Was told couldn't apply for Social Security card until work authorized.

[zgundam 0]

My now wife came over on a K1 visa. According to the guide, you should wait a couple weeks after entry into the US before applying for a Social Security (SS) card. Well, due to circumstances that was difficult to change, we had the wedding about two weeks after she came here.

No, problem, I thought, we would just go to the SS office after the wedding and apply for a number. Well, the officer there told us that since we were married, the K1 visa was no longer valid and that we would have to wait until after she got her work authorization documentation to ally for the SS card. I was not amused.

I've since filed for the AOS and work authorization (and she has even had her biometrics done), but her not having a SS card is causing problems. She can't get a driver's license, and I can't file my taxes jointly.

Any advice? Was I told wrong? Should I expect the work authorization docs soon?

Thanks

-ZG

[pushbrk 12,898]

My now wife came over on a K1 visa. According to the guide, you should wait a couple weeks after entry into the US before applying for a Social Security (SS) card. Well, due to circumstances that was difficult to change, we had the wedding about two weeks after she came here.

No, problem, I thought, we would just go to the SS office after the wedding and apply for a number. Well, the officer there told us that since we were married, the K1 visa was no longer valid and that we would have to wait until after she got her work authorization documentation to ally for the SS card. I was not amused.

I've since filed for the AOS and work authorization (and she has even had her biometrics done), but her not having a SS card is causing problems. She can't get a driver's license, and I can't file my taxes jointly.

Any advice? Was I told wrong? Should I expect the work authorization docs soon?

Thanks

-ZG

EAD takes about three months and the SSN a couple weeks after that.

You can file joint taxes by filing a W7 form for her to get an ITIN. You must file by mail though.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

My now wife came over on a K1 visa. According to the guide, you should wait a couple weeks after entry into the US before applying for a Social Security (SS) card. Well, due to circumstances that was difficult to change, we had the wedding about two weeks after she came here.

No, problem, I thought, we would just go to the SS office after the wedding and apply for a number. Well, the officer there told us that since we were married, the K1 visa was no longer valid and that we would have to wait until after she got her work authorization documentation to ally for the SS card. I was not amused.

I've since filed for the AOS and work authorization (and she has even had her biometrics done), but her not having a SS card is causing problems. She can't get a driver's license, and I can't file my taxes jointly.

Any advice? Was I told wrong? Should I expect the work authorization docs soon?

Thanks

-ZG

The Social Security office is correct. A fiancé(e) is work authorised incident to status, but once the alien marries he or she is no longer a fiancé/fiancée.

[terrie/kamal 0]

We went thru the same thing when my husband got here. We got married in October and filed for everything in Nov. By the end of January we had his Ead and he now has his ssn. I have filed my taxes to be amended. Which is something you may want to consider doing.

[tom_g 3]

I'd go to a different SSA office. This time just hand over the form, the passport , the birth certificate, and say "I'm on a K1 visa and I'm applying for a SSN number" then say nothing else. Don't volunteer any further information

it worked for me - I was married and I'd filed to adjust status

[terrie/kamal 0]

Thats total fruad and they will see in the system that you are married. There is no way you can do it.

[wifetobe 2]

Thats total fruad and they will see in the system that you are married. There is no way you can do it.

Not fraudulent but cleverly done to save weeks/months on end of people screwing around with your paperwork.

I'd go to a different SSA office. This time just hand over the form, the passport , the birth certificate, and say "I'm on a K1 visa and I'm applying for a SSN number" then say nothing else. Don't volunteer any further information

it worked for me - I was married and I'd filed to adjust status

Clever!! At the end of the day you had a K1 visa so nothing should make any difference. Congratulations on your marriage

[Converse34 1]

Thats total fruad and they will see in the system that you are married. There is no way you can do it.

How will they see in the system you are married?? Only if you gave your SSN on your marriage license and since he had none, no way to track it. Don't make blanket statements that "There is no way you can do it." Clearly this poster did.

Tom G - well done. I wish more people on this board used a little common sense and did what they need to do to get things done rather just moaning and complaining after not following the K1 flow chart and things don't go their way.

[Nina+Matt 0]

why would that be fraud? you are not lying, just not telling everything! and how would they see that you are married?

