Massachusetts Apostille: Fees, Processing Time & How to Order (2026)
Massachusetts apostilles are issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section for $6 per document. Mail orders take about 5–10 business days; same-day counter service is available — counter service in boston.. Documents headed to a non-Hague country need authentication and embassy legalization instead of an apostille.
| Government fee | $6 per document |
|---|---|
| Competent authority | Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section |
| Mail processing | 5–10 business days |
| Counter option | same-day counter service — Counter service in Boston. |
| County pre-certification | sometimes — Some notarized documents from certain jurisdictions may need a register-of-probate or clerk certification first. |
| Payment | check, money order |
| Official page | Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section → |
Check your exact Massachusetts steps
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Step-by-step: order a Massachusetts apostille by mail
- Get the right certified copy. Massachusetts vital records come from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
- Prepare a cover sheet. Include a signed cover sheet naming the destination country, payment payable to the authority above, and a prepaid return envelope. Confirm exact requirements on the official page linked in sources.
- Add payment. Pay $6 per document by check or money order, payable to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section.
- Include a return envelope. Add a prepaid, trackable return envelope so your apostille comes back safely.
- Mail it to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section and keep your tracking number. Mail turnaround is about 5–10 business days.
Walk-in / same-day option
Counter service in Boston. Bring the certified document, a completed cover sheet, and payment. Counter rules change often, so confirm hours on the official page before you drive in.
Which documents can Massachusetts apostille?
These are state-issued documents. Each guide covers the exact copy type and steps for that document in Massachusetts.
| Birth certificate | A certified copy of a birth record, apostilled by the issuing state for use abroad. |
| Diploma / degree certificate | A diploma, typically notarized, apostilled for work or teaching abroad. |
| Marriage certificate | A certified marriage record apostilled by the state that recorded it. |
| Power of attorney | A notarized power of attorney apostilled for property or banking acts abroad. |
| Single status affidavit | A sworn affidavit of no marriage record, apostilled — a near-universal foreign-marriage requirement. |
| Notarized document | Any notarized document (consent letters, copies, statements) apostilled by the state. |
| Academic transcript | A sealed or notarized transcript apostilled for foreign admission or credential evaluation. |
| Death certificate | A certified death record apostilled for foreign probate, insurance, or repatriation. |
| State police / background check | A state criminal-history record apostilled when an FBI check is not demanded. |
| Corporate documents | Articles, good-standing certificates, and resolutions apostilled for foreign business use. |
| Divorce decree / judgment | A court-certified divorce judgment apostilled for remarriage or status proof abroad. |
| Adoption documents / home study | Court-certified or notarized adoption paperwork apostilled for intercountry adoption. |
| Certified translation + affidavit | A translator's notarized affidavit apostilled to accompany a translated document. |
Federal documents are different
Some documents never go to Massachusetts. FBI background checks, IRS letters (like Form 6166), and naturalization certificates are federal — they go only to the U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications, at $20 per document. If you hold one of these, start at the federal channel guide instead.
Going to a non-Hague country?
If your destination is not a Hague Apostille Convention member, an apostille is not enough. You need the Massachusetts authority's certification, then US Department of State authentication, then embassy legalization. Use the Country Checker to see your destination's chain, or read apostille vs. authentication.
Common rejection reasons in Massachusetts
- Submitting a photocopy or a hospital souvenir certificate instead of a certified copy.
- Skipping county-clerk pre-certification on a notarized document (Some notarized documents from certain jurisdictions may need a register-of-probate or clerk certification first.).
- Wrong or missing payment — Massachusetts expects check or money order payable to the authority.
- No return envelope, or an untracked one, which stalls the whole order.
Frequently asked questions
＋How much does an apostille cost in Massachusetts?
The Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section charges $6 per document. That is the government fee only — you pay separately for the certified copy and return shipping. Federal documents cost $20 at the US Department of State instead.
＋How long does a Massachusetts apostille take?
Mail processing runs about 5–10 business days. You can also use same-day counter service — Counter service in Boston..
＋Can I get a Massachusetts apostille in person?
Yes. Counter service in Boston. Bring the certified document, payment, and a completed cover sheet.
＋Does an old birth certificate still work for a Massachusetts apostille?
Age is usually fine as long as it is a current certified copy with the registrar's seal. Massachusetts vital records come from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
＋Do notarized documents need extra steps in Massachusetts?
Sometimes. Some notarized documents from certain jurisdictions may need a register-of-probate or clerk certification first. The Pathway Checker flags this for your exact document.
Neighboring states
Sources
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor
Last verified: July 13, 2026 against the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section and the HCCH status table(official page). See how we verify and how often on ourmethodology page.
This is informational, not legal advice. The receiving authority sets the final requirements — confirm with them and the office named above before you send anything.