Massachusetts documents are apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section in Boston. If your document was issued in Massachusetts, or notarized by a notary commissioned in Massachusetts, that is the only office that can certify it, wherever you live now.
Massachusetts apostilles come from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section, at One Ashburton Place in Boston, for $6 a document. Universities send a great deal through here, so diplomas and transcripts are a large share of Massachusetts work.
We handle Massachusetts orders by mail from anywhere in the country, and a mobile notary can come to you anywhere in Massachusetts when a document needs signing first. The state fee is already inside our price, along with the submission and return shipping.
At a glance
Massachusetts documents we apostille most often
| Document | Where it comes from | Notarization |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | The city or town clerk, or the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics | Not required, certified copy |
| Marriage certificate | The city or town clerk where the intention was filed | Not required, certified copy |
| Death certificate | The city or town clerk, or the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics | Not required, certified copy |
| Divorce decree | Clerk of the court that granted it | Not required, needs court seal |
| Power of attorney, affidavit | You | Required, Massachusetts notary |
| Diploma or transcript | Your school | Usually required |
| Company documents | Secretary of the Commonwealth | Certified copies, or notarized if company-issued |
| FBI check, IRS, USCIS | Federal agency | Federal, goes to the U.S. Dept. of State |
Not sure which you have? Send it through the free review and we will tell you before you pay. No usable copy? We can order a certified copy.
Massachusetts-specific things worth knowing
- “Commonwealth,” not “State.” The office is the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
- Vital records come from the city or town clerk, or the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
- University documents usually need a registrar’s notarized statement. See diploma and transcript apostille.
- The notary must be commissioned in Massachusetts. A document notarized across a state line goes to that state instead.
- Federal documents never go to Secretary of the Commonwealth. An FBI background check, IRS letter or naturalization certificate is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. See federal apostille.
How it works
Step 1
Send us the document
Post the original in, book a mobile notary who comes to you anywhere in Massachusetts, or have us retrieve a certified copy.
Step 2
We check it first
We confirm the copy is certified, correctly sealed, and notarized where needed, before any state fee is paid.
Step 3
Apostille from Secretary of the Commonwealth
We submit to Boston and pay the $6 state fee, which is already included in your price.
Step 4
Back to you
Shipped tracked and insured, or scanned and emailed as soon as it is issued.
Massachusetts Apostille: common questions
Who issues apostilles in Massachusetts?
The Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section, in Boston. Documents issued in Massachusetts, or notarized by a Massachusetts notary, go there.
How much does a Massachusetts apostille cost?
The state charges $6. Our price starts at $99 per document and already includes that fee, so there is nothing extra to pay the state. See pricing.
Does Massachusetts need a county certification first?
No. Massachusetts certifies its notaries and officials directly, so a correct document goes straight to the state.
My document is federal. Can Massachusetts apostille it?
No. An FBI background check, IRS letter, USCIS document or federal court record carries a federal signature, so it goes to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., whichever state you live in. See federal apostille.
I live outside Massachusetts. Can I still get a Massachusetts apostille?
Yes. The state that issued the document decides the office, not where you live. Post it to us from anywhere and we submit it in Boston.
How long does a Massachusetts apostille take?
It depends on the state’s current queue plus shipping. See processing times for what we are seeing now, and ask about rush if you have a deadline.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and processing times are set by the authorities below and can change without notice. Verify anything time-critical directly with them.
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section, apostilles · CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records
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Related: Apostille by state · New York apostille · Connecticut apostille · Rhode Island apostille · Federal apostille