Apostille on document

[Wayne]

In order to apply for an USA Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (which is required for a spouse of a USA Citzen filing a joint income tax return.) A certified copy of a Ukrainian citzen's external passport with APOSTILE is required.

Does anyone have experience with obtaining this APOSTILE on documents in Ukraine?

If so, hold difficult is it? Cost? Time? Bribes? etc?

The problem is she is still in Ukraine and cannot get a SSN until after she enters US.

Otherwise, I may have to file for an extension of time to file an income tax return. Of course, if I have a refund coming, it would be delayed.

[dbneeley]

In order to apply for an USA Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (which is required for a spouse of a USA Citzen filing a joint income tax return.) A certified copy of a Ukrainian citzen's external passport with APOSTILE is required.

Does anyone have experience with obtaining this APOSTILE on documents in Ukraine?

If so, hold difficult is it? Cost? Time? Bribes? etc?

The problem is she is still in Ukraine and cannot get a SSN until after she enters US.

Otherwise, I may have to file for an extension of time to file an income tax return. Of course, if I have a refund coming, it would be delayed.

It really shouldn't be an issue at all. If she is still in the FSU and has not yet immigrated to the States, she does not qualify as a dependent for income tax purposes. At least, that is what I was told when I inquired a few years ago now.

One place to inquire would be your local IRS taxpayer assistance office. The one in Dallas was extremely helpful to me in answering a few questions when I was there this past August. If you have a CPA, he or she would also be able to find the answer quickly.

Do check, though, because I have seen cases where the IRS may actually give different answers to different people asking the same question--they are by no means infallible.

However, I am relatively sure you won't be able to declare her or file jointly with her until she enters the U.S. to join you--at which time she will have an SSN soon thereafter and it won't be an issue.

David

[mendeleyev]

David, he can claim her but it's not an uncomplicated process.

An Apostille is a sort of "Super Notary" as defined by the Internation Hague Conventions. It is obtained by a representative of the head of state of a country or a region (like a USA state or Canadian province). In the USA an apostille is issued by the Secty of State of each individual state.

For claiming your wife on the taxes you'll need an ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

(From the IRS website)...This is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who do not qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN). It is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number "9", formatted like an SSN (NNN-NN-NNNN).

To obtain an ITIN, you must complete IRS Form W-7, IRS Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (PDF) . The Form W-7 requires documentation substantiating foreign/alien status and true identity for each individual. You may either mail the documentation, along with the Form W-7, to the address shown in the Form W-7 Instructions, present it at IRS walk-in offices, or process your application through an Acceptance Agent authorized by the IRS.

Form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf

In the case of an individual who lives abroad and who is filing Form W-7 with the IRS to apply for an ITIN, instead of attaching his/her original passport, national identity card, birth certificate, etc. to Form W-7, he/she can attach "copies" of these documents to Form W-7 accompanied by an apostille properly signed or sealed by one of the appointed competent authorities of his/her own nation.

The IRS will accept copies of original documents, if the copies have been properly certified or notorized by the government agency (foreign or domestic) which issued the documents,
employees of the U.S. State Department located in U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, or a U.S. notary public who is allowed under U.S. state law to notarize foreign documents.


God forbid for some reason she doesn't arrive (and there is a time limit to an ITIN) on time or at all. Getting this "undone" can take years.

[Wayne]

Thanks to the people who replied. I understand the IRS material and forms, as I already printed all this information out. And yes, it seems to me that as joint tax return is possible in our case as we have already mixed our finaces together and lived together.

I had the apostile attached to documents from USA that I took to Ukraine.  The apostile only costs $1 in Michigan. If you send the documents in the mail it takes about 6 weeks, but if you go in person to certain S. of S. offices you can get it done right away.  Certified and notarized copies are obtained from the County Clerks office. It think it was $1 per page for the copies plus the extra charges.

However, what I asked in the first place is about the APOSTILE process in Ukraine.

