Apostille Service for Boston University Students: Transcripts, Diplomas and FBI Reports

Why BU students and alumni need apostilles

Boston University graduates work, study and live across the world. Spain for graduate school. Brazil for residency. The United Arab Emirates for a finance role. Germany for a research post. Wherever you go, your BU credentials need official authentication before a foreign government will accept them. That authentication is an apostille.

An apostille is a certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. It authenticates the signature on a public document and makes the document recognizable in any of the 125+ countries that are party to the convention. For BU students and alumni, the most common apostilled documents are transcripts, diplomas and FBI background checks. Apostille processing in Massachusetts runs through the Secretary of the Commonwealth at One Ashburton Place in Boston.

Hire Mobile Notary picks up BU documents on campus, delivers them to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, collects the apostilled originals and ships them anywhere in the world. We have run this process since 2007 and have shipped apostilles to over 100 countries. Phone 978-424-4629 to start.

BU documents we apostille

• BU transcripts (sealed and signed by the BU Registrar)
• BU diplomas (original or notarized copies)
• BU degree verification letters
• BU enrollment verification letters
• PhD dissertation completion letters
• Letters of academic standing
• FBI Identity History Summary (FBI background check)
• Birth and marriage certificates from any US state
• Single status affidavits for marriage abroad
• Power of attorney for property or family matters abroad
• Adoption decrees and family court orders
• Vaccination and medical records (with notarized provider signature)

How the BU apostille process works

1. You confirm which documents you need apostilled and which country requires them. We help if you are unsure.
2. You request a paper original from the BU Registrar. Digital transcripts and emailed diplomas cannot be apostilled. The Registrar typically processes paper requests in 3 to 5 business days.
3. We pick up the documents at the BU Registrar, your dorm, your Allston apartment or anywhere else convenient on or near campus. Standard pickup window is 2 hours.
4. We hand-deliver the documents to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth at One Ashburton Place in Boston.
5. The Secretary issues the apostille certificate in 3 to 7 business days for state documents. Federal documents (FBI reports, IRS documents) require processing through the US Department of State and take 4 to 6 weeks.
6. We collect the apostilled documents, prepare them for international shipping and send them via FedEx International to your destination with tracking.

BU apostille turnaround times

• State apostille (BU transcripts, diplomas, MA birth and marriage certificates): 3 to 7 business days
• Federal apostille (FBI background checks, IRS documents): 4 to 6 weeks via US Department of State
• Expedited federal apostille (in-person processing in DC): 2 to 3 weeks for an additional fee
• Campus pickup at BU: within 24 hours of your call
• Worldwide FedEx shipping: 1 to 5 business days depending on destination

Common countries for BU apostilles

Hague Convention countries (single apostille is enough)

Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Greece, Cyprus, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Japan, South Korea, India (since 2024 fully implemented), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey and 90+ more.

Non-Hague countries (authentication plus embassy legalization)

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Algeria, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and others require an authentication from the Secretary of State plus legalization at the destination country's embassy or consulate. We handle the authentication step and provide embassy contacts for the legalization.

Pricing for BU student apostilles

• State apostille per document (includes pickup, notarization if needed, courier and certification): $99
• Federal apostille per document (FBI report, IRS document): $295
• Expedited federal apostille (in-person DC processing): $495
• Campus pickup at BU: included
• International FedEx shipping: $35 to $85 depending on destination
• USCIS-certified translation per page: $35
• Bundle: state apostille plus FedEx shipping plus tracking: $159
• Bundle: federal apostille plus state apostille plus FedEx: $389

Real BU apostille scenarios

Scenario 1: BU graduate moving to Madrid for masters program

A May 2026 BU graduate accepted admission to a masters program at IE Business School in Madrid. Spain (Hague Convention) required apostilled BU transcript and apostilled diploma. We picked up the documents at the BU Registrar, processed both through the Secretary of the Commonwealth in 5 business days and shipped to Madrid via FedEx International. Total cost: $283 ($99 transcript apostille plus $99 diploma apostille plus $85 international shipping).

