Massachusetts
Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Massachusetts
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.
- Authenticated by
- Depends on the issuer
- Massachusetts apostille office
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (by mail)
- 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 serve Massachusetts by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications. There’s no need to visit an office in person.
| 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.
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.