2015 - anybody in the Ecuador visa pipelines?

AMDG wrote: I obtained my residency in Jan 2015……a problem I had was with the new FBI requirement…….what finally worked for me was to have my local/state police report to mention the databases searched which included the FBI……..once I submitted this, my application was accepted.

I am finally ready to jump into/onto the "pipeline". I'll be leaving Minnesota in the coldest time of year (late January) so I've started planning when to start what. AMDG, I'm glad to hear that the state police report which included the FBI search worked for you. The FBI informed me yesterday that their background check is taking 12 weeks on average. Then to add another 1-2 weeks for the Sec. of State to apostille...and at least 2 weeks to account for mailing back and forth, I would have to start today to get the fingerprint card sent to the FBI.

When we have our State BCA do background checks for employees, they include the FBI search, so I know it's possible. The office here told me that I can get the BG on a walk-in basis & get it the same day. Then I can walk over to the Sec. of State here for the apostille. I can do the same for my Driving Record and have all the Minnesota stuff processed easily. My birth certificate is from a different state and will take a little longer, but not much.

I'm having everything, birth certificate, background checks, divorce papers, driving record apostilled before I leave. I may not need it all, but I want to avoid the hassles of trying to get it done from Ecuador.

AMDG wrote: I obtained my residency in Jan 2015……a problem I had was with the new FBI requirement…….what finally worked for me was to have my local/state police report to mention the databases searched which included the FBI……..once I submitted this, my application was accepted.

I am finally ready to jump into/onto the "pipeline". I'll be leaving Minnesota in the coldest time of year (late January) so I've started planning when to start what. AMDG, I'm glad to hear that the state police report which included the FBI search worked for you. The FBI informed me yesterday that their background check is taking 12 weeks on average. Then to add another 1-2 weeks for the Sec. of State to apostille...and at least 2 weeks to account for mailing back and forth, I would have to start today to get the fingerprint card sent to the FBI.

When we have our State BCA do background checks for employees, they include the FBI search, so I know it's possible. The office here told me that I can get the BG on a walk-in basis & get it the same day. Then I can walk over to the Sec. of State here for the apostille. I can do the same for my Driving Record and have all the Minnesota stuff processed easily. My birth certificate is from a different state and will take a little longer, but not much.

I'm having everything, birth certificate, background checks, divorce papers, driving record apostilled before I leave. I may not need it all, but I want to avoid the hassles of trying to get it done from Ecuador.

Dang nabbit!! I hate it when my work computer logs me in as "coldinminnesota". I keep trying to get rid of that persona, but it follows me like a shadow. Sorry for the double posting. I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the first post.

If the BCA/BG strategy doesn't pan out, use an FBI channeler to speed up the time for getting your FBI report.  The channelers are private middlemen vetted by the Feds.

cccmedia in Quito

cccmedia wrote:

use an FBI channeler to speed up the time for getting your FBI report.  The channelers are private middlemen vetted by the Feds

I asked Eddie at the FBI about using a channeler and he said to make sure that I used one that was "acceptable to the country" I am moving to. I'm sure that there would be an additional fee involved to keep the channeler in business. Being a generally "frugal" person, I'd like to hope that the state/FBI combo report, at $8, would suffice.

I had my local police do a check and write out the data bases……..This was in Jan in Guayaquil and after a few attempts to get my police report accepted……..they finally accepted this……I would most definitely not rely on my experience however…..it seems they have implemented new regs for a few topics like visas and naturalization (citizenship)……
I experienced this when I lost my first resident visa for too much time out of country and tried to give them the same police report I used the past year……..then had to have the new report done again as mentioned above spelling out the data bases examined…….
If I had to do it again, I would try to get an FBI report of some type……..it is much easier to get things correct the first time…….I have had to make trips twice to Peru for overstaying my tourist visas (given 48 hours to leave)……and the problems and time wasted with trying to correct my police report this last time……much, much easier to try and get what they want the first time and ultimately, less expensive…….

And why eventually obtaining citizenship is worth the effort……

AMDG wrote:

If I had to do it again, I would try to get an FBI report of some type……..it is much easier to get things correct the first time…

Good advice, AMDG. I wouldn't want to risk having my background rejected and I have enough time to "get things correct the first time", as you recommend. Thank you for your input! The adventure begins!!

DorothyPeck wrote:

I asked Eddie at the FBI about using a channeler and he said to make sure that I used one that was "acceptable to the country" I am moving to.

