US Social Security benefits verification letter

It can be done you need your award letter, it must be state of residence noterized. after that you need to find your states department of state to then apostile the document. every process must be in person. the documents must be translated then apostile by the Dominican Republic. hope that helps.

AFAIK it works like this, for the US leg of the process (but don't take my word for it):

• federal government docs are apostilled by the US State Department

• state/local government docs are apostilled by the state (and usually don't need to be notarized)

• business documents are apostilled by the state where the business is located, and these DO need to be notarized first

Because the document I need is federal, it has to be done by the US State Department. They seem pretty strict about having a proper signature (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel … ments.html).

I just don't see how it can possibly be true that the Social Security Administration never gives signed documents (?!) but I've been told it quite emphatically now by two different employees. I'll just keep pulling at loose threads ...

@wondering9

Yes, it's a challenge with SSA.

I had to go to the local office in my state.

Additionally, the Miami SSA office is aware of the state department process/requirement of needing the SSA stamp and signed and the state department only needs the SSA agent first name and last name "intial" with SSA stamp.

You can also contact the SSA regional mgmt I think in GA...good luck

AFAIK it works like this, for the US leg of the process (but don't take my word for it):
• federal government docs are apostilled by the US State Department
• state/local government docs are apostilled by the state (and usually don't need to be notarized)
• business documents are apostilled by the state where the business is located, and these DO need to be notarized first
Because the document I need is federal, it has to be done by the US State Department. They seem pretty strict about having a proper signature (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel … ments.html).

I just don't see how it can possibly be true that the Social Security Administration never gives signed documents (?!) but I've been told it quite emphatically now by two different employees. I'll just keep pulling at loose threads ... - @wondering9

The Federal Govt is moving in mysterious ways these days. 

Both the SSA and the DFAS (military retirement administration) no longer give out truly signed copies of their documents.

You can download a copy of your benefits letter, but it will be "signed" with the name of the Section that verified your benefits.

What you have to do is request a Troubleshooting ticket -- explain that you MUST have a benefits verification letter WITH A SIGNATURE.  That will get you into the process to get such a letter, and it take a couple of weeks. 

1. Understand, though, that the letter you receive will be via email, because the benefits letter does have a "signature," but it is simply an electronic paste job.

THAT'S OKAY THOUGH.  The State Department is well aware of how the other agencies are doing their signatures these days.  So, just print out a COLOR copy of the "signed" benefits verification letter (from either SSA or DFAS) and send it to the State Department with an Apostille Request. 

1. State Department seems to have a way to verify these signatures, as they did send us an Appropriate Apostille for the docs we sent them.

Don't worry about asking for help.  It took me several weeks and much head-knocking (my own head against the wall) before I figured out this process.  No one writes it down anywhere...you just have to find the right telephone answerer who understands how the process works to get the answer.

1. Or, you ask another Expat for how they did it RECENTLY. 
2. The key word is RECENTLY...as I've come to understand that every government has a GENERAL process for citizens to obtain Apostille'd documents, and the receiving countries to approve those documents.
3. BUT IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE PROCESS IS DIFFERENT EVERY SINGLE TIME SOMEONE DOES IT.
4. Some of that is due to changes in laws. Most of it is due to changes in office procedures...
5. But SOME of it is just getting different opinion from whomever is answering your phone call or email that particular day and time. 

If you've never learned patience in life before...applying for residency and/or naturalization will teach it to you for sure.   There's something to be said for the "manana" culture, after all. 

Best to you, and hope this helped,

Jim

ExpatRusher 

Is this for the US side or DR side needed?

A big thanks to all for the advice on and off forum. Here's what I ended up doing -- FWIW, with a big YMMV -- as others noted, things keep changing and different people have different situations.

The main takeaway is that I personally would never try to do this without a lawyer because some problems are too unexpected and the solutions are not always intuitive. No need to read the rest of this long post unless you have an interest in the specifics.

--------------------------------

The ultra-detailed TL;DR version:

I tried a different local Social Security office, and I asked to speak to a manager. I now realize that speaking to a manager is essential; most level-1 support folks are just too unaware of this issue. Someone suggested trying the Miami office as they're more likely to have some international experience; I didn't end up doing that but it seems like good advice.

