How to Get a Massachusetts Apostille in Boston Without the Headache
If you're preparing personal or business documents for use outside the United States, navigating the Massachusetts apostille process can feel confusing and time-consuming. But don’t worry — Colon Constable Services makes it easy.
As one of Boston’s most trusted names in mobile notary, civil process, and document services, we handle the entire apostille process so you don’t have to. Whether you're in Downtown Boston, the Seaport District, Cambridge, or beyond, we ensure your documents are prepared, notarized (if needed), and submitted quickly and accurately.
✅ What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official certificate issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. It authenticates the origin of public documents so they are legally accepted in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
You may need an apostille if you are:
Getting married abroad
Applying for dual citizenship
Moving overseas
Conducting international business
Studying or working in another country
📄 Documents That Often Require Apostille
Colon Constable Services frequently assists with apostilles for the following:
Birth certificates
Marriage and divorce certificates
Death certificates
Power of attorney documents
FBI background checks
College diplomas and transcripts
Corporate bylaws and incorporation records
Adoption dossiers and consent forms
Medical records (with HIPAA authorization)
We provide expert guidance to ensure the correct document version is submitted. For example, Massachusetts birth certificates must be long-form and issued within the last 12 months by the city clerk or Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records.
🌎 Countries That Require Apostilles
If your document is headed to a Hague Convention country, an apostille is the only authentication needed. These include:
Italy
France
Spain
Brazil
Mexico
Portugal
South Korea
Germany
Argentina
Australia
Peru
Ukraine
For non-Hague countries, such as China, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, or Egypt, an apostille will not suffice. Instead, the process includes:
1. Notarization
2. Massachusetts Secretary of State certification
3. U.S. Department of State authentication (Washington, DC)
4. Consular or embassy legalization
Don’t worry — Colon Constable Services also handles non-Hague authentications and embassy legalizations through our nationwide partners.
🛑 Common Apostille Mistakes (and How We Prevent Them)
Getting an apostille may sound simple, but small errors can delay your timeline or lead to document rejection. Some of the most common mistakes we see include:
1. Submitting photocopies instead of certified originals
2. Not using a Massachusetts notary public
3. Sending documents to the wrong agency
4. Using documents issued by unauthorized entities
5. Forgetting to specify the destination country
We prevent these costly errors by reviewing each document for accuracy and compliance before submission.

🧭 The Colon Constable Services Apostille Process in Boston
Step 1: Document Review
Email your files to [email protected] or call 617-586-5482. We’ll confirm if the documents qualify for apostille, need notarization, or must be ordered as certified copies from a town clerk.
Step 2: Notarization or Retrieval
If notarization is required, one of our experienced Massachusetts mobile notaries can come to your home, office, hospital, or school — including Boston Medical Center, Logan Airport, or Suffolk University.
Need a birth or marriage certificate? We retrieve certified copies from:
Boston City Hall
Cambridge City Clerk
Brookline Town Hall
Worcester, Quincy, Lowell, and more
Step 3: Hand-Delivery to Apostille Authority
We hand-deliver your documents to the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Boston or Springfield, ensuring priority service and faster turnaround.
Step 4: Apostille Return
Once completed, we can:
Ship the apostilled document via FedEx or DHL
Hold it for pickup
Deliver it via our local courier
Arrange international shipping
We keep you updated at every step with tracking numbers and real-time communication.
🚨 Urgent or Last-Minute Apostille? We've Got You.
Whether you’re flying out of Boston Logan tomorrow or facing a consulate appointment this week, we offer:
Same-day rush apostille services (if qualified)
Weekend and evening mobile notary appointments
Expedited vital records retrieval
Washington, DC apostille options for FBI background checks
🏥 Apostille Services for Medical Documents
We frequently assist families with notarizing and apostilling medical records, consent forms, and healthcare proxies for international treatment or elder care purposes. Our notaries serve:
Mass General Hospital
Tufts Medical Center
Brigham and Women’s
Beth Israel Deaconess
Boston Children's Hospital
And all Boston area hospitals
📚 Apostille Services for Students and Academic Institutions
Boston is home to world-renowned colleges and universities. Colon Constable Services assists students, graduates, and academic institutions with apostille services for:
Diplomas
Transcripts
Letters of enrollment
TEFL and TESOL certificates
We regularly serve:
Harvard University
MIT
Boston University
Northeastern University
Emerson College
Suffolk University
UMass Boston
International students and alumni trust us to apostille their academic records for use in Italy, Colombia, China, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
🌍 Real Client Success Story
A local attorney in Boston contacted us for a rush apostille on court documents for Spain. The client had been misinformed by another agency, which delayed their timeline by two weeks. Within 48 hours, we had their notarized documents hand-delivered, apostilled, and returned via overnight DHL — just in time for their immigration interview.
📍 Areas We Serve & More
We proudly offer mobile notary and apostille service across:
Boston (Back Bay, South End, Dorchester, Mattapan, West Roxbury)
Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Chelsea
Quincy, Revere, Everett, Malden
Newton, Waltham, Watertown
Worcester, Springfield, Lowell
All 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts
Whether you're downtown near Faneuil Hall, at the John Adams Courthouse, or in the suburbs, our team is just a call away.
🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How long does it take to get an apostille in Massachusetts?
Standard processing takes 5–7 business days. Expedited and same-day service may be available depending on the document and timing.
Q2: Can I apostille a scanned or emailed copy?
No. Apostilles require original, certified documents. We can help you retrieve the correct version if needed.
Q3: What if I need both notarization and apostille?
We offer mobile notarization and can handle both steps in one visit, including court or consulate-ready formats.
Q4: What’s the difference between apostille and embassy legalization?
Apostille is accepted in Hague Convention countries. Non-Hague countries (like China, UAE, and Egypt) require an extra layer: embassy or consulate legalization.
Q5: Do you work with law firms, corporations, or schools?
Absolutely. We offer business and institutional packages for bulk or recurring apostille needs.
🏆 Why Choose Colon Constable Services?
Over 20 years of experience in notary, legal, and apostille services
Local Boston-based support for faster processing
Mobile notary public who comes to your location
Trusted by families, attorneys, HR managers, universities, and real estate professionals
Assistance with both Hague and non-Hague country requirements
Flat-rate pricing and clear communication
📞 Ready to Get Started?
Let’s take the stress out of your apostille process.
Email: [email protected]
Call or Text: 617-586-5482
Website: www.colonconstableservices.com
💡 Pro Tip
Need a Massachusetts apostille for a Dominican Republic citizenship application or a Spanish property power of attorney? We know exactly what those consulates expect — and how to help you meet their requirements, fast.
📌 Final Thoughts
Getting your documents apostilled in Boston doesn’t have to be a nightmare of paperwork, delays, or confusion. With Colon Constable Services, you’re backed by a local team who knows the laws, the process, and the urgency. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress — while ensuring your documents are accepted internationally the first time.
Colon Constable Services — Boston’s Trusted Apostille Partner.