I used one of the biggest channelers and highly recommend them -- National Background Check.  They produced my FBI report and delivered it to me online in less than a week.

They have offices in your area.  Look at:

www.nationalbackgroundcheck.com/minneso … ations.htm

877-932-2435 or contactus(at)nationalbackgroundcheck.com

DorothyPeck wrote:

I'm sure that there would be an additional fee involved to keep the channeler in business. Being a generally "frugal" person, I'd like to hope that the state/FBI combo report, at $8, would suffice.

This might be one time to "pay the man the two dollars."

With the FBI already running 12 weeks behind, you're one government shutdown away from this scenario:  The FBI lays off its non-essential personnel ... FBI processing of paperwork for Ecuador-bound applicants grinds to a halt ... and you are sweating out whether you can obtain the report -- and get it apostilled by the State Department -- in time for your trip.  Doing any part of the process from Ecuador would be subject to further delays.

It was due to a delay by the State Department in late 2013 involving an error in processing my FBI-report apostille that my Quito attorney had to get me a non-immigrant visa-extension, to allow me to remain inside Ecuador while the situation was resolved.

National Background Check is already running behind their usual 3-5 day turnaround time, according to their website today, apparently due to the situation at the FBI.  But it's only a marginal delay (total of 5-7 day turnaround.)

It might be worth it for peace of mind to use a channeler.

cccmedia in Quito

Just for giggles, I did a search for Gringo Visas and when I clicked on the link (which was the same as quoted here some time ago) my Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 for Windows denied me access because it detected a virus. The exact message that came up was that there was a "HEUR: Trojan.Script.Iframer". While I do not understand the technical explanation, I do understand to stay away from that website. I wanted to alert others who may not be running anti-virus programs which catch this.

I'm planning to contact Ecuador Visas anyway...Just momentarily forgot which one I really wanted to work with.

DorothyPeck wrote:

HEUR: Trojan.Script.Iframer

HEUR stands for "Heuristics". All anti-virus software uses this mechanism. Basically it does it's best to "estimate" whether there is malware present. Many times it gets it wrong.

The other part to antivirus software is exact virus "signatures". In many cases it is possible to identify a virus exactly because of the virus containing a specific string of characters.

Heuristics is used when no such "signature" exists and/or where a virus has not yet been identified.

So, there is a very good chance the Heuristics got it wrong, but then you would never know for sure.

The only way a Trojan could be implanted into your computer is if your browser contained an exploitable vulnerability (i.e., where you would not be notified that something was trying to install itself on your computer). Normally, you would be prompted to allow something to install. When a message like this appears and you are not expecting to install something click NO or answer the question appropriately.

Well, I'm finally taking the plunge into the "visa pipeline". My arrival in Cuenca has been delayed for multiple reasons, but it's all good. The price of airfare in early March has dropped to half of what I was finding for earlier travel. I'll have to tear myself away from one last winter season in Minnesota to fly out on March 1st, but it will make my arrival in Cuenca all the more sweet by comparison.

I have nearly finished my TEOL certification and have gotten my college transcript & degree verification. Even though I am not applying for a Professional Visa, I will need that documentation to do any teaching on a part-time basis.

I'm holding off on the Federal documentation of background and pension income until we pass the threat of another government shutdown Dec 11th.

I am confused about birth certificates. Does the copy issued by the county of record have to be dated within 60 days? Or does that date refer to the date it was apostilled? Since I was not born in the state I now reside, less than 60 days to get a copy from the county AND get it apostilled by the state of Wisconsin AND have it in my hands before I leave could be tricky. Has anyone run into problems using an older birth certificate with a recent apostille? If I can use the one I have, issued 8 years ago, I should have no problem. That is assuming that Wisconsin Gov. Walker doesn't decide that January would be a great time to close all state offices to "save money". 

DorothyPeck wrote:

My arrival in Cuenca has been delayed for multiple reasons, but it's all good... one last winter season in Minnesota to fly out on March 1st, but it will make my arrival in Cuenca all the more sweet by comparison.

I am confused about birth certificates. Does the copy issued by the county of record have to be dated within 60 days? Or does that date refer to the date it was apostilled? Since I was not born in the state I now reside, less than 60 days to get a copy from the county AND get it apostilled by the state of Wisconsin AND have it in my hands before I leave could be tricky. Has anyone run into problems using an older birth certificate with a recent apostille? If I can use the one I have, issued 8 years ago, I should have no problem.