Scenario 2: BU PhD candidate marrying in Mexico

A BU doctoral student marrying her partner in Cancun needed an apostilled FBI background check, an apostilled affidavit of single status (notarized by us) and an apostilled birth certificate from her home state of Oregon. We coordinated the FBI report through the US Department of State (5 weeks), notarized and apostilled the affidavit in Massachusetts (5 business days), and ordered and apostilled the Oregon birth certificate. Total bundle: $548 plus shipping.

Scenario 3: BU MBA graduate working in the UAE

A 2024 BU MBA graduate accepted a finance role at a Dubai investment firm. UAE (non-Hague) required authentication plus embassy legalization on his BU transcript and diploma. We processed authentication through the Secretary of the Commonwealth, then walked the UAE Embassy in Washington DC through legalization. Total turnaround: 6 weeks. Total cost: $647.

Frequently asked questions

Do you pick up at BU campus?

Yes. We pick up at the BU Registrar office at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, your dorm at Warren Towers, Myles Standish or any BU residence, your apartment in Allston, Fenway or Brookline. Pickup window is typically 2 hours from confirmation.

My country is not in the Hague Convention. What do I do?

You need an authentication followed by consular legalization. We handle the authentication step at the Secretary of the Commonwealth or US Department of State. The receiving country embassy or consulate then completes legalization. We provide the embassy contact and can walk your documents through DC embassies for an additional fee.

Can you apostille a digital transcript or PDF diploma?

No. Massachusetts and federal apostille processes require paper originals with wet signatures and seals. Digital documents must be printed and certified by the issuing authority before apostille. Request a paper transcript or diploma from the BU Registrar first.

How long is an apostille valid?

The apostille certificate itself does not expire. Some receiving countries require documents to be issued within the last 3, 6 or 12 months. Check with your destination country embassy or your visa attorney.

What is the difference between state and federal apostille?

State apostille is issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth for documents issued by Massachusetts (transcripts, diplomas, MA birth certificates, MA notarized affidavits). Federal apostille is issued by the US Department of State for documents issued by federal agencies (FBI reports, IRS documents, USCIS documents).

Can you handle BU summer-program transcripts?

Yes. BU summer-program participants from other universities get a BU-issued transcript from the BU Registrar. We apostille that transcript exactly like a degree transcript.

My BU diploma is from 2010. Can it still be apostilled?

Yes. BU diplomas do not expire and can be apostilled at any time after issue. If you do not have the original, request a replacement or certified copy from the BU Registrar.

Do I need a translation along with the apostille?

Most countries require a certified translation of the document into the local language. We provide USCIS-accepted translations in over 30 languages. The translation is typically apostilled along with the original.

How the Hague Apostille Convention works

The Hague Apostille Convention is a multilateral treaty that simplifies the authentication of public documents for use abroad. Before the convention, countries used a chain of authentications (state authentication, federal authentication, embassy legalization). The convention replaced that chain with a single apostille certificate that authenticates the signature on the document.

The convention has 125+ member countries as of 2026. Each member country designates a competent authority that issues apostilles for its own documents. For US state documents, the competent authority is the Secretary of State of each state. For US federal documents, the competent authority is the US Department of State Office of Authentications.

For BU students, the practical implication is that any BU document (transcript, diploma, registrar letter) gets its apostille from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Any federal document (FBI background check, IRS document) gets its apostille from the US Department of State.

How to prepare your BU documents for apostille

Apostilles work on certified paper originals. Digital transcripts emailed by the BU Registrar do not qualify. Request a paper transcript through the BU Registrar Self-Service or in person at 881 Commonwealth Avenue. The Registrar prints, signs and seals the transcript. That sealed document is what we apostille.

For diplomas, the original BU diploma issued at graduation works. If you have lost or damaged your original, request a replacement or certified copy from the BU Registrar. Replacements typically take 2 to 4 weeks.

For FBI background checks, request through an FBI-approved channeler. Channelers process the request faster than the FBI direct (3 to 5 days versus 4 to 6 weeks). The channeler returns a paper report that we forward to the US Department of State for apostille.

For state-issued documents (your home-state birth certificate, marriage certificate), order a certified copy from the issuing state. We can order on your behalf for an additional fee.

