MASSACHUSETTS · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, apostilles are issued exclusively by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Commissions Section in Boston (One Ashburton Place, Room 1719), not by a "Secretary of State" or any county office. An apostille certifies the signature and seal on your document so it is accepted abroad — it does not translate anything, which is where certified translation comes in. Translation HelpDesk provides USCIS-ready certified translations at $0.05/word (most civil documents run $15-25) with a free 250-word sample and 24-48 hour turnaround, so your birth certificate, marriage record, or diploma is ready to pair with the Massachusetts apostille. Founded by Victor Luján in 2018, we work from Chihuahua, Mexico and serve clients across all 50 states.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Commissions Section (the state does not call it "Secretary of State"). Main office: Room 1719, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108; regional offices in Springfield and Fall River also process requests.
HOW IT WORKS IN MASSACHUSETTS
Getting an Apostille in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Commissions Section, not by any county or the courts. Your document must first carry an original signature from a Massachusetts official the state recognizes — a notary public, justice of the peace, city or town clerk, or the Registry of Vital Records (photocopied signatures are rejected), so vital records like birth and marriage certificates must be certified copies from the town/city clerk or the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. You then submit each document with a completed Apostille/Certification Request Form that names the destination country: at the Boston counter, up to three documents are usually done while you wait and four or more are ready the next business day after 3:00 p.m., or you can mail it in with payment and a prepaid return envelope. The office issues an apostille when the destination country belongs to the Hague Convention and a certificate of authentication when it does not, so confirm which your country needs before you go.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Certified translation and the apostille are two separate steps, and the order depends on direction. For a Massachusetts document going abroad, get the apostille on the original English document FIRST, then have both the document and the apostille certificate translated — many countries require the apostille itself to be translated, and skipping that is the most common reason a document is bounced overseas. For a foreign document you are bringing into the U.S. (for USCIS, courts, or a university), the apostille is issued in the country of origin and the certified English translation is done afterward here. The mistake we see most is people apostilling a plain translation or assuming a notarized translation equals an apostille — Massachusetts will not apostille a translation that lacks a recognized official's original signature.
Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) that USCIS accepts, and can advise on whether you need the apostille before or after translation for your specific document and destination.
FEES & TIMING
Cost & Turnaround
Apostille fee: Massachusetts charges $6.00 per document for an apostille or certification (verified on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's site), but always confirm the current fee before submitting since state fees change. This is separate from any notary fee and from Translation HelpDesk's translation cost of $0.05/word (typically $15-25 for a standard civil document).
Typical processing: State apostille: in-person, up to 3 documents same-day while you wait, 4 or more ready the next business day after 3:00 p.m.; by mail, roughly 2-3 weeks plus mailing time. Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk: 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Massachusetts?
The Secretary of the Commonwealth's Commissions Section, located at Room 1719, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108, with regional offices in Springfield and Fall River. Massachusetts uses the title 'Secretary of the Commonwealth,' not 'Secretary of State,' but it is the same statewide authority. Counties and courts cannot issue apostilles.
Should I translate my document before or after getting the Massachusetts apostille?
It depends on direction. For a Massachusetts document going to another country, get the apostille first on the original, then translate both the document and the apostille certificate, since many countries require the apostille itself to be translated. For a foreign document coming into the U.S., it is apostilled in its home country and the certified English translation is done afterward here.
How much does a Massachusetts apostille cost?
The state fee is $6.00 per document as listed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, though you should verify the current fee before submitting. That is separate from translation. Translation HelpDesk charges $0.05 per word, usually $15-25 for a standard civil document like a birth or marriage certificate.
How long does the Massachusetts apostille take?
At the Boston counter, up to three documents are typically completed same-day while you wait, and four or more are ready the next business day after 3:00 p.m. Mailed requests take about two to three weeks plus mailing time. Translation HelpDesk delivers certified translations in 24-48 hours, so translation is rarely the bottleneck.
Will USCIS accept my Massachusetts document with a translation?
USCIS requires a certified English translation of any foreign-language document, and it must be complete and accurate with a signed translator certification. Our translations are formatted to meet USCIS standards, and we back them with our USCIS Rejection Pledge. Note that USCIS filings usually need a certified translation, not an apostille — apostilles are for documents used between countries.
Does Massachusetts apostille a certified translation?
Massachusetts only apostilles documents bearing an original signature from a recognized official such as a notary public or clerk. A plain certified translation cannot be apostilled on its own; to apostille a translation, the translator's certification must be notarized in Massachusetts so the notary's signature is what the state authenticates. Start with a free 250-word sample to see our certified format.
Can you translate a document in Massachusetts even though you are based in Mexico?
Yes. Translation HelpDesk operates from Chihuahua, Mexico and serves clients in all 50 states, including Massachusetts, entirely online. You send your document by email, we return a certified translation in 24-48 hours, and you handle the apostille locally at One Ashburton Place or by mail.