in the Hague Apostille Convention, you need an apostille. If not, you need authentication and usually embassy or consulate legalization.
More questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact us.
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