What documents can be used as Proof of Income?
The most common documents may include:
Pay Stubs
Proof of Income Letter
Bank statement
Tax Documents：
federal 1040 form or state tax return,
Wages and tax statement (W-2 and/ or 1099)
Social Security Administration Statements (Social Security Benefits Letter)
Annuity Statements
...
Any kind of Proof of Income issued in the United States needs to be notarized and apostilled or authenticated before its use in other countries outside the United States.
If the destination country is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, your document falls under the Apostille process (following Step 1-2);
If it's NOT a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, your document is required to go through the Authentication process (following Step 1-4).
Authentication or Apostille Process
Step 1: Get your Proof of Income and have it notarized by a local notary
Step 2: Get it authenticated or apostilled by the Secretary of State
For Hague Convention Countries, get it certified with an apostille by the Secretary of State. For Proof of Income, it does not require additional certification by the U.S. Department of State or legalization by a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to be recognized in a participating country. You are all set!
For Non-Hague Convention Countries, get it certified with authentication by the Secretary of State. Go to Step 3.
Step 3: Get it authenticated or apostilled by the Department of State
Have your Proof of Income authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.
Step 4: Get it legalized by the embassy of your destination country
Contact the embassy of your destination country to get the Proof of Income legalized.
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