Who issues apostilles in Massachusetts?

Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Commissions Section, with in-person counters in Boston and Springfield.

Where do Massachusetts vital records come from?

Certified copies come from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or the city/town clerk where the event occurred; you need a certified copy before the apostille.

Northeast · MA

The Bay State

How to get an apostille in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, apostilles are issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Commissions Section (Apostilles). Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Massachusetts apostille looks like.

Capital: Boston
Governor (2026): Maura Healey
State flower: Mayflower
State bird: Black-capped Chickadee

Apostille signed by Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Commissions Section (Apostilles)

Draft — pending source verification. This page was drafted from the standard Massachusetts process and the official source linked below. Always confirm the current fee, address, and steps on the official page before you mail anything.

Step-by-step: an apostille in Massachusetts

01
Confirm the document is Massachusetts-issued or notarized by a Massachusetts notary public.
02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Secretary of the Commonwealth authenticates the notary's commission, not your signature directly. Vital records and court documents skip this step (they are certified by the issuing office instead).
03
For vital records, obtain a certified copy from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or the city/town clerk.
04
Complete the apostille request and identify the destination country.
05
Submit by mail or in person with the fee and a prepaid return envelope.
06
Receive your apostille or certificate of authentication.

Massachusetts apostille fees & processing time

Competent authority	Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Commissions Section (Apostilles)
State fee	$6 per document (verify current fee)
Processing time	Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Boston and Springfield.
Mailing / submission	Mail to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section, in Boston (verify the current address online). In-person counters operate in Boston and Springfield. Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage.

Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Commissions Section (Apostilles) — https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/public-records/apostilles-and-certifications.htmDraft — verify fees, address, and steps against the official page before relying on them.

Documents commonly apostilled in Massachusetts

Birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies from the state vital-records office)
Divorce decrees and court orders (certified by the clerk of court)
Powers of attorney and affidavits (signed before a notary)
Single-status / no-record affidavits for marriage abroad
Diplomas, transcripts, and degree certificates
Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, good-standing certificates, board resolutions
Commercial and export documents

Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by Massachusetts.

Specimen

What a Massachusetts apostille looks like

A Massachusetts apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Commissions Section (Apostilles) as the issuing authority. Below is an illustrative specimen — it is not a valid document and contains no real data.

See specimens for all states →

APOSTILLE

(Convention de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961)

1.Country United States of America
2.has been signed by [NAME OF SIGNER]
3.acting in the capacity of [CAPACITY — e.g. Notary Public]
4.bears the seal / stamp of [ISSUING OFFICIAL / SEAL]
5.at [CITY / PLACE]
6.the [DATE]
7.by Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Commissions Section (Apostilles)
8.No. 0000000
9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
10.Signature [SIGNATURE]

SPECIMEN — NOT A VALID DOCUMENT. Illustrative example only, showing the standard apostille layout for Massachusetts. Contains no real names, numbers, signatures, or government seal. Not legal advice.

Massachusetts apostille FAQ

Who issues apostilles in Massachusetts?: Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Commissions Section, with in-person counters in Boston and Springfield.
Where do Massachusetts vital records come from?: Certified copies come from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or the city/town clerk where the event occurred; you need a certified copy before the apostille.

Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Massachusetts apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Commissions Section (Apostilles) via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.

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