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If you Google "U.S. Embassy Costa Rica", go to that site and look for the link to the "Federal Benefits Unit". There, you'll find a link to a page where you can request a letter that documents your Social Security Benefit. They'll email it to you in a couple of days. You can print out the image they send.

This letter, without having been further validated, will suffice to document your SS income for Costa Rican Immigration, if you're looking to apply for residency.

I've done this before and it's quick and easy.

Hey there!

You can go onto the ssa.gov site, log in, and on the front page for your account, there's a link that reads "Benefit Verification Letter." This is your proof of income letter. I think it also needs to be translated into Spanish before submitting.

Once again, DAVE & MARCIA rise to the floor with clear, concise, and very beneficial information.

Thank you.

When I last needed a confirmation of my Social Security income*, I did it through the U.S. Embassy website (as above). The proof I got from the Embassy came already in Spanish or it was pre-apostilled. So there was no need for further processing.

*2017, I think.

In the USA, the SSA information is now only available online, andno more USPS mailings with the annual statement of benefits will be forthcoming (effective 2025).

A printout of such data may also be retrievable through a local SSA office, though it may have experienced cutbacks (post-DOGE) in locations,

Brick-and-mortar offices nd require a reservation for an appointment [be prepared for a long wait!].

Individuals must set up an account, w/password, on the SSA website, (if they have NOT already done so].

The process has become digitized at:聽 ssa.gov , with the link on page one to "Benefit Verification Letter" [as indicated in this thread above].

The self-same information is available through ID.me, should one possess such an account, in the USA.

One would have to check w/the US Embassy in Pavas to see if the older process still obtains re.: proof of SSA income [as referenced in the above thread].

If one STILL resides in the USA, t would be prudent and beneficial to have the entire document (both English and Spanish translation) notarized by a notary public commissioned in a county in your state, witnessed by two persons [in the USA] and signed by you.

ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport will likely be required.

Some states (like Nevada) even require a right thumb print in the notary register.

All these things pertaining to notarization must be done SIMULTANEOUSLY and in the PRESENCE of the NOTARY, along with the two witnesses and signator, and signed and dated at the same time.

As far as I know, this document need not receive an "Apostille" from SSA, unlike one's FBI record from FBI HQ in DC or one's official birth record from the state department of health or bureau of records in your state capital that must be presented for "Apostille" seal by the state Secretary of State in the Capitol of one's respective state.

I have never seen any indication of a requirement for a "pre-Apostille" seal for SSA documentation of income/annual awards letter or bank statements.

Just the fact that everything must be translated into Spanish to be accepted.

PERHAPS some knowledgeable person can answer THIS QUESTION?

Must the TRANSLATION and NOTARIZATION of the SSA Awards letter be done in CR by a notary/attorney, -OR- can it be done in the States and appended to the packet for permanent residency application (or another reason)?

Sorry about the typos, but you get the point.

Speaking of DOGE, the SSA intended to make all Social Security beneficiaries communicate with the agency through "X," the platform formerly known as TWITTER.

I hope that scheme was rolled back...

Also, to "tie a bow" on it, documents cannot be notarized in the USA unless all parties are physically present at the聽 same time and act as signatories to the document on the same date and place: the Notary Public; the petitioner; and the two (2) witnesses over 18-years-of-age with proofs of identity (or known personally to the notary).

In my state, every attorney is a notary upon passage of the bar; most real estate offices have a notary; some pharmacies and public libraries; almost every bank.

In my state, a notary may charge of fee of $2.50 to perform the service; must record the "transaction" in a journal [as of 2025]; and keep the "hard copy" of the register for ten (10) years.

A "home visit" can be made, and that can be accompanied by a fee of up to $250.00.

[Some notaries charge nothing for their services as a "professional courtesy"].

All notaries are licensed in my state by a state-wide test and they may renew their commission after four years.

I am sure that the requirements and terms vary from state-to-state.

If a person requires the services of a notary, I hope that this information might prove to be of some practical assistance.

Those USC who have not registered for the Department of State's free STEP program should consider doing so online.