When do you need a translation along with the apostille?

Most non-English-speaking countries require a certified translation of apostilled documents. The translation must be performed by a certified translator and attached to the original document. Some countries require the translation itself to be apostilled (a "double apostille" scenario).

Common BU student destinations and translation requirements: Spain requires sworn translator (Traductor Jurado), often available in-country. Italy requires certified translation, can be done in the US or in Italy. France accepts US certified translations. Germany generally accepts US certified translations from a court-recognized translator. Brazil and Mexico accept US certified translations.

We provide USCIS-accepted certified translations in over 30 languages at $35 per page. We can also apostille the translation if your destination requires it.

Tracking your BU apostille from pickup to delivery

We track every apostille from pickup to final delivery. After pickup, we provide a confirmation email with photos of the documents (if you consent), the projected processing window and the FedEx tracking number for the destination shipment.

During Secretary of the Commonwealth processing, we check the status every 2 to 3 business days. If the Secretary requests additional information (rare), we contact you within the hour. When the apostille is issued, we collect the documents the same day.

For international shipments, FedEx International Priority delivers in 1 to 5 business days depending on destination. We provide tracking from pickup at our office to delivery at your address abroad. For destinations with complex customs (Brazil, Argentina, certain African countries), we coordinate with FedEx customs brokers to minimize delays.

International mailing best practices for BU apostilles

Shipping apostilled documents internationally requires care. The apostille certificate is the proof of authentication. If the document is lost in shipping, the receiver may not accept a replacement or may require the entire apostille process to repeat. We use FedEx International Priority for all international shipments because of the tracking and insurance.

For destination countries with strict customs (Brazil, Argentina, certain African countries), we declare the contents as "Personal Documents – Authenticated Certificates" and include a copy of the FedEx commercial invoice. We coordinate with FedEx customs brokers when needed to minimize delays.

For destinations requiring physical hand-delivery (some embassy submissions, certain academic institutions), we can ship to a local FedEx office in the destination city for pickup. This avoids any risk of misdelivery to apartment buildings, dormitories or shared mailboxes.

Pricing for international shipping varies by destination. Europe and North America typically run $35 to $65 for FedEx International Priority. Asia, South America and Africa run $65 to $125. Insurance up to $1,000 is included automatically. Higher insurance limits are available for $5 per additional $100 of declared value.

Multi-document apostille packages for BU students

Many BU students need multiple apostilled documents at once. Bundle pricing applies to multi-document orders and can save 10 to 15 percent compared to per-document pricing.

Common BU bundles include: graduation bundle (apostilled transcript plus apostilled diploma plus FedEx shipping) at $249 (versus $283 per-document). Marriage abroad bundle (apostilled single status affidavit plus apostilled birth certificate plus apostilled FBI report plus FedEx) at $549 (versus $678 per-document). Job-search bundle (apostilled diploma plus apostilled transcript plus apostilled letter of good standing plus FedEx) at $349.

For students juggling multiple destinations (one for graduate school, one for a parallel work permit application), we can process documents in parallel through the Secretary of the Commonwealth and ship to multiple destinations simultaneously.

Tracking your BU apostille order in our client portal

Every BU apostille order has a unique order number with real-time status tracking in our client portal. Email and text updates fire at every milestone: pickup confirmation, Secretary of the Commonwealth submission, apostille issuance, FedEx shipment label creation, FedEx pickup and delivery confirmation.

For multi-document orders at different processing stages, the portal shows each document individually. If you ordered a transcript apostille (5 business days) and an FBI apostille (5 weeks), you can see both timelines and plan your visa submission accordingly.

For international shipments, the portal links directly to FedEx tracking. You can see the shipment route, customs clearance status and estimated delivery time. For high-priority destinations, you can also share the tracking link with your destination contact (academic admissions office, visa attorney, family member) to keep them informed.

Compliance disclosure

Start your BU apostille today

Call 978-424-4629 or submit the booking form. Same-day pickup across BU campus, Allston, Fenway, Kenmore Square, Brookline and surrounding neighborhoods. Trusted by BU students and alumni since 2007 with over 1,190 successful apostille deliveries.