What is an SSA Benefit Verification Letter?
The Benefit Verification Letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA), sometimes called a "budget letter," a "benefits letter," a "proof of income letter," or a "proof of award letter” serves as proof that you either:
Get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicare.
Have never received benefits or SSI.
Have applied for benefits.
You can request one online by using your my Social Security account, which will allow you to immediately view, print, and save a copy of the letter. You'll get a digital copy.
Request a signed SSA Benefit Verification Letter for apostille
If this letter is going to be used outside of the US, please request a signed copy of a benefit verification letter for apostille or authentication purposes. You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or visit the closest Social Security Office.
To check whether or not the letter is qualified for apostille:
It must be executed by U.S. federal agencies - the SSA
It must include a legible signature of the official's name, printed name and title, and seal of the agency
How to apostille (or authenticate) an SSA Benefit Verification Letter?
Once the SSA has mailed you a signed Benefit Verification Letter, you must get it apostilled or authenticated for it to be valid in a foreign country. The destination country of your document will decide which certificate you should obtain.
An Apostille is for documents to be used in countries that participated in the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty. Once complete, no more steps are needed.
Authentication certificates are for documents to be used in countries that do not participate in the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty. The documents undergo an additional step for obtaining an authentication certificate from the country's embassy in DC.
If the destination country is a member country/region (such as Germany, Spain, France, etc.):
Get an Apostille from the US Department of State.
If the destination country is NOT a member country/region :
Get an Authentication from the U.S. Department of State.
Get a Legalization from the Embassy.
Simply place the order based on your situation and mail us the original copy you received from the SSA. We will contact the right people and department at the U.S. Department of State to apostille your Benefit Verification Letter or authenticate it at the U.S. Department of State and then get it legalized at your destination country's embassy.
The apostille and authentication process can be complicated. If you don't want to spend a lot of time and energy getting into it, your best bet is to let a professional do it for you. Once we receive your order and document, it'll be processed as soon as possible.
Besides the SSA Benefit Verification Letter, we also provide apostille, authentication, and embassy legalization services for other personal documents and corporate documents issued in 50 states and DC.
American Notary Service Center Inc. provides fair, fast, confidential, and professional document notarization and certification services for our clients. We also provide various assistance services to small businesses led by socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Our service helps small businesses obtain federal government contracts, gain a foothold in the market, and boost their sales. For more information, please visit our website at www.usnotarycenter.com, and contact us by calling 202-599-0777 or by email at info@usnotarycenter.com.