Apostille of Social Security verification

I did some research and found out that I could actually purchase ($48.00) a "Certified" copy of my SS verification letter. I confirmed with the Texas Secretary of State (my state of residence)that they will Apostille the "certified copy". You can go online and get the application form. (form SSA-3288) You have to submit and pay for the completed form at your local SS office. They forward it to your regional office and the regional office will process and mail it directly back to you. Initially, the locals said there was no such thing, but be persistent and make them do their homework. Good luck!

Will do.
I went through all of this when I got my cedula from Costa Rica.
A shame I PROBABLY cannot use what I got for CR for Ecuador.
THANKS

Ray, if I am not mistaken we had all our documents apostilized here in Ecuador. Can anyone else confirm this option?

fdmcg wrote:

Ray, if I am not mistaken we had all our documents apostilized here in Ecuador. Can anyone else confirm this option?

Frank,
Do you remember how you got it done? I looked on the US Embassy in Quito website last night and it said they do not do apostilles.
Another option is to have it done commercially by an apostille service at about $200 per document. I guess that would be acceptable in an emergency. That is if one document was the only thing standing in the way but to have all docs done that way could run into some cash.

The local Social Security office is only about 5 min from where I live so I should get my lazy a** over there and discuss it with those folks. Lol

Ray, as I recall we had the documents apostilized by a local notary. I dont recall the cost per document however am sure it was not $200. Someone on this forum should have updated information.

Look online for where you can get something aposttiled.  Just got ours done in Chicago for $3.00 Yes three dollars.  Also if you are going to pay alot why not pay someone to do all your paperwork for you.  For around $600 dollars you can have someone do all the paperwork for you.  Apostilled, translated, and done right. Just a thought.  Our blog goes into a little detail about what you need done.  http://www.atruetalltale.wordpress.com

Luna, does the $600 include obtaining the visa or only document translation/apostilized?

fdmcg wrote:

Luna, does the $600 include obtaining the visa or only document translation/apostilized?

How do I get in touch with Luna?

Ray, see if you can contact him on his blog (see address above) or send him a PM.

Ok I see now. I hadn't seen that post . Thanks.

Luna2 wrote:

Look online for where you can get something aposttiled.  Just got ours done in Chicago for $3.00 Yes three dollars.  Also if you are going to pay alot why not pay someone to do all your paperwork for you.  For around $600 dollars you can have someone do all the paperwork for you.  Apostilled, translated, and done right. Just a thought.  Our blog goes into a little detail about what you need done.  http://www.atruetalltale.wordpress.com

Some how I  Missed seeing your post. Thanks I'll be in touch by pm.

Ray

fdmcg, you wrote the "address above."
There are no addresses "above."
We either have different screens or live on different planets.
Also I understand that one is allowed only FIVE private messages, so it would be nice to get an email address when necessary.
Also with one's email, one can save a copy of what one sent.

Barbara, see Luna's posting "above" of earlier today. We all have the same screen. I am not aware of a limitation of private messages and I have sent more than 5. You can save a copy of PM's sent and received. Lastly, most individuals including myself prefer not to publish email addresses to cut down on spam.

fdmcg, there is a website address in his last email on my screen, not an email address.
Sorry.
Thanks anyway.
Barb

Yes only the documentation and the translation for both of us. She got all our documents apostilled then translated them and those  apostilled also. It was to much for us to get everything apostilled from the states since all our documents were from diffrent states. We paid someone else to do the visa for us.  I dont want to promote a business on this site, thats not what its for but I can send you info if you want.

Luna, as I understand you had all the documents for the two of you translated and apolostized in Ecuador. This would be easier for Ray vs trying to do each in the USA.

I'm planning to fly either 11 or 12  Feb , I'm flying on a Buddy Pass from Delta so it really depends  on which flight I can get on since it is on a space-a basis. I'm fortunate that my sister works for Delta . So I hope to accomplish it all while in Ecuador.