Dorothy, it's hard to believe you're spending most of the winter in Minnesota ... and taking it so well.

You're going to need official or attorney confirmation about your 60-day apostille issue and whether your birth certificate is of the proper vintage.

Contact your consulate in the Twin Cities or one of these experienced visa experts...

In Quito... attorney Sebastian Cordero ... scordero(at)gcabogados.com
In Guayaquil... facilitator Profesora Dana Cameron ... Dana.Visas(at)gmail.com

  -- cccmedia in Quito

Thank you, cccmedia, for your recommendation. I contacted Sr. Cordero and received a prompt, courteous and through reply from him. Since I am coming alone and do not need to verify my relationship to someone else who will be referenced on my visa, I do not need to have my birth certificate. I'll bring it anyway in case anyone questions my existence, but won't need it for official purposes. 

DorothyPeck wrote:

I contacted Sr. Cordero and received a prompt, courteous and through reply from him. Since I am coming alone and do not need to verify my relationship to someone else who will be referenced on my visa, I do not need to have my birth certificate. I'll bring it anyway in case anyone questions my existence, but won't need it for official purposes. 

Excellent idea to bring that birth certificate, apostilled in advance in possible.

The "Just in Case" rule applies widely in Ecuador.  If there's any possible chance a document might be needed for official business, bring it with you, no matter that somebody said it wouldn't be necessary.

cccmedia in Quito

cccmedia wrote:

Dorothy, it's hard to believe you're spending most of the winter in Minnesota ... and taking it so well

It's the availability of Wisconsin cheese for a few more months, don't you know! 

DorothyPeck wrote:

cccmedia wrote:

Dorothy, it's hard to believe you're spending most of the winter in Minnesota ... and taking it so well

It's the availability of Wisconsin cheese for a few more months, don't you know! 

Plus the Vikings be in first place, headed for the playoffs.  That's why ZenSPIKE went home.

mugtech wrote:

Plus the Vikings be in first place, headed for the playoffs.  That's why ZenSPIKE went home.

It seems I haven't gotten the point across that all NFL games are shown in Ecuador on DirecTV, most of them on the NFL Sunday Ticket.

This year even the Thursday games are televised.

cccmedia in Quito

mugtech wrote:

Plus the Vikings be in first place, headed for the playoffs.  That's why ZenSPIKE went home.

It seems I haven't gotten the point across that all NFL games are shown in Ecuador on DirecTV, most of them on the NFL Sunday Ticket.

This year even the Thursday games are televised.

cccmedia in Quito

cccmedia wrote:

It seems I haven't gotten the point across that all NFL games are shown in Ecuador on DirecTV, most of them on the NFL Sunday Ticket.

We get that, cccmedia. There's still the issue of whether there is enough cheese available to feed a Super Bowl winning fan base! 

Wisconsin natives will probably find the EC cheese scene doesn't measure up to what's available in the U.S. Upper Midwest.

However, MegaMaxi Six supermarket has made big strides in upgrading the cheese offerings in recent years, and -- por amor a Elvis -- the weather here makes up for any queso deficiencies for most folks.

cccmedia at the Expat Cheese Desk in Quito

cccmedia wrote:

mugtech wrote:

Plus the Vikings be in first place, headed for the playoffs.  That's why ZenSPIKE went home.

It seems I haven't gotten the point across that all NFL games are shown in Ecuador on DirecTV, most of them on the NFL Sunday Ticket.

This year even the Thursday games are televised.

cccmedia in Quito

People like ZenSPIKE actually attend the games in person, not exactly the same as the boob tube.

There was some incorrect information posted a while back on this thread about time-out-of-country requirements.

Here is the correct information...

To retain visa rights you may be outside Ecuador for no more than 90 of the initial 365 days after receiving the visa.  At that point, Year 2 starts and again you may be outside EC for no more than 90 of 365 days.

To qualify for citizenship, a permanent-residency visa holder may not be outside Ecuador for more than 90 days total in the three years (the combined three 365-day periods) following obtaining the visa.

A visa holder may not be outside Ecuador for more than a total of 18 months in a five-year period, or else risks losing visa rights. 

A visa holder may petition the Cancillería for an exception to the outside-the-country rule(s).

