In today’s interconnected world, borders no longer limit education, careers, business expansion, or family life. A Harvard graduate may accept employment in South Korea. A biotech startup in Boston’s Seaport District may open offices in Germany or Switzerland. A family in Newton may be completing an international adoption from Colombia.

No matter the reason, one critical requirement remains the same: documents issued in Massachusetts must be legally recognized abroad.

This is where apostille and international document legalization services in Boston become essential.

At Colon Constable Services (CCS), we serve as the trusted legal bridge between Massachusetts-issued documents and foreign governments worldwide. As licensed Massachusetts Constables, professional Notaries Public, and apostille specialists, we provide end-to-end, white-glove apostille services that ensure your documents are accepted without delay, rejection, or costly errors.

From Boston to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East — we make your documents internationally valid.

An apostille is an official authentication certificate issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth that verifies the legitimacy of a public official’s signature on a document.

Apostilles are governed by the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, an international treaty designed to eliminate complicated embassy legalization chains.

Why Apostilles Matter

Before the Hague Convention, documents required multiple layers of legalization: • Notarization
• State authentication
• Federal authentication
• Embassy or consulate legalization

An apostille replaces all of these steps with one internationally recognized certificate — provided the destination country is a Hague Convention member.

If your document originates in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, it must receive a Massachusetts apostille to be valid abroad.

Over 120 countries accept apostilles. CCS regularly processes Massachusetts apostilles for:

Europe

France, Italy, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Finland

North, Central & South America

Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Canada

Asia & Oceania

Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong

Middle East & Africa

Israel, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia

If your destination country accepts apostilles, no embassy visit is required.

Some countries do not accept apostilles and instead require full embassy or consular legalization.

Common non-Hague destinations include: United Arab Emirates (UAE), China (mainland), Qatar, Kuwait, Vietnam, Thailand, Egypt

For these countries, CCS manages the entire authentication chain, including: • Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
• U.S. Department of State (Washington, DC)
• Foreign Embassy or Consulate

This process is complex, time-sensitive, and error-prone — and one mistake can cause rejection abroad. CCS handles every step correctly the first time.

Boston is the academic capital of the world, and CCS is a leader in university apostille services.

We assist students, alumni, faculty, and administrators with apostilles for: • Diplomas
• Transcripts
• Enrollment verification letters
• Certificates of attendance
• Degrees for visa, employment, and licensing abroad

Universities We Serve

Harvard University
MIT
Boston University
Northeastern University
Boston College
Tufts University
Suffolk University
Berklee College of Music
Emerson College
UMass Boston

(All Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts)

Registrar Coordination

Many universities require registrar notarization before apostille. CCS acts as your authorized proxy, coordinating pickup, notarization, apostille, and secure return — even if you are overseas.

We process apostilles daily for certified Massachusetts vital records, including:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Death certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Certificates of no impediment

These documents are commonly required for: Dual citizenship
Marriage abroad
Family reunification visas
International adoption
Residency permits

If you don’t have the certified record, CCS retrieves it directly from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records or local city/town clerks.

International business expansion requires legally authenticated documentation.

We apostille: • Articles of Incorporation
• Certificates of Good Standing
• Operating Agreements
• Bylaws
• Board resolutions
• Powers of Attorney
• Commercial contracts

Our clients include: Biotech firms
Startups
Law firms
Real estate investors
International corporations

From the Financial District to the Seaport and Kendall Square, CCS supports Boston’s global business community.

Many countries require FBI Identity History Summary Reports for: Work visas
Residency permits
Teaching abroad
International employment

These documents require federal authentication in Washington, DC — not Massachusetts.

CCS manages: • FBI apostille processing
• U.S. Department of State authentication
• Embassy legalization when required

You upload your FBI PDF — we handle everything else.

Licensed Massachusetts Constables

We are officers of the court, not document runners. We understand: • Court-certified documents
• Legal compliance
• Trial court procedures

Mobile Notary Public Services

A document cannot be apostilled unless properly notarized.

We provide mobile notary services throughout Greater Boston, including: Homes
Offices
Hospitals
Universities
Senior facilities

Hand-Carried Expedited Apostille Processing

Mailing documents can take weeks.

We hand-carry documents to One Ashburton Place, dramatically reducing turnaround times and preventing rejections.

International Client Support

Live overseas? No problem.

Clients regularly send us documents from: Europe
Asia
Latin America
Middle East

We apostille and return them via FedEx, DHL, or UPS with full tracking.

1. Consultation – We verify country requirements
2. Document Review – Prevents rejection
3. Notarization – Mobile or in-office
4. Secretary of the Commonwealth Processing
5. Embassy Legalization (if required)
6. Secure Domestic or International Delivery

• Incorrect notarial wording
• Uncertified copies
• Staple removal (tampering rejection)
• Wrong authentication path
• Mailing delays
• Embassy rejections

One error can delay visas, weddings, job start dates, or adoptions. CCS eliminates that risk.

Boston
Back Bay
Beacon Hill
South End
North End
Seaport District
Dorchester

Cambridge
Somerville
Brookline
Newton
Quincy
Waltham
Medford

(All cities and towns in Massachusetts)

Statewide service including Worcester, Springfield, North Shore, South Shore, MetroWest

When your future depends on international document acceptance, experience matters.

At Colon Constable Services, we don’t just authenticate paperwork — we protect your timeline, your investment, and your opportunity.

Call or Text: 617-586-5482
Email: [email protected]
Website: colonconstableservices.com