State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Massachusetts
How Massachusetts residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Massachusetts state documents handled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Massachusetts — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Massachusetts residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Massachusetts state documents go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Massachusetts are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We don’t provide state-level apostilles.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
- State apostille office
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Located in
- Boston
- Federal court districts
- 1
- Our office
- Boston
Federal or Massachusetts document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services check | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Massachusetts birth, death or marriage certificate | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
| Document notarized in Massachusetts | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Massachusetts state court record | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
Federal courts in Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
City guides: Boston
How we serve Massachusetts
We have a processing office in Massachusetts: Boston. It handles orders by phone and online and isn’t open to the public, so documents come to us by mail — the fastest route to Washington. We cover Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge and every other part of Massachusetts.
Pricing is flat: $299 per document for Hague countries (10–12 business days) and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization (15–17 business days), government fees included.
Official sources: Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for Massachusetts residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Massachusetts:
Where are Massachusetts state documents apostilled?
Massachusetts-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Massachusetts — are apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section, not by the U.S. Department of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles, so request it directly from the office below. If it is going to a non-Hague country, get the Massachusetts authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section |
|---|---|
| In person | One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108 Up to 3 documents at the counter |
| Phone | 617-727-2836 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:45 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $6 |
| Processing time (published) | Mail 2–3 weeks |
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — official apostille page (checked October 2026). Fees, hours and appointment rules change — confirm with the office before you send anything.
How long does a federal apostille take from Massachusetts?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does a federal apostille cost from Massachusetts?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
Massachusetts — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Massachusetts?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts handles only Massachusetts state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Massachusetts state documents?
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston.
Which federal courts are in Massachusetts?
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Do I need to visit an office in Massachusetts?
No. We work with Massachusetts clients by mail and handle the Washington submission for you.
How much does a federal apostille cost?
$299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees and U.S. shipping included.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.