The main point at issue from the earlier post was the first years' 90-day restriction to retain visa rights.  This has been reported correctly at multiple Internet sites.  You may wish to google Vivatropical.com Ecuador Visa .. to confirm the 90-day information in this post.

cccmedia in Quito

$1550 to apostle translate documents, escort you to register your Visa when you arrive. Plus $350.00 to EC for the Visa.

Banjpplayer2 wrote:

$1550 to apostle translate documents, escort you to register your Visa when you arrive. Plus $350.00 to EC for the Visa.

We have one bid in.  Do I hear $1,500?

At $1550 this is even higher than Gringo Visas' price. I'm holding out for a much more reasonable price from service recommended earlier on this thread.

My husband and I just returned from Ecuador and met with a very knowledgeable EC lawyer and her American husband in Cuenca.  She will entirely process your Residency Visa and Cedula, handling EVERYTHING for a total cost of $1,300. which includes all government fees, including the $350. government application fee.  So in essence she's only charging you $950. Her name is Sara Chaca.  Her phone numbers are (593) 099-296-2065, (593) 074-104-087 and in US it's 800-655-1581. Her website address is: www.ecuadorvisas.com.  I hope this helps.

Birdmama wrote:

My husband and I just returned from Ecuador and met with a very knowledgeable EC lawyer and her American husband in Cuenca.  She will entirely process your Residency Visa and Cedula, handling EVERYTHING for a total cost of $1,300. which includes all government fees, including the $350. government application fee.  So in essence she's only charging you $950. Her name is Sara Chaca.  Her phone numbers are (593) 099-296-2065, (593) 074-104-087 and in US it's 800-655-1581. Her website address is: www.ecuadorvisas.com.  I hope this helps.

Now we have $950, can anyone go $900?

I began communicating with Ecuador Visas and have received very detailed responses to all my questions...plus some through explanations of things I'd not thought to ask. I am impressed. The $950 is proving to be a good value and they offer some additional assistance once in country at no additional cost. However, they do heavily promote the container shipping and health referral services offered through them which do cost more. Bottom line is: this is the service I plan to use.

DorothyPeck wrote:

I began communicating with Ecuador Visas and have received ... some thorough explanations of things I'd not thought to ask.... they offer some additional assistance once in country at no additional cost. However, they do heavily promote the container shipping and health referral services offered through them which do cost more.

If they can refer you to health professional(s) who work well with English-speaking Gringos, that can save you a lot of research and make the transition to Ecuador smoother.  Peace of mind is worth paying a bit more for.

What is an example of an explanation of something you hadn't thought of?

cccmedia in Quito

cccmecia wrote:

What is an example of an explanation of something you hadn't thought of?

Much of the new (to me) information regarded the Social Security Benefits Letter. She informed me that that Benefits Letter no longer needs the Ecuadorian Consulate's Certification, just an Apostille from the US Dept of State.

She added the following: "- For a Pensioner Visa qualification to be met, you need to obtain a "Social Security Benefits Letter" by visiting your local office of the Social Security Administration or Military or other Government office which issues your federal Pension, and this be stamped, signed and name printed LEGIBLY of that local office’s Office Manager or other Office Representative at your local office of Social Security Administration, and then you order an Apostille on this letter from the Department of State in your nation’s capitol (i.e. in Washington DC) in the country of issue."

I wrote to her to clarify this because my local Social Security Office no longer provides this letter, but rather directs people to apply for the letter on line. Her reply was very much to the point: "Finally, a number of clients in the US have at one time or another over the past year or so told me this is what was said by their locally visited Social Security Administration Office (SSA), and ACTUALLY every time thus far that has NOT the case - SIMPLY it is that local SSA Office's desire not to work and do their job..Simply you just need to visit your next closest town's SSA Office to request the letter from them (EXACTLY the way described in my original below message).  I have received HUNDREDS of the EXACTLY CORRECT SSA BENEFITS LETTER from my clients since the October 1st of 2014 claimed stoppage by SSA in the letter you attached for me from them, and so you might be aghast to know that it is SIMPLY THE LACK OF YOUR TOWN'S SSA OFFICE BEING UNWILLING TO WORK (I assure you that you WILL IN FACT BE ABLE to get the correct SSA Benefits letter from another local SSA Office in another town).

I had not asked about the SS Letter, but had told her I was planning to apply for a Pensioner Visa.

