Massachusetts Background Check & Apostille Guide

Issuing agency

Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)

Steps to request and apostille your record

1. STEP 1Request Your Background Check

   • Massachusetts calls its criminal record a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information). You can request your own CORI online or by mail through the DCJIS.
   • Online: Register for an iCORI account at icori.chs.state.ma.us. You must have a valid Massachusetts driver's license or state ID. The fee is $25, payable online.
   • By mail: Download the Personal Request Form from mass.gov, complete it, and mail it with a $25 check or money order payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts" to: DCJIS, 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150.
   • If requesting for immigration purposes, attach a copy of any related paperwork (e.g., visa instructions) to your form.

2. STEP 2Receive Your Results

   • Online requests through iCORI are typically processed within 10 business days, though many are returned sooner.
   • Mail-in requests are returned within approximately 2 weeks.
   • Your CORI report will list any Massachusetts criminal history on file or confirm no record exists.

3. STEP 3Apostille Your Background Check

   • Bring or mail your CORI report to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for an apostille.
   • In person: Visit the Commissions Section, Room 1719, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108. Same-day counter service is available (limit 3 documents per visit).
   • By mail: Send the document with a $6 check or money order payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts" and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail processing takes approximately 5-10 business days.
   • The apostille fee is $6 per document.

4. STEP 4Translate via EcuadorTranslations.com

   • Upload your apostilled CORI to EcuadorTranslations.com for certified Spanish translation.
   • Cost: $150 per document ($130 each for 3 or more documents).
   • Turnaround: 3 business days. Your translation is certified and notarized, ready for submission to Ecuador immigration.

Apostille authority

Key notes

• Massachusetts uses the term CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) instead of "background check" — Ecuador immigration authorities accept this as equivalent.
• The iCORI online system requires a valid Massachusetts driver's license or state ID. If you no longer live in MA or lack MA-issued ID, you must use the mail-in process.
• Free CORI reports are available if you qualify through an Affidavit of Indigency (income below 125% of federal poverty guidelines or receiving public assistance).
• Massachusetts is officially a "Commonwealth," so the apostille office is the Secretary of the Commonwealth, not Secretary of State.

Sources and verification