Here follows today's message:

Location: Worldwide

Event: The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East. There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution. Please read carefully our Travel Advisory, country information, and any recent security alerts when planning travel at

NOTE: prior messages include warnings on increased crime in certain areas in CR and the activity around the Poas Volcano, for instance.

The free service allows one to be tracked while overseas and offers contact information for next-of-kin.

@gst1212

My residency service did it all for me... I was never present for any of the apostille or notary processes... I was already in CR and my service was in the USA.聽 Again... I was not physically present.

This is coming from my REAL experience and not some late night 'research' on the internet machine.

Again... gst1212...聽 bad info.

@ rainmaker

As a "serial expat" with six+ years, you add leaven to the conversation.

@Coladas/@Sandsagedweller gave no indication whether he was residing the USA or in C.R,

I predicated my response based on someone residing in the USA, not in C.R.

The indication contained in his first post suggested that his wife and he were exploring the possibility of a rentista vista.

I am glad to hear that you had a positive experience with a residency service in the USA.

Making a specific recommendation or range of recommendations for an interested party who posed the two questions above might prove to be helpful.

Some services are reputed to be "sketchy" in terms of what they charge, the amount of time that the client waits,聽 and the benefits that accrue to the client (or lack of the same).

Since you indicated your a positive experience with your residency service, perhaps you might provide a link or a recommendation.

I posed a fair question, to which you supplied a partially complete answer:

PERHAPS some knowledgeable person can answer THIS QUESTION?

Must the TRANSLATION and NOTARIZATION of the SSA Awards letter be done in C.R. by a notary/attorney? -OR- Can it be done in the States and appended to the packet for permanent residency application (or another reason)?

I repeat for anyone who wishes to respond:

Does a "Social Security Awards Letter" require an Apostille seal?:

If so, by whom or by what entity?

Does the document have to be notarized?

If so, along with the Spanish translation?

I am glad that you had a positive experience, and did not encounter a charlatan.

Not everyone chooses to use a residency service in the U.S, and some cannot afford the thousands of dollars that such services require.

Then, others exist who have no interest of becoming a "permanent resident," and are content to "stamp out" every 180-days on聽 tourist visa, and pay their own way with health insurance and private health care, thereby avoiding the "CaJA.'

Official activities in Costa Rica which involve presentation of any legal documents which are not originally issued in Spanish require that those documents be translated into Spanish by an approved translator. Not just any Spanish speaker can satisfy this requirement.

The legal process know as "apostilling" must be done by the Office of the Great Seal which is part of each U.S. state's Department of State. They verify that the document in question is valid. And they can only apostille their own state's documents. That is, regardless where you now live, you must obtain your new birth certificate from the state in which you were born. Same for all other state-issued documents. I don't see a role for any notary public either in the U.S. or here in Costa Rica.

Documents which are to be submitted in an application for legal residency must have been issued, and apostilled, within six months of the date of submission.

Above, you asked, "Must the TRANSLATION and NOTARIZATION of the SSA Awards letter be done in C.R. by a notary/attorney? -OR- Can it be done in the States and appended to the packet for permanent residency application (or another reason)?"

No notarization is involved.

Translation of any official document requires that it be in Spanish. If it is in another language like (say) English, then it must be translated into Spanish by an approved Spanish language translator. That person need NOT be an attorney. That approved Spanish language translator must be approved by the Costa Rican government.

When we last got a SS verification letter from the Federal Benefits Unit at the Embassy in Pavas (Costa Rica), it met all the requirements imposed by the Costa Rican government. No translation, notarization or apostlle was required.

@Dave&Marcia

You emerge, once again, as the consummate professionals, and "the 'source authoritative reference'" for comple xC.R. immigration matters (apologies to Art Fleming and to Don Pardo of "JEOPARDY").

Your clear, concise, direct, and positive information serves a tremendous purpose for interested inquirers on this site.

So refreshing...

Hi everyone!

Some recent posts were removed because they weren鈥檛 constructive and didn鈥檛 contribute positively to the discussion.

We appreciate all contributions but kindly ask that everyone keeps their comments helpful and respectful.

Regards

Bhavna

@Bhavna

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