Boston Apostille Service for Massachusetts Documents

YOUR REQUEST, CLEARLY PLANNED

Your next chapter starts with the right documents.

Start with these details

• Document type and issuing authority
• Destination country and recipient instructions
• Document count and arrival deadline

Start Apostille Request · Call (617) 230-6676

Share the document details → Confirm the route and quote → Coordinate submission and return

Preparation & service details

Need a Massachusetts document prepared for use abroad? Boston Notary Service helps individuals, students, families and businesses identify the next step and coordinate apostille or authentication assistance for eligible documents. We review what you have, where it was issued, the destination and the recipient’s instructions, then confirm the available service, quote and next steps before work begins.

Start an apostille request

Start an apostille request

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated authority to authenticate a public document’s signature, the signer’s official capacity and any seal or stamp. It does not certify the document’s contents or guarantee that a recipient will accept it.

The destination country and recipient’s instructions determine whether the document needs an apostille, an authentication certificate or additional embassy or consular legalization. Share the country and any written instructions so we can review the requested route.

Documents we can review

• Massachusetts birth, marriage and death records
• Diplomas, transcripts and school-issued letters
• Court, business and corporate documents
• Powers of attorney, affidavits and other private documents

Each type has different preparation rules.

Vital records: An official certified copy may be required. A scan or ordinary photocopy does not replace it; notarizing a photocopy of a government record is not a substitute.

University documents: Ask the registrar what record, signature, certification or release authorization it requires. A registrar-signed document and an attested copy can follow different steps.

Private documents: A power of attorney, affidavit or other privately signed document may need a proper Massachusetts notarial act before the Secretary of the Commonwealth can review the notary’s signature. Follow the document provider’s instructions; do not sign early if the notary must witness the signature.

Court and business records: The issuing office, signer’s authority and document format matter. Share court, registry, attorney or recipient instructions before sending originals.

Not every document needs notarization. Ask us to review the document and instructions before arranging notarization or mailing an original.

How Boston apostille assistance works

1. Tell us what you have: document type, issuing state, school, court or agency, whether you have an original or certified copy, and where it is now.
2. Share the destination requirements: country, receiving organization, deadline and instructions about apostille, authentication, legalization or translation.
3. Get a confirmed plan and quote. Depending on the request and availability, the agreed scope may include preparation guidance, eligible record retrieval, notarization coordination, pickup, submission coordination and return delivery.
4. Approve the scope before work begins. Government charges, record costs, service work, travel and shipping are separate quote components.
5. Arrange return delivery: tell us the return address and whether you need domestic or international shipping.

Massachusetts, federal and out-of-state documents

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth handles eligible Massachusetts signatures and records. Massachusetts does not authenticate federal or out-of-state documents. An FBI background report or other federal record follows the applicable federal process; a document issued by another state generally needs review by that state’s authority. A mixed packet may require more than one route.

For NH-issued records, explore our New Hampshire Apostille Service for document review, submission coordination and return delivery.

Tell us about each item, even if the recipient wants everything returned together. See our FBI apostille service:

FBI Background Check Apostille in Boston, MA

Boston and Greater Boston

We are based in Boston and coordinate eligible local document, pickup and appointment requests in Boston and nearby communities, including Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Quincy, Medford, Arlington, Waltham, Watertown, Dedham, Malden, Everett, Revere and Chelsea. Travel and pickup availability are confirmed for each request. If you are elsewhere in Massachusetts, ask whether mail-in or another arrangement is available.

What to include for a useful quote

• Document type and quantity
• Issuing state, school, court, town or agency
• Destination country and recipient’s instructions
• Whether you have an original, certified copy or scan
• Current location and any retrieval or pickup request
• Required arrival date and return-shipping destination
• Translation or embassy instructions, if provided

A scan can help us identify the document, but we will confirm whether an original or certified record is needed and how to send it. Do not post sensitive identity or background-check records in a public message.

Common questions

Can I get a Boston apostille for a document issued in another state?

The issuing state generally controls its state-level route. A Massachusetts apostille is not a substitute for another state’s process.

Does every document need to be notarized?

No. Official records and private documents have different requirements. Ask before adding a notary act.

Is an apostille the same as embassy legalization?

No. These are different routes. Additional legalization may be required depending on the destination and document. Follow the recipient’s instructions.

How long does it take?

Timing depends on document readiness, government processing, service availability and shipping. We confirm available options and an estimate before work begins; an estimate is not a guaranteed completion or delivery date.

How much does the service cost?

The total depends on document count, preparation or retrieval, government route, agreed service and delivery. Government fees and shipping are separate from service work. Request a quote before authorizing the order.

Not sure what document you need?

Start with the recipient’s instructions and a short description. We can review what information is needed to identify the next step. The recipient decides what it will accept.

Request Boston apostille assistance

Use the order form and include document type, issuing authority, destination, quantity and deadline

Start an apostille request

Read the Boston Apostille Guide

Massachusetts Apostille Services In Boston Fast And Reliable Service For Your Documents

Official Massachusetts requirements and request form

Official Massachusetts apostille instructions

Call (617) 230-6676 or email Email Boston Notary Service. Boston Notary Service provides document preparation and coordination assistance, not legal advice. Certification does not guarantee acceptance by a recipient.

Hear from our clients

Read client feedback about Boston Notary Service before arranging your request. Read our Google reviews.