Massachusetts
Federal Marriage Record Apostille for Massachusetts Residents
How Massachusetts residents get their Federal Marriage Record authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
Most federal marriage record holders in Massachusetts actually have a state-issued record, which goes to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
Key takeaways
- Issued by U.S. Department of State / consular authority; apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State — the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can’t apostille it.
- 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.
- Authenticated by
- Depends on the issuer
- Massachusetts apostille office
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
- Our nearest office
- Boston
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
Married in Massachusetts? It’s probably a state record
Marriage certificates issued by a Massachusetts county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston — not by the U.S. Department of State. Only consular or federally issued marriage records take the federal route.
Send us a photo before ordering and we’ll tell you which route yours takes.
About the Federal Marriage Record
How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.
What the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can do
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston issues apostilles for documents signed by Massachusetts officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from Massachusetts registrars, Massachusetts state-court records, and documents notarized by Massachusetts notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from 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.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Serving Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge and everywhere else in Massachusetts.
Official sources: U.S. Department of State — Marriage Abroad · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Apostilles & Authentications · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries).
Massachusetts state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Commissions Section · One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108 · 617-727-2836 · state fee $6. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
How long does the Federal Marriage Record 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 it 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).
Federal Marriage Record in Massachusetts — FAQ
Can the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts apostille my Federal Marriage Record?
Only if it's a Massachusetts-issued record. County and state-issued versions go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; genuinely federal ones go to the U.S. Department of State.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from Massachusetts?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most Massachusetts clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Massachusetts?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Related: Federal Marriage Record — full guide · All documents in Massachusetts · Federal vs. state apostille
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.