Has anyone actually done this?

What is the cost? Time? Difficulty? Brige amount? etc

[Wayne]

I found some information, but the websites appear to be only in Ukrainian language. Can anyone help translate for me?

Apostille in Ukraine
Please contact the following offices/authorities in Ukraine wher an apostille may be granted..


Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on documents issued by judicial authorities and courts, including documents certified by Ukraine's notaries;

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine

Postal address: M.Kotsiubinsky st., 12 (“University” Metro Station) Kyiv, 01000
Phone: (+38-044) – 235-40-83
Website: www.minjust.gov.ua
Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine on official documents issued by the bodies for education, state authorities, establishments and organisations, related to education and science;
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
Pobedy Av., 10, Kyiv, 01135
Tel: (+38-044) – 216-22-35
URL: www.mon.gov.ua
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on all other documents.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine:

Velyka Zhitomirska st., 2, Kyiv, 01018
Tel: (+38-044) – 238-16-69
E-mail: cons_vld#mfa.gov.ua , cons_sld#mfa.gov.ua
Wesbite: www.mfa.gov.ua
Useful Links: http://www.ukraineinfo.us/consular/legal.html

[ConnerVT]

I don't visit as here as often as I used to, so forgive me for not knowing everybody's story.

I'll assume you are waiting for your wife's K-3 visa.  Once she gets the visa, she is eligible to receive a SS number.

If you are looking for a way to put her on your 2010 Income Tax Returns, you may just consider either filing for an extension (if her arrival is imminent), or to file as Single, then file an amended return later.  Both would be easier than dealing with getting her an ITIN.

[mendeleyev]

Try these, too:

http://www.apostilleinfo.com/ukraine.htm

http://www.ukraine-translation.com/ukrainian-translation-apostille.html

http://www.april.com.ua/en/leg.html

 
As you ready thru sites the word Apostille is АПОСТИЛЬ (to help as you're scanning pages). Документи is a term (plural) for documents.

Wayne, I'm not fluent in Ukrainian but will tell you that one paragraph confused me so although I've done my share of Apostille documents in Russia, Ukraine may have some differences in protocol and you might wish to get your lady involved in the process.

Here is what puzzled me: An Apostille is NOT placed on documents issued by foreign diplomatic institutions of Ukraine, administrative documents for commercial or customs operations, as well as originals, copies and photocopies of passport documents, military flight, work books, permits to bear arms, the registration of vehicles, identity cards, regulations, addendums and legal conclusions. (Originally in Ukrainian at http://www.minjust.gov.ua/0/7743)

The good news is that you already have the correct addresses and phone numbers from your previous post. Perhaps your lady can do the local research...and Ukrainian translation.

[BC]

Here is what puzzled me: An Apostille is NOT placed on documents issued by foreign diplomatic institutions of Ukraine, administrative documents for commercial or customs operations, as well as originals, copies and photocopies of passport documents, military flight, work books, permits to bear arms, the registration of vehicles, identity cards, regulations, addendums and legal conclusions. (Originally in Ukrainian at http://www.minjust.gov.ua/0/7743)

Might be related....

When we married, since I was living in italy, I took a 'free to marry' letter to the US consulate and had it notarized.  Once notarized I was able to take it to the Italian apostille authority to have the apostille applied for use outside the country.

So someone getting  "documents issued by foreign diplomatic institutions of Ukraine" would likely have to do the same as I did.

[Wayne]

I think I will have to send in the form for a six months extension for filing income taxes. Wife and Daughter should be in USA and have there ssn's by then. The only thing is when they go for the visa interview at the US Embassy they will want to see a copy of my tax returns. So I guess I will fill out the returns with copies of W2, 1099's etc and write a letter explaining the extension.

Other documents, such as diplomas and transcripts from several universities we would want to get this apostille on.  Wife attended universities in both Ukraine and Russia (when it was USSR). I guess that complicates things?

