The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth – Commissions Section issues apostilles for eligible Massachusetts documents.

Documents must bear an original signature from an eligible Massachusetts official, such as a notary public, city or town clerk, court clerk, or registrar of vital records. Photocopied signatures cannot be certified.

Federal documents, including FBI background checks and IRS Form 6166, follow a separate process through the U.S. Department of State – Office of Authentications.

For an eligible Massachusetts document:

• VisaDC service fee: $115.00
• Massachusetts government fee: $6.00
• Total: $121.00 per document

Shipping, notarization, translation, and additional document preparation are charged separately when applicable.

A completed Authentication Request Form is required. Please identify the country where your document will be used.

Call 1-877-721-7678 for assistance.

Common documents include:

• Certified birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Certified divorce decrees and court orders
• Properly prepared diplomas and academic transcripts
• Powers of attorney and notarized affidavits
• Single-status statements
• Eligible corporate records and business documents
• Properly prepared state or local background checks
• Notarized translator certifications, when appropriate

Requirements depend on the document and destination country. Email a clear copy for review before mailing originals.

FBI background checks and other federal documents require the federal apostille process.

Documents such as powers of attorney and affidavits generally require proper notarization before submission.

Vital records and court records should be certified by the appropriate issuing office. A notarized photocopy is generally not a substitute for an official certified record.

For Massachusetts diplomas and transcripts, the state’s guidance calls for the school registrar to certify the record before a notary, who notarizes the registrar’s signature.

Contact us before preparing your documents so we can review the appropriate requirements.

Option 1: Use VisaDC

1. Contact us with your document type and destination country.
2. Email a clear copy for an initial review.
3. Complete the Authentication Request Form.
4. Mail the required original, certified, or properly notarized document after we confirm the requirements.
5. We coordinate submission and return delivery.

Option 2: Apply Directly

You may submit eligible documents directly to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, following its current instructions.

Contact VisaDC for the current estimated service turnaround before mailing your documents. Timing depends on document preparation, submission arrangements, and government processing.

For applicants submitting directly by mail, Massachusetts currently lists two to three weeks for processing. Shipping time is additional.

Federal apostilles follow a separate timeline.

Massachusetts residents can use our FBI background check apostille service without traveling to Washington, D.C.

• VisaDC service fee: $108.00
• U.S. Department of State fee: $20.00
• Total: $128.00 per document, excluding shipping
• Estimated VisaDC processing time: 8–10 business days from submission to the U.S. Department of State

Email your official FBI-issued PDF and completed Authentication Request Form to begin.

FBI background checks receive federal apostilles through the U.S. Department of State, regardless of where the applicant lives.

Yes. We can arrange delivery to you or a designated third party.

Provide the recipient’s full name, complete delivery address, and telephone number on your request form. You may provide a prepaid shipping label or request a return-shipping quote.

Please confirm all delivery instructions before shipment.

Documents intended for a country where the Hague Apostille Convention does not apply may require authentication and embassy or consular legalization.

Tell us the destination country before submitting your documents. We will review the required process and confirm the applicable fees and estimated timeline.

Massachusetts Apostille

Authentication Certificate of Apostille in Massachusetts

We provide fast Massachusetts Apostille Services documents originating from the Massachusetts Secretary of State Authentication Division.

Massachusetts Apostille Services, We provide fast Apostille service for, FBI Background Check, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Diploma, Transcripts, Power Of Attorney, & Much More issued from all 50 U.S. States.

Who issues apostilles

An Apostille or Certificate of Authentication issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State.

How much does an Apostille cost

The apostille fees $108.00 in addition to $15.00 to the cost of the certificate.
Notary Fees: $5.00
– A Completed Authentication Request Form (PDF).
Toll Free: #1-877-721-7678

How do I get an apostille

To order by phone, call 1-877-721-7678 Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Tell the customer service representative that you need an apostille and they will help you with your order and payment.

Personal Documents
Birth certificates or Marriage & Divorce
Certificate of Single Status
Local/State Police Background Check
Personal Power of Attorney
Certified Translations

Department of Health and Human Services
Certificate of Foreign Governments
Certificate of Pharmaceutical Export
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal/Plant Certification
Animals Health Certifications

Apostille U.S Patent and Trademark Office
Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Documents notarized by a military notary
Certain Pension Retirement documents
Certificates of Naturalization Documents
IRS Form 6166
Contact us if your document is not listed.

Apostille Copy of Passports (Identification Page
Copy of Driver License
U.S Department of Justice
FBI Background Checks
U.S Federal Court Documents
U.S Bankruptcy Court
District Court Petition of Name Change

Massachusetts Apostille or Authentication

May I send my federal documents to your office to be authenticated?

No. Federal documents are not authenticated at the state level. Please contact the United States Department of State Authentications Office.

Can my document be sent to a third party by your office after it has been authenticated?

Yes. Documents may be directed to a third party when the sender encloses a pre-addressed, pre-paid carrier-envelope when mailing the documents to our office for authentication. Any documents received without a paid return envelope will be delivered to the original sender via United States Postal Service.