Do you need an Apostille on your Social Security Income and Benefits letter? If you’re planning to retire in another country, you maybe asked to obtain an Apostille on this document in order to fulfill the requirements of the Visa.
You can either visit the closest social security office or obtain the letter from the SSA online website located here: http://www.ssa.gov/ .
Please note that some Apostille Service companies will recommend to have this document notarized and Apostilled by the Secretary of State (Example: California Secretary of State Apostille) . The Social Security Letter is a Federal document and must be authenticated by the Secretary of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC. We Apostille several dozen Social Security Income and Benefits Letters every year. Make sure you are working with a professional!
Countries who are members of the Hague Apostille convention will rarely ask you to have your documents authenticated by a Consul or Embassy. In 1961, many countries joined together to create a simplified method of “legalizing” documents for universal recognition. Members of the conference, referred to as the Hague Convention, adopted a document referred to as an Apostille that would be recognized by all member countries.
Since October 15, 1981, the United States has been part of the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
Here is an example of a Washington, DC Apostille:
The Apostille Convention requires that all Apostilles be numbered consecutively, with individual numbers applied to each Apostille issued. The recognized standard Apostille contains a seal and 10 mandatory references: name of country from which the document emanates, name of person signing the document, the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted, in the case of unsigned documents, the name of the authority that has affixed the seal or stamp, place of certification date of certification, the authority issuing the certificate, number of certificate, seal or stamp of authority issuing certificate and signature of authority issuing certificate.
Click to download our International Apostille Order Form. Our Apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.
In Washington, D.C. the U.S. Department of State issues both Authentication Certificates and Apostilles. The destination country determines if your documents will receive an Apostille or a Certification. Countries who are 