[dbneeley]

Other documents, such as diplomas and transcripts from several universities we would want to get this apostille on.  Wife attended universities in both Ukraine and Russia (when it was USSR). I guess that complicates things?

Unless I am badly mistaken, the apostille is useless for university transcripts. Graduate schools and professional licensing bodies use organizations set up to verify transcripts and to figure out the equivalency of courses taken in other countries as they compare to any required courses in the U.S.

For physicians, the foreign medical school involved must also be recognized by the appropriate UN health organization. I do not know about other kinds of professions such as engineers, to give one example.

The apostille is a form of international recognition, much as a notary seal for domestic consumption. However, again as with notary seals, it is not necessary for many purposes.

As far as transcripts are concerned, in the FSU the record of coursework is a small book in which the courses and results of those courses are entered and signed off on. Every graduate has one, and they are often referred to. My wife had trouble understanding what my university transcript was at first, and wondered where my own booklet was. It took some persuading that the U.S. institutions often use transcripts like mine--a computer printout of course names, numbers, and grades on a document containing the requisite seal.

David

[Wayne]

I have seen the little grade book. There is another thread a while ago about transcripts. Several of the women responded to that thread.

[ML]

As far as transcripts are concerned, in the FSU the record of coursework is a small book in which the courses and results of those courses are entered and signed off on. Every graduate has one, and they are often referred to.
David

Again, some differences must exist.  A Ukrainian woman I am helping with coming to USA for study does not have any such 'small book.'

Instead, she has a document very much like the transcript of courses common to universities in USA.

And, unless I am mistaken, in the other thread Lily and Mies indicated they had transcripts very similar to USA types, albeit in another language.

[Lily]

Educational diplomas are the documents which are, in my opinion, the most frequent things to undergo the apostile process. Mine are still being apostiled in Rosobrnadzor in Russia, while I am here in Toronto

The World Educational Service in the USA, evaluator, requires the apostiled educational documents.

As far as transcripts are concerned, in the FSU the record of coursework is a small book in which the courses and results of those courses are entered and signed off on. Every graduate has one, and they are often referred to. 

The small book with courses and results belongs not to a graduate, but to a current student. A graduate has a diploma with inserted transcripts. A student has this book, which, after having passed all the required courses, is to surrender in exchange for the diploma with transcript.

[dbneeley]

The small book with courses and results belongs not to a graduate, but to a current student. A graduate has a diploma with inserted transcripts. A student has this book, which, after having passed all the required courses, is to surrender in exchange for the diploma with transcript.

Perhaps I should explain to my wife that she apparently did it wrong. However, as she graduated from medical school more than 25 years ago, I suspect it may be too late.

David

[Wayne]

Daughter is a university student and has the little book. Wife has diplomas from a university in Ukraine and two universities in Russia. She worked as a Professor at a university in Ukraine, although she stopped doing that because of the low pay. However, once they get to USA and see that a college Professor in America actually gets a decent pay, perhaps she will want to pursue it.

Lily, thanks for the information.

[dava]

My sister had to get documents apostille and translated in the United States. She lived far from the state office, so she had an agency do it 'cause they had to be certified translated as well. They specifically asked for a certified translator that work with the embassy. She ended up doing with some company called Apostille Pros www.apostillepros.com
Translation and apostille in the United States.

If you have documents originate in Russia, I believe you have to get it done there.

In order to apply for an USA Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (which is required for a spouse of a USA Citzen filing a joint income tax return.) A certified copy of a Ukrainian citzen's external passport with APOSTILE is required.

Does anyone have experience with obtaining this APOSTILE on documents in Ukraine?

If so, hold difficult is it? Cost? Time? Bribes? etc?

The problem is she is still in Ukraine and cannot get a SSN until after she enters US.

Otherwise, I may have to file for an extension of time to file an income tax return. Of course, if I have a refund coming, it would be delayed.

[Aleksandr_2005]

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