Guides
Apostille guides for Massachusetts and beyond.
Everything we have written about Massachusetts apostilles, federal documents and the countries they go to, in one place. Each guide answers one question properly, written by the agent who files these documents every week.
Start here
The basics, in the order most people need them.
How to get an apostille in Massachusetts
Step by step: which copy you need, notarization, the state form and the $6 fee, with or without us.
Read →What is an apostille?
A plain-English explainer of what the certificate does, who issues it and when you need one.
Read →Apostille FAQ
Short answers to the questions we hear every week, grouped by topic.
Read →Timing, offices and rejections
What to expect from the state office, and how to avoid losing weeks.
Apostille processing time in Massachusetts
How long each route really takes: by mail, at the counter, standard and same day.
Read →Boston apostille office address
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719: hours, counter rules and what to bring.
Read →Why apostilles get rejected
The wrong certified copy, a missing notarization and the other mistakes that send documents back.
Read →Countries
The destination country decides whether you need an apostille or embassy legalization.
Apostille deadline planner
Enter the date you need it. See which speed and shipping get it to you on time, with dates and prices.
Read →Is my document ready?
A few quick questions: ready for an apostille, needs a notary, or needs a certified copy.
Read →Apostille country checker
Type a country and see instantly whether it takes an apostille or needs embassy legalization.
Read →Hague apostille country list
Every country that accepts an apostille, checked against the HCCH status table.
Read →Non-Hague countries list
Countries that need authentication and embassy legalization instead.
Read →Apostille by country
Country notes for Italy, Portugal, Spain, India, Brazil and other common destinations.
Read →Services by document
What each document needs before it can be apostilled, and what we charge.
Massachusetts apostille service
Any Massachusetts document filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, from $99 per document, state fee included.
Read →Same-day apostille
Ready by 5 PM for $249 when your documents are in our hands by 11 AM ET.
Read →FBI background check apostille
Federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State, from $185, by mail from any state.
Read →Birth, marriage and death certificates
Which certified copy to order from the town clerk or the Registry of Vital Records.
Read →Diplomas and transcripts
How school records get a signature Massachusetts can certify.
Read →Notarized and business documents
Powers of attorney, affidavits, court records and company documents.
Read →Embassy legalization
Certification plus consulate legalization for the UAE, Qatar, Egypt and other non-Hague countries.
Read →Certified translation
When the receiving country wants a translation, and how it fits with the apostille.
Read →Apostille in Boston
Boston, Cambridge and nearby: filing at the State House area office without the trip.
Read →Pricing and help
Prices, where we work and how to reach us.
FAQ
Where to start
I have never needed an apostille. Where do I start?
Start with what an apostille is, then check whether your destination is on the Hague apostille country list. If it is, follow how to get an apostille in Massachusetts. If it is not, read embassy legalization.
Which guide covers my document?
Use the “Services by document” section above: vital records, diplomas and transcripts, notarized and business documents, and FBI background checks each have their own page explaining what the document needs before it can be apostilled.
How current are these guides?
We update them when Massachusetts or the U.S. Department of State changes a rule, and when a country joins the Hague Apostille Convention. Country lists are checked against the HCCH status table and dated, for example “as of November 2026”.
Can you just do it for me?
Yes. Our Massachusetts apostille service is $99 per document standard and $249 same day, state fee included, and FBI apostilles are from $185. Start your order or see full pricing.
Start your apostille order online.
Answer a few questions about your document and where it is going. You see the full price before you place the order, and you get mailing instructions right away.
Not sure what your document needs?
Email or text a photo and we will tell you before you order.