Apostille -- is a confirmation from your state 9or the state where the document is issued) that is legal and an be recognized internationally as such... Years ago the USA entered into a treaty with a group of other nations, which included Ecuador, to recognize each others documents such as vital stats, marriage and divorce documents, school transcripts, diplomas, police reports.  And then the USA Federal government gave the State government permission to sign off on behalf of the USA Federal governments behalf -- and that is what APOSTILLE (a French word) means...

By the way -- you cannot legally have something notarized in Ecuador any place but the USA Consulate or Embassy -- The reason is that a Notary is sworn to notarize ONLY in their home state, so if they are signing a document while here in Ecuador (which is obviously NOT their home state) they are doing so illegally.  They can lose their license and be brought up on charges of criminal perjury plus what they signed is found invalid... not something you want to occur in a foreign country. 

Some things to keep in mind as you get your paperwork in order.

Susan

I haven't tried it, but I know some have used this service to get something notarized in the U.S. without ever leaving Cuenca.

https://notary.signnow.com/

So far I have apostilles on 4 documents , birth and marriage certificates and two background checks. Still have to get  my Social Security income verification notarized and apostilled .

Interesting link

And no doubt they are notarizing signatures based on statements made by people sending documents -- but they are only claiming that they are sending secured information and conforming to current Federal electronic signature statutes -- nothing about affirmations.

If it were me -- I would just head over to the Guayaquil and the consular office or Quito.  Why take a chance?

I went to Guayaquil to get a document notarized for vitalcheck.org who needed it for a birth certificate request. The notary cost 50 bucks, the hotel another 50 and the roundtrip was 30 bucks.

If I had to do over again I would try that online service which I am told costs 10 bucks. Worst case scenario Vitalchek tells me that the notary is no good and then I go to Guayaquil. So, I suppose it depends on the circumstance.

Hi Luna,
Could you send the info on where to get DOCS apostilled in Ecuador and translated?  I am new at posting and just signed up to Expat.com.... I don't know if I am sending you a pm or a post yet...lol
Thanks for any help you offer.

Ecuabound wrote:

Hi Luna,
Could you send the info on where to get DOCS apostilled in Ecuador and translated?  I am new at posting and just signed up to Expat.com.... I don't know if I am sending you a pm or a post yet...lol
Thanks for any help you offer.

Luna's latest post on this thread is about four years old, so Luna may not be paying attention now.

As for getting documents apostilled in Ecuador -- if they're originally issued in North America, forget it.

They have to be apostilled by the state, provincial, local or national government that issued the original document.

Google apostille service if you want to find a US-based company to which you can send the document from Ecuador .. if you don't mind spending the big bucks for custom service.

The less expensive route from Ecuador is to arrange to send each document to the originating government agency or state along with payment -- and in some cases, a SASE.

The U.S. Embassy in Quito can provide notary service for U.S.-generated documents.  That is different from apostille service, however, so apparently is not what you need.

All translations should be done in Ecuador.  If you use an attorney or visa facilitator, as most Expat visa-seekers do, this professional will be able to provide access to a translator.

cccmedia in Quito

I have herad that the apostille service is available only in the Secretary of states, it cannot be done on a US Consulate

James Caj wrote:

I have herad that the apostille service is available only in the Secretary of states, it cannot be done on a US Consulate

The above post has to be taken apart for clarity and accuracy....

The back end is accurate for documents issued in the U.S. or by one of the 50 states.  Consulates and embassies do not apostille such documents -- a federal or state agency does.  In the case of a birth certificate or marriage-related certificate, a local agency may apostille.

What this poster calls the "Secretary of states" refers to the office of one of 50 state 'secretaries of state' or -- in the case of a federal document such as an FBI background check -- the office of Secretary of State of the United States in Washington. 

A drivers license would be certified by a state DMV and -- for many states -- be apostilled in the originating state by one of the 50 secretaries of state.

cccmedia in Quito

Secretary of State in Washington DC.  Can you tell me how you got the letter?  What is the process?  I have to do the same but just requested SS payments.  Can I request the letter before receiving payments?