She also stressed the importance that if any documents come with "staples" or "hole punch holders" in them, that I NOT REMOVE any of these upon copying or organizing them. Immigration Ministry of Ecuador can and does decline the visa application if they suspect the documents have been in any way "tampered with".

You're getting pretty knowledgeable about this bureaucracy stuff.

Good practice for when you arrive in Ecuador.

cccmedia in Quito

I'm in it with both feet now! I am using National Background Check, Inc., for my FBI background check channeling. Sounds like I'm headed to a seance, doesn't it? I've had the State BG run and had them do a  set of fingerprints for me to send to the FBI. My workplace did the second, backup set.

Getting my Social Security Income Verification letter was a bit of a trial, but only because the first office I visited couldn't handle being asked to do two things at the same visit. After getting my necessary forms to sign up for Medicare B, they dropped me from the queue and I had to rattle some of their cages to get put back on.

I'll be using ecuadorvisaservices.com to handle my in-Ecuador paperwork. Sara Chaca (Ecuador Visa Services) is having me scan and email all forms to her before getting the apostilles. That way we can be sure the forms meet the requirements.

My out-of-pocket costs so far:
Social Security income verification letter $0 (just a half-day wasted )
Minnesota Background Check & fingerprinting: $28
National Background Check (channeler) $95 (that includes $50 for the BG + $35 for UPS 2nd-Day delivery of results + $10 for email of results)
Priority Mail to National Background Check, Inc $6
St Catherine University copy of diploma $50 (I might need it for if I apply for a paid position teaching English)

I will likely take cccmedia's advice to "pay the man the $2" (wish it was only "$2"!!!) and have an Apostille Service handle that part of the federal process once the FBI check comes back. That cost should run $290 for 2 federal forms, but they ship the results to me in 5-8 business days after receiving the forms.

I still need to have Minnesota apostille my 4 forms (@ $18 each) and Wisconsin (another $20) for my birth certificate, but that cost is minimal by comparison and I can visit the offices in person. I'll bring all the actual forms with me and have Sara take care of the translations and notary work. I'm not going to trust international mail to get them there in a timely manner.

Looks like the total in-USA price will roll out to around $570 plus $1300 to Ecuador Visa Services or under $1900 in full to get my cedula. My time is worth more than that, so I'm counting it as a good deal especially since my stress level is already in overdrive getting rid of all my stuff and training my replacement at work!

DorothyPeck wrote:

Looks like the total in-USA price will roll out to around $570 plus $1300 to Ecuador Visa Services or under $1900 in full to get my cedula. My time is worth more than that, so I'm counting it as a good deal especially since my stress level is already in overdrive getting rid of all my stuff and training my replacement at work!

That's the exact right equation ... are your time and stress level worth about $1,900 ?

Nobody can tell a newly-minted Expat whether it will be worth it to them to get professional assistance .. because the process can be so different and complex for some.

These days, getting your visa processed without paid assistance in Cuenca makes sense for many because it's widely and anecdotally said to be easier there due to helpful, bi-lingual staff.

If, like Dorothy, you've got a lot of stuff to get rid of .. or are still working/training-a-replacement at work up to the end, those are compelling factors too.

cccmedia in Quito

This news just received from my attorney at Ecuador Visas:

"As is present in many other countries at this time (including the US and Canada), there is currently in Ecuador a shortfall of funds for the Government budget (i.e. Ecuador is currently selling its oil at a LOSS at this time), and so the Government of Ecuador has effective for 2016 RAISED the Government Fee for the Residency Visa stamp to $550 per Adult person and to $250 per Minor Child (from the previously indicated 2015 level of $350 per Adult person and $0 per Minor Child), and so naturally as that additional Government Fee cost requirement is of course not in my control or knowledge until the Government decides to raise it (which they did in fact just raise the Government fee for this new year of 2016 for all new Residency Visa stamps to be issued to all such persons), please note that the TOTAL All-Inclusive Fee for each Residency Visa will naturally need to be $200 additional per Adult person and $250 additional per Minor Child receiving a Residency Visa stamp (there is however NO ADDITIONAL Government Fee being charged by Ecuador for your Cedula National ID Card itself)."

So be prepared to spend an additional $200 for residency visas above what you were told prior to 2016.

Here's my update:
FBI & Social Security Income letters were sent by USPS Priority Mail ($6.45) to FBI Apostille Services in Washington, DC on 2/3/2016. I received the completed forms with apostilles by FedEx delivery today 2/16/2016. Fees for having two forms done was $290.

