How to obtain the document
Instantly via a personal my Social Security account (https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount; foreign-address users can register with ID.me), or by phone 1-800-772-1213 (mailed within 10 business days to the address on file). For foreign-government requests, SSA's Office of International Operations (Translation and Priority Workload Unit, P.O. Box 17759, Baltimore, MD 21235-7759) can prepare a letter with the official SSA seal affixed (POMS GN 03305.040).
Why it goes to the U.S. Department of State
travel.state.gov lists Social Security Administration documents among federal documents handled by the Office of Authentications.
Format the Office of Authentications accepts
Needs an original SSA official signature and seal to meet DOS requirements; the self-printed my Social Security letter does not show a signature/seal on the pages opened, so request the sealed letter from SSA's Office of International Operations or a field office when an apostille is needed.
Filing the request
- Keep the document unaltered
Do not notarize it, write on it or remove staples. Originals or agency-certified copies only.
- Complete Form DS-4194
Name the destination country for each document. Download DS-4194.
- Pay $20 per document
Check or money order payable to ‘U.S. Department of State’ by mail; card at the counter.
- Mail or hand-deliver
Mail: U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, 44132 Mercure Cir., PO Box 1206, Sterling, VA 20166-1206. Walk-in: Office of Authentications, 600 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, Drop-off and pick-up 7:30-9:00 a.m., Monday-Thursday, no appointment needed; processing about 7 business days. Max 15…
- Allow for processing
Mail-in: up to 5 weeks from receipt (tracking 'delivered' at the Sterling PO box does not mean processing has started; package takes several days to reach DC). Walk-in: about 7 business days.
Common reasons for rejection
- Self-printed online benefit letter lacking an original signature and SSA seal.
- Notarized copy of an SSA letter.
Practical notes
- Written consent is required before SSA releases benefit information to a foreign agency.
- Mexico has special rules (Spanish translation and Mexican consular authentication) per POMS.
Non-Hague destinations
For countries outside the Hague Convention the office issues an authentication certificate rather than an apostille, and the document must then be legalized at the destination's embassy or consulate in Washington. See embassy legalization.
Frequently asked questions
Can my state apostille a Social Security Letter?
No. Only the U.S. Department of State authenticates federal signatures. A state can apostille a notarized copy, but many destinations will not accept that in place of the federal apostille on the original.
How much is the federal apostille fee?
$20 per document, payable to the U.S. Department of State. The fee is charged even if the request is returned unprocessed.
How long does it take?
Mail-in: up to 5 weeks from receipt (tracking 'delivered' at the Sterling PO box does not mean processing has started; package takes several days to reach DC). Walk-in: about 7 business days.
Should I notarize it first?
No. Notarizing a federal document makes it invalid for authentication at the Office of Authentications.
