A Complete Guide to Getting a Fast, Hassle-Free Apostille for a Social Security Benefit Letter
Why Expats Need an Apostille for a Social Security Benefit Letter
Many American citizens are relocating to countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Spain for various reasons. Those who choose to live abroad are often referred to as expats.
When settling in a foreign country, embassies and consulates frequently require proof of income to confirm financial stability. While several documents can serve this purpose, the most commonly accepted is the Social Security Benefit Letter. However, before it can be legally recognized outside the United States, it must go through the apostille process.
What is a Social Security Benefit Letter?
The Social Security Benefit Letter—sometimes called a “benefit verification letter,” “proof of income letter,” or “proof of award letter”—is an official document from the Social Security Administration (SSA). It verifies retirement benefits, disability payments, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare coverage.
If you need to present this document internationally, it must be apostilled to be legally recognized in another country.
How to Obtain a Social Security Benefit Letter from the SSA
The easiest way to get your Social Security Benefit Letter is by requesting it online through mySocialSecurity on the SSA website.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Go to the SSA website (ssa.gov) and log into your mySocialSecurity account.
- Request a Benefit Verification Letter for retirement, disability, SSI, or Medicare benefits.
- Download and print the letter instantly, or choose to receive a mailed copy.
You can also request the letter by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting a local Social Security office in person.
How to Get an Apostille for a Social Security Benefit Letter
Once you have your Social Security Benefit Letter, the next step is obtaining an apostille so it can be accepted in another country.
Step 1 – Notarizing the Custodian Affidavit of True Copy
A common misconception is that a Social Security official must sign the letter before it can be apostilled. Some people even visit their local SSA office to try to get a signature. This is not necessary!
Instead, the correct procedure is to prepare a “custodian affidavit of true copy”—a document where you, as the document holder, attest that the attached letter is a true and correct copy of the original. This affidavit must be notarized properly, but most Florida notaries are unfamiliar with the exact requirements.
If the affidavit is not executed correctly, the Florida Department of State will reject the application, leading to frustrating delays.
Step 2 – Submitting to the Florida Department of State
Once your custodian affidavit of true copy is notarized, it must be submitted—along with the authenticated copy of your Social Security Benefit Letter—to the Florida Department of State for the apostille.
If you are outside of Florida, the true copy affidavit must be apostilled in the state where the notary is commissioned, adding another layer of complexity.
Avoid Costly Mistakes – Let Us Handle the Process for You
Handling the apostille process on your own may seem simple, but many people encounter unexpected delays and rejections. While the form itself is straightforward, the Florida Department of State has strict requirements, and even a small mistake—like an improperly worded affidavit—can result in your application being denied, costing you weeks of lost time.
If you’re outside Florida, the process becomes even more complicated. Many notaries are unfamiliar with the exact wording required for a custodian affidavit of true copy, and if it’s not done correctly, your document will be rejected.
Why Choose Florida Document Specialists?
✔ We handle everything for you—no mistakes, no delays.
✔ We provide expert online notarization for your custodian affidavit.
✔ We personally walk your documents through the Florida Department of State to ensure fast processing.
Order an Apostille for Your Social Security Benefit Letter
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Social Security Benefit Letters Only | 2-3 Business Day Turnaround-
$75 for Each Additional Apostille - Great for Couples!
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Florida Department of State Fees Included
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Affidavit Preparation Included
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Remote Online Notarization (RON) Included
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What is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official certification issued by a state’s Department of State to verify the authenticity of a document for international use.
Foreign embassies or consulates typically require an apostille for any document being used in their country. One of the most common documents requiring an apostille is the Social Security Benefit Letter.
Apostille Process Overview
- We receive a quality scan of your letter through our secure ordering portal.
- We verify your identity and generate a “true copy” custodian affidavit, which you sign online.
- A brief video conference with one of our online notaries finalizes the notarization.
- We hand-carry your document to the Florida Department of State for the apostille.
- Once completed, we return your apostilled letter via FedEx or DHL anywhere in the world.
Apostille Process for Non-Hague Countries
If you’re using your Social Security Benefit Letter in a non-Hague country like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), additional steps are required:
- Authenticate your Social Security Benefit Letter with the Florida Department of State.
- Submit the document to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Process the document through the country’s embassy or consulate.
We have extensive experience handling apostilles and authentications for non-Hague countries, ensuring a smooth and error-free process.
Need a Certified Translation?
Some countries require certified translations of the Social Security Benefit Verification Letter. We offer certified translations in 95 languages, complete with a notarized affidavit of translation if needed.
Not sure what your destination country requires? We can help!
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Skip the hassle, avoid delays, and eliminate the risk of rejections—let Florida Document Specialists handle your apostille process quickly and correctly!
For a limited time, use coupon code SSPROMO when ordering to save on your RUSH apostille order. Don’t wait—place your order now and let us take care of the rest!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A Social Security Benefit Letter, also called a Benefit Verification Letter, is an official document from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that confirms your benefits, including retirement, disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare.
If you plan to use your Social Security Benefit Letter outside the U.S., many foreign embassies, consulates, and government agencies require an apostille to verify its authenticity.
No. The SSA does not sign these letters for apostille purposes. Instead, the correct process involves a notarized custodian affidavit of true copy, which affirms that your document is a true copy of the original.
You can request it online through mySocialSecurity at ssa.gov, by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a local SSA office.
No. The proper process requires a notarized custodian affidavit of true copy, which must be completed correctly. Many notaries are unfamiliar with this requirement, and an incorrectly notarized document will be rejected by the Florida Department of State.
With our limited-time SSPROMO promotion, we can complete your apostille in just 2-3 business days! If you choose to handle the process yourself by mail, the Florida Department of State typically takes 30-35 days—not including any delays from errors or missing documents. Skip the wait and let us take care of it fast!
Yes! We can notarize your document online, regardless of where you are located. Then, we personally process the apostille in Florida and return it to you via FedEx or DHL.
Absolutely! We work with clients worldwide. After your apostille is completed, we can ship your document to most international destinations via DHL Express.
If you attempt to process your apostille yourself, rejections are common due to improper notarization. By using Florida Document Specialists, we ensure your document meets all state requirements, eliminating the risk of rejection.
Countries that are part of the Hague Convention accept apostilles. If your destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, your document will require additional steps, including authentication by the U.S. Department of State and legalization at the country's embassy or consulate.
Yes, but keep in mind that if your document is notarized in a different state, you will need to obtain the apostille from that state's Department of State, not Florida’s.
No, an apostille does not expire. However, some countries require that documents be issued within a certain timeframe, so check with the requesting authority.
Yes! Our RUSH service processes your apostille in 2-3 business days, which is 93% faster than the standard self-service method.
Simple! Place your order on this page, and we’ll handle the rest—from online notarization to personally processing your apostille at the Florida Department of State.