Massachusetts
Apostille Service
Every Massachusetts document authenticated for international use — personal records, academic credentials, business filings, and federal documents. Agent Nour Samir coordinates the complete process from notarization through Secretary of Commonwealth submission.
Apostille Quick Reference
MA Secretary of Commonwealth
Payable to “Commonwealth of Massachusetts”
Your Massachusetts Document,
Recognized Internationally
An apostille is a certificate issued exclusively by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. It authenticates three things: the signature on the document, the authority of the person who signed it, and any official stamp or seal. Foreign governments and institutions then accept the document as genuine without further legalization.
The apostille process exists under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 — an international treaty signed by more than 120 countries. If your destination country is a Hague member, an apostille is sufficient. If it is not, a certification is required, often followed by U.S. Department of State authentication and embassy legalization.
Content reviewed by James Lumas, Lead Editor. Not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the receiving institution.
Only documents issued in Massachusetts can be apostilled by the MA Secretary. Documents issued in another state go to that state. Federal documents (FBI check, federal court records) go to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Government documents (birth certificates, court records, corporate filings) — no prior notarization. The Secretary authenticates the official’s signature directly. Private documents (affidavits, powers of attorney, school transcripts) — must be notarized by a Massachusetts notary first. We provide that step.
5 Steps — Document to International Authentication
Identify Your Country
Confirm Hague membership at hcch.net — determines apostille vs. certification path.
Prepare Document
Get original or certified copy. Private documents need notarization first — we handle it.
Nour Reviews
We check signature, notarial certificate, and Secretary acceptance requirements.
Submit to Secretary
In-person for same-day. By mail for standard timeline with prepaid return envelope.
Apostille Returned
Secretary attaches the apostille. Your document is ready for 120+ Hague countries.
What We Apostille in Massachusetts
Every document category accepted by the MA Secretary of Commonwealth for apostille or certification.
Personal & Vital Records
Government-issued — no prior notarization required. Must be certified copies from the issuing authority.
Academic & Educational
Must be certified by the registrar and notarized before apostille submission.
Legal & Estate Documents
Private legal documents must be notarized by a MA notary before apostille submission.
Business & Corporate
MA Secretary of State corporate documents — apostille issued by the same Commonwealth office.
Federal Documents
Federal documents cannot be apostilled by Massachusetts — they require the U.S. Department of State.
Non-Hague Certification
Countries not in the Hague Convention require additional steps beyond the MA apostille process.
Apostille vs. Certification — Which Do You Need?
Apostille
Hague Convention Countries · 120+ Members
Certification
Non-Hague Countries · Multi-Step Process
Official list of Hague Convention member countries at hcch.net. Always verify before submitting. Call us if unsure: (978) 424-4629.
Three Offices for Same-Day Apostille
Walk in with your documents and $6 per document in check or money order. Up to 4 documents same-day while you wait.
Boston — Main Office
One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
Springfield
436 Dwight Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Fall River
218 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02721
Payment: Check or money order only — payable to “Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” Note country of destination on check. Credit cards and cash not accepted. · Mail address: Secretary of Commonwealth, Commissions Section, Room 1719, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108. Include prepaid return envelope.
What the Secretary Checks
Before Accepting Your Documents
The Secretary will reject documents that do not meet specific requirements. Nour reviews every document before submission to prevent rejection and delays.
Nour Samir coordinates all apostille and certification requests for HireMobileNotary.com. She reviews every document before Secretary submission — checking that the notarial certificate is complete, the notary’s name matches their commission, and all requirements are met to prevent rejection.
For non-Hague certifications requiring U.S. Department of State authentication and embassy legalization, Nour manages the complete chain. You submit once — she handles the process through to final delivery.
Call (978) 424-4629 or contact us. Include document type, destination country, and your timeline. Reviewed by James Lumas, Lead Editor.
Frequently Asked About
MA Apostille Service
Specific document type or country not covered here? Call us before you start.
(978) 424-4629Editorial Accuracy
State fee and offices verified against sec.state.ma.us. Reviewed by James Lumas, Lead Editor.
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What is an apostille and when do I need one?−
An apostille is a certificate from the Massachusetts Secretary of Commonwealth that authenticates a document for international use in Hague Convention countries. It verifies the signature, the authority of the signer, and any official seal. You need one when a foreign government or institution requires authentication of a Massachusetts document — for immigration, marriage abroad, dual citizenship, overseas education, or international business.
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Does a birth certificate need notarization before apostille?+
No. A Massachusetts birth certificate from the Registry of Vital Records or a city/town registrar is a government document — the Secretary authenticates the registrar’s signature directly without prior notarization. However, private documents such as affidavits, powers of attorney, and school transcripts must be notarized by a Massachusetts notary first. We provide that notarization step before submitting to the Secretary.
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How long does a Massachusetts apostille take?+
In-person walk-in at any Secretary office: same-day for up to four documents — you receive the apostille while you wait. By mail: approximately 10 business days from receipt of your documents, plus shipping in both directions. For tight deadlines, in-person at the Boston office (One Ashburton Place, Room 1719) is always the fastest and most reliable option.
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Can you handle FBI background check apostilles?+
Yes, but the process is different. An FBI background check is a federal document — it must be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., not Massachusetts. Nour Samir coordinates federal apostille submissions as part of our service. Contact us with your destination country and timeline for the full process and cost breakdown.
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My country is not in the Hague Convention — what do I need?+
For non-Hague countries, the process has three steps: MA Secretary of Commonwealth issues a certification (same $6 fee, same offices), then the U.S. Department of State authenticates the certification, then the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Washington, D.C. legalizes the document. The total timeline and cost depend on the country and embassy. Nour Samir manages this entire chain — Start with our online apostille application form.
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What if my document was issued in another state?+
Massachusetts can only apostille documents issued in Massachusetts. If your document was issued in another state, it must be apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State. We can guide you through the correct process for your specific state. Call us and we will help you identify the right path and connect you with the appropriate resources.
Your Documents.
Authenticated for the World.
Nour Samir handles your complete apostille — document review, notarization if needed, Secretary submission, and return. Same-day in-person available at all three MA offices. Contact us with your document type, destination country, and deadline.
Start Your Apostille Request
Nour Samir responds within 1 business day
Tell us: document type, destination country, and your deadline. We will confirm whether notarization is needed first, the total cost, and the fastest route to completion.
State fee ($6/doc), office addresses, and processing times sourced from sec.state.ma.us/divisions/commissions/apostilles.htm and the Secretary of Commonwealth’s official apostille information PDF (April 2026). Reviewed by James Lumas, Lead Editor. HireMobileNotary.com is not a law firm. Country requirements change — always confirm with the receiving institution. Hague membership list at hcch.net. Last updated April 26, 2026.