The local SSA manager bent over backwards to try to help, but between us the best we were able to produce was a signature without letterhead or a letterhead without signature. I sent the best option for apostille by the US State Department, with a cover letter and some more documentation, and will hope for the best but am not holding my breath.

I almost didn't ask my Dominican lawyer (Lishali Baez 👍👍) about this at all, because to me it looked like a US challenge not a DR challenge. But she came up with a work-around that I never would have thought of in a million years. (In fact, it was so outside the box *I* was thinking in that I had to take her email to the official in question, point to it, and say "can you do this thing?" rather than trying to explain it myself.) After that, it was easy. I can't be more specific than that because it would qualify as "legal work product" which I'm contractually committed not to share. But the takeaway is: it's always worth asking; these guys (well, the Lishali-level ones anyway) know a ton of stuff, and even if they say "no, not my area" you haven't lost anything.

I'm semi-convinced now that there really IS a thing at Social Security where they can't produce official signed documents. Put it in the "seems nuts / is what is" pile. My advice would be that if you need the SSA for anything, (1) contact a local office and (2) don't hesitate to ask for a manager. The national phone line seems nearly useless -- wait times for me (I called twice) were 3.5 hours and 4 hours (they do have an option where you can ask for a callback); the first person promised and didn't deliver, the second just flat refused. Also, re the local office, (3) go in person if possible, so you can negotiate/adjust if necessary rather than waiting for another phone/mail cycle. Apparently all Social Security offices now require an appointment in advance; there are no more walk-ins.

I'm a 4-5 hour round trip commute from the nearest government offices and (IMO) reliable post offices. That's why I put the State Department apostille through too instead of relying 100% on Lishali's solution -- it would have cost too much time and $ to wait and follow up later. Also, with the current mayhem in the US federal workforce, it seems better to get stuff into the pipeline asap. Probably silly but spending the extra bucks for more peace of mind was worth it to me.

So I'm back on track and limping toward the finish line again. This is what worked and didn't work for me in the USA in February 2025. FWIW, YMMV, etc. Thanks again to all who helped!

Why is there a law in the DR that you cannot share legal advice from a lawyer?  Just asking for a friend...

I dont think there is any such law.

Hi all

I just have processed the s/s benefits statement

A) In the social security website apply for the statement in Spanish

B) Notarized the benefits statement

c) In your state you need to go the state office in person fill an application and paid $20.00 with in five minutes you will have your S/S benefits statement apostille

@wondering9

Trying to stay from US politics but your right. Currently it's a challenge amongst most US government agencies. I would image longer wait times for most government requests, and activities dealing with imgration request of anytype is my opinion. Good luck!

I dont think there is any such law. - @planner

It was mentioned above that a poster could not share what a lawyer told them in this thread about SSA payments and the issues that one can face with verification letters.  That was one reason for the question.  I have other examples where a lawyer whined about my using information they provided me and told me I had to remove it from posts on line.  That is why I wondered.

@planner

I would guess that it is part of the services agreement with your lawyer. 

They don't want expats "selling on" their ideas to other expats or perhaps to other DR lawyers in competition.

Seems a reasonable part of the agreement --  a few expats have indeed gone through the Residency processes, (then if they had language skills) turned around and helped a few other expats for reimbursement.  Just a little side hustle, which generally might last for about a year until the process or Ministey changes.   But it's plain intellectual theft. 

If you want to have an excellent immigration lawyer in the DR, they need to be able to make a decent living.  Don't begrudge fees to the good ones. 

ExpatRusher,  the whining the lawyer did with regards to a post I had to remove had nothing to do with the process for getting residency or any other service they would provide.  It was just a simple explanation of a law that many people are unaware of.   

Now back to the trials and tribulations of expats and the SSA.  So far no issues for me in that regard. 

@windeguy

Exactly!

@ExpatRusher

But that isn't a law, that's a private agreement and very different

Why is there a law in the DR that you cannot share legal advice from a lawyer? Just asking for a friend... - @windeguy

If you're referring to my post, I never said there was a law, I said there was language in my contract with my lawyer.

That language seemed reasonable to me, others may differ (or have different language in their contract) in which case they're free to negotiate on contract language if they want.

But to me it seemed fair. They worked hard to acquire this knowledge and it's how they earn their living so \_(**)_/ why not?