MASSACHUSETTS APOSTILLE & LEGALIZATION

Certification and Legalization of Documents
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Documents that will be used outside the United States often require certification or legalization before they can be accepted by a foreign government or institution. Common examples include:
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• International adoption paperwork
• Diplomas and academic records
• Marriage, birth, and death certificates
• Court judgments and criminal records
• Corporate documents, contracts, and business records used abroad

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Each destination country has its own requirements, and identifying the receiving country is essential because the type of certification depends on whether the country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents going to Hague‑member countries receive an Apostille. Documents going to non‑Hague countries require Certification and Legalization.


Massachusetts‑Only Document Certification
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Massachusetts-Subpoena is not a national apostille service. We exclusively process documents that:
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• Originate in Massachusetts, and
• Bear the original signature of a Massachusetts public official

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth can only certify documents that contain a wet-ink signature from one of the following authorized officers:
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• Massachusetts Notary Public
• Justice of the Peace
• City or Town Clerk (or Assistant Clerk)
• Court Clerk (or Assistant Clerk)
• Registrar of Vital Records

Photocopied or scanned signatures cannot be certified under any circumstances.

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