[one_day_at_a_time 0]

My now wife came over on a K1 visa. According to the guide, you should wait a couple weeks after entry into the US before applying for a Social Security (SS) card. Well, due to circumstances that was difficult to change, we had the wedding about two weeks after she came here.

No, problem, I thought, we would just go to the SS office after the wedding and apply for a number. Well, the officer there told us that since we were married, the K1 visa was no longer valid and that we would have to wait until after she got her work authorization documentation to ally for the SS card. I was not amused.

I've since filed for the AOS and work authorization (and she has even had her biometrics done), but her not having a SS card is causing problems. She can't get a driver's license, and I can't file my taxes jointly.

Any advice? Was I told wrong? Should I expect the work authorization docs soon?

Thanks

-ZG

As you can see from my timeline, I got married Oct-12 and applied for a SSN Nov-7. I showed them my passport with K-1 Visa & I-94 and my marriage certificate. My application was processed with my married name and I received my card within 2 weeks - NO FUSS. I'm of the understanding that it is the I-94 that drives eligibility up to 2 weeks prior to expiry.

[lisakopavi 0]

My now wife came over on a K1 visa. According to the guide, you should wait a couple weeks after entry into the US before applying for a Social Security (SS) card. Well, due to circumstances that was difficult to change, we had the wedding about two weeks after she came here.

No, problem, I thought, we would just go to the SS office after the wedding and apply for a number. Well, the officer there told us that since we were married, the K1 visa was no longer valid and that we would have to wait until after she got her work authorization documentation to ally for the SS card. I was not amused.

I've since filed for the AOS and work authorization (and she has even had her biometrics done), but her not having a SS card is causing problems. She can't get a driver's license, and I can't file my taxes jointly.

Any advice? Was I told wrong? Should I expect the work authorization docs soon?

Thanks

-ZG

As you can see from my timeline, I got married Oct-12 and applied for a SSN Nov-7. I showed them my passport with K-1 Visa & I-94 and my marriage certificate. My application was processed with my married name and I received my card within 2 weeks - NO FUSS. I'm of the understanding that it is the I-94 that drives eligibility up to 2 weeks prior to expiry.

I tried applying in my married name but the system wouldn't accept it so they filed my SSN in my maiden name. The only problem is I can't work with this SSN, it states on it that I have to have EAD approval. So they told me when I get my EAD to go back with that and my marriage certificate to remove the conditions and put it in my married name on it.

[garya505 2]

I'd go to a different SSA office. This time just hand over the form, the passport , the birth certificate, and say "I'm on a K1 visa and I'm applying for a SSN number" then say nothing else. Don't volunteer any further information

it worked for me - I was married and I'd filed to adjust status

That's exactly right. You should apply for a SSN in maiden name, then change the name when the EAD or GC arrives.

BTW, we did the same thing with her state ID card. No problem.

Edited February 17, 2008 by garya505

[Cassie 8]

My now wife came over on a K1 visa. According to the guide, you should wait a couple weeks after entry into the US before applying for a Social Security (SS) card. Well, due to circumstances that was difficult to change, we had the wedding about two weeks after she came here.

No, problem, I thought, we would just go to the SS office after the wedding and apply for a number. Well, the officer there told us that since we were married, the K1 visa was no longer valid and that we would have to wait until after she got her work authorization documentation to ally for the SS card. I was not amused.

I've since filed for the AOS and work authorization (and she has even had her biometrics done), but her not having a SS card is causing problems. She can't get a driver's license, and I can't file my taxes jointly.

Any advice? Was I told wrong? Should I expect the work authorization docs soon?

Thanks

-ZG

The Social Security office is correct. A fiancé(e) is work authorised incident to status, but once the alien marries he or she is no longer a fiancé/fiancée.

so why was I allowed to apply for my SSN and receive it AFTER I was married, and BEFORE I even applied for AOS/EAD/AP ??

[Krikit 1,164]

The Social Security office is correct. A fiancé(e) is work authorised incident to status, but once the alien marries he or she is no longer a fiancé/fiancée.

so why was I allowed to apply for my SSN and receive it AFTER I was married, and BEFORE I even applied for AOS/EAD/AP ??

Sorry, DM, but your statement is incorrect. I, also, applied for, and received, my SSN after marriage and prior to filing for AOS.

ZG, search for posts by member name