Background check & tax id # or ss # with k1 visa

[Agilucho 0]

My fiance got here to the US about two weeks ago. we are getting married in 2 weeks and are looking for an apartment. The apartment we want requires a background check for both of us and they said she needs a social security number or tax id number for her BR check... What do we do?!

[Dave&Roza 748]

My fiance got here to the US about two weeks ago. we are getting married in 2 weeks and are looking for an apartment. The apartment we want requires a background check for both of us and they said she needs a social security number or tax id number for her BR check... What do we do?!

Go to your local SSA office with her foreign passport that contains the K-1 Visa and I-94 form, and a copy of her birth certificate (just encase) and apply for a SSN. As a K-1 visa holder your fiancee is an legal alien authorized to work with proper authorization from the USCIS (i.e EAD or GC). All this really means is she is eligible for a SSN and since she has already been here for 2 weeks she should be in the SAVE database and getting the SSC should not be a problem if you get the right worker who knows what is going on. If the work says she is not eligible or gives you any kind of grief--1) ask for a supervisor, or 2) if that does not work leave and go to another SSA office.

I would recommend against applying for an ITIN as that is for people NOT eligible for a SSN. It can cause all kinds of problems in the future (and by future I mean when your fiancee applies for social security benefits or whenever the IRS gets around to looking into things--not worth the risk IMHO, but YMMV) Also think about this, they are going to enter a brand new SSN and what is going to come up on the background check?!? I think the apartment is just following the rules that say they must have a SSN when in this case it is not going to do them a bit of good as the number has no credit history. IF it is truely a criminal backgound check they do not need the SSN. If it is a credit check then they do and I would point out to them that you are husband and wife (soon to be) and your credit history should be sufficient as your wife's does not exist.

My wife tried to apply for a Macy's credit card with her new SSC and was denied as they could not find any information associated with that SSN. Image that! I was surprised that they actually have standards in issuing credit and don't just give the cards out to everybody.

Go get the SSC and that will solve all other issues.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited June 8, 2011 by Dave&Roza

[Barbara J 115]

My fiance got here to the US about two weeks ago. we are getting married in 2 weeks and are looking for an apartment. The apartment we want requires a background check for both of us and they said she needs a social security number or tax id number for her BR check... What do we do?!

She should be in the system by now so go to your local SS office and don't let them tell you she can't have one cause she can. She can get it in her maiden name and after you marry she can get her name changed if she is taking your last name no problem. She will need her passport with visa inside and her I-94