SSA Benefit Verification Letter Apostille
What is an SSA Benefit Verification Letter?
An SSA Benefit Verification Letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA)—sometimes called a budget letter, benefits letter, proof of income letter, or award letter—is an official document that verifies your Social Security status. This letter may confirm that you:
Currently receive Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare.
Have applied for benefits but are waiting for approval.
Have never received Social Security or SSI benefits.
You can request a digital version of this letter instantly by logging into your my Social Security account. From there, you can download, save, and print the letter at any time.
Why You May Need a Signed SSA Benefit Verification Letter for Apostille
If you need to use your SSA Benefit Verification Letter outside the United States, you must request a signed copy that qualifies for apostille or authentication. To obtain it, contact the SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or visit your nearest SSA office.
For the letter to be eligible for apostille, it must:
Be issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Contain the official’s signature, printed name, title, and SSA seal.
Appear on SSA letterhead.
Important Update: Many applicants report that the SSA does not always provide a signed version. In such cases, you may take the letter to a notary public for notarization. Once notarized, the document becomes acceptable for the apostille process.
How to Apostille or Authenticate an SSA Benefit Verification Letter
After receiving a signed (or notarized) Benefit Verification Letter, you must have it apostilled or authenticated for it to be legally recognized in another country. The type of certification depends on the destination country.
Apostille Certificate – For countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention (e.g., France, Spain, Germany, Italy). Once apostilled, no further legalization is required.
Authentication Certificate – For countries not part of the Hague Convention, the process requires extra steps, including legalization at the foreign embassy or consulate in Washington, DC.
Quick Guide:
If your destination country is a Hague member → Get an Apostille from the State or the U.S. Department of State.
If your destination country is not a Hague member → Obtain an Authentication from the State, then the U.S. Department of State, and finally the foreign embassy.
Simply mail us your original SSA Benefit Verification Letter or a notarized copy, and we will manage the entire apostille or authentication process for you.
Why Work with a Professional Service?
The apostille and authentication process can be time-consuming and complicated, especially if you’re unfamiliar with government requirements. By working with a professional service, you save time, avoid delays, and ensure your documents are properly processed for international use.
In addition to SSA Benefit Verification Letters, we also provide apostille services, authentication, and embassy legalization for a wide range of personal and business documents across all 50 states and Washington, DC.
About Us
Embassy & Apostille Services provides fast, secure, and professional notary, apostille, and legalization services. We also assist small businesses, especially those led by socially and economically disadvantaged groups, in accessing federal contracts and growing their presence in the marketplace.
