MASSACHUSETTS CRIMINAL RECORD (CORI)
Massachusetts CORI Apostille
Some countries ask for a Massachusetts criminal record check as well as, or instead of, an FBI background check. Your CORI comes from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), and its apostille comes from the Secretary of the Commonwealth. You order the certified CORI, route it to us, and we handle the rest.
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STATE APOSTILLE
1–2 business days
Once we have your certified CORI
- Certified CORI from DCJIS
- Massachusetts apostille or certification
- Embassy legalization if needed
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
CORI or FBI background check?
| Massachusetts CORI | FBI background check | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Massachusetts criminal records | National records |
| Issued by | DCJIS (Massachusetts) | The FBI |
| Apostilled by | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth | U.S. Department of State |
| Typical time with us | 1–2 business days once we have it | About 10 business days |
Some countries ask for both. Tell us your destination and we’ll confirm which you need. See FBI background check apostille.
How to get your certified CORI to us
- 1
Start your request with us
Tap Start My CORI Apostille and tell us the destination country and your deadline. We reply with your quote and mailing instructions.
- 2
Order a certified CORI from DCJIS
With a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID, request your own CORI through iCORI. Without one, use the CORI Personal Request Form. Either way, ask for a certified copy for apostille.
- 3
Route the certified CORI to us
Mail the original certified CORI to us using the instructions we send, or hand it to us at your appointment anywhere in Greater Boston.
- 4
We file the apostille
We file it in person with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, usually ready in 1–2 business days.
- 5
Translation, legalization and delivery
We add a certified translation or embassy legalization if your destination needs it, then ship worldwide with tracking.
How long it takes
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Your certified CORI from DCJIS | Depends on DCJIS; order it as soon as you know you need it |
| Massachusetts apostille | 1–2 business days once we have the certified CORI |
| Certified translation, if needed | Usually 3 business days, with rush available |
| Embassy legalization, for non-Hague countries | About 3 to 5 weeks in total, depending on the embassy |
Tell us your filing deadline when you start, and we’ll tell you when to order the CORI so it’s recent enough.
Already living outside Massachusetts?
You can still get your Massachusetts CORI apostilled. If you don’t have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID, request it from DCJIS with the CORI Personal Request Form instead of iCORI, and ask for the certified copy. Mail the certified CORI to us, and we’ll return the apostilled record anywhere in the world.
Going to a country outside the Apostille Convention? Your CORI gets a Massachusetts certification, then U.S. Department of State authentication and embassy legalization, all under one order.
Who needs a CORI apostille
Residency and visas
Long-stay visas and residence permits often ask for criminal record checks from every place you’ve lived, including Massachusetts.
Teaching and work abroad
Schools and employers abroad may want both a CORI and an FBI check for teachers and childcare workers.
Citizenship and marriage
Citizenship applications and marriage registrations abroad sometimes ask for a local record as well as a national one.
Adoption
International adoption dossiers usually include criminal record checks for each adoptive parent.
Avoid these common delays
- Sending a printout. Only a certified CORI from DCJIS can be apostilled.
- Ordering too early. If your destination wants a recent record, time your request so it’s still valid when you file abroad.
- Names that don’t match. Request the CORI under the name on your passport, and tell us about any other names you’ve used.
- Assuming one record is enough. Many countries also want an FBI check. We confirm both before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Does a CORI cover other states?
No. A CORI covers Massachusetts records only. For a national check, see FBI background check apostilles. Some countries ask for both.
Can a CORI printout be apostilled?
No. The Secretary of the Commonwealth can only apostille a certified CORI issued by DCJIS. A screenshot or printout of your iCORI results won’t work, so request the certified copy for apostille.
How do I request a certified CORI?
If you have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID, request your own CORI through the iCORI service. If you don’t, use the CORI Personal Request Form. Ask for a certified copy for apostille; DCJIS may charge an additional fee for it.
How recent does my CORI need to be?
Many countries only accept records issued within a set number of months. Tell us your destination and we’ll confirm before you order.
Can you apostille a CORI I already have?
If it’s a certified copy from DCJIS and recent enough for your destination, usually yes. Send us a scan and we’ll confirm.
My country isn’t in the Apostille Convention. Can you still help?
Yes. Your CORI gets a Massachusetts certification instead of an apostille, then U.S. Department of State authentication and embassy legalization. We handle every step.
How much does it cost?
Every request is a little different, so we send a personalized quote before we start.
Need your Massachusetts CORI apostilled?
Tell us your destination country, and we’ll walk you through every step.