I sent my Wisconsin birth certificate along with a prepaid USPS Priority Mail envelope ($12.90 for both ways) to the WI Secretary of State on 2/8/2016. I received that back today delivered by USPS. Fee for having one form done was $35.

Tomorrow I'll go to the Minnesota Secretary of State with all my Minnesota forms. Fortunately it's in my city. The only glitch I had was getting absolutely every little thing required to get my degree registered with SENESCYT. I needed my transcript, copy of my degree (I couldn't find the original) AND a letter indicating whether I did my work online or in person, full-time or part-time and those all needed to be notarized. Even though I am going for the pensioner's visa, I may need the degree registered if I have the opportunity to teach English in a school setting. Fees to have five forms done should be $25.

My philosophy is better to get what I might not need right away than to discover I need it later and have to do it all the hard way. By the way, I'm not going anywhere near the Ecuadorian Consulate for any of this.

I've scanned and emailed all completed forms to my attorney in Cuenca and hope to hear soon that they meet all requirements. Will post again when I hear back.

That was fast!! 

Sara Chaca, Attorney at "Ecuador Visas", has informed me that all three documents and their apostilles are correct.

I believe I have finally obtained all the apostilles I need. I took the extra step of getting my driving record and having that apostilled just in case I wish to drive in Ecuador. My regular license does not expire until June 2019 and by then I should know if I want an Ecuador license. 

Cost for having 5 documents apostilled in Minnesota was $25. My Ecuador attorney is reviewing the stuff and will get back to me if I need to have anything redone. The documents were: State Criminal Background Check, University Degree & transcript, Letter from University, Certified State Driving Record, and my TESL Certification. I may be guilty of overkill here, but I'd rather have taken care of something I don't need than miss something and regret it later.

Thanks to all of you who contributed to this and other threads!! Kudos!! 

DorothyPeck wrote:

Here's my update:
FBI & Social Security Income letters were sent by USPS Priority Mail ($6.45) to FBI Apostille Services in Washington, DC on 2/3/2016.

I wonder if you could go into more detail about the Letter of Income from Social Security.

What was the process to obtain this letter, and how was that handled?  Did SS give the letter to you and then you sent it to be apostilled? And the FBI report as well?

The feds seem to be processing those papers fairly quickly by your description.

Thanks for the update!

gardener1 wrote

I wonder if you could go into more detail about the Letter of Income from Social Security.
What was the process to obtain this letter, and how was that handled?  Did SS give the letter to you and then you sent it to be apostilled? And the FBI report as well?
The feds seem to be processing those papers fairly quickly by your description.

Per the recommendation of my attorney in Ecuador, I went to one of the local SS offices to do two things: sign up for Medicare B and get my income letter. The first part went well, but then they dropped me off the list and I sat for a while wondering when I'd get called. Would have been "never" had I not gone to the Security Officer and asked if I was still listed. Nope! He sent me to a nearby window where the man there promptly issued my income letter. He stamped the name and location of the office then signed and printed his name. Sara Chaca, Attorney at "Ecuador Visas", had informed me that she had seen some SS income letters declined if they did not have the local office and signature on them.  Like with anything else in La Republica it depends on who's in what mood in which office that day! 

I obtained an extra fingerprint card when I had my State Background Check done and had a second card done at work (we have to fingerprint our security personnel). I used National Background and mailed them two sets of fingerprints on Jan 5. The cost was $105. I got an email with my results on Jan 11. The formal document arrived two days later. I did some checking and decided to use FBI Apostille Services as they promised the fastest turn around at a competitive price. The turnaround time would not have been as fast if I had sent things directly to the federal agency myself. The speed was mainly due to my being willing and able to pay someone to shepherd the process.

I sent the original of the SS letter and the FBI report, still sealed in its envelope. Since I have had to continue working full time until today, I didn't want to leave anything to chance and am having Sara review all documents and apostilles before I leave on March 1st.

Hope that answers your questions, gardener1, but feel free to bug me to clarify anything I glossed over.

Super, thanks.

So at the SS office, the official merely signed and stamped the income verification and handed it back to you. Not notarized. And then you sent the unnotarized document to DC for the apostille.

When it returned from DC apostilled what did that look like? I mean was it some kind of sealed document or what made it apostilled? (since I'm assuming the govt no longer uses wax and an impression stamp)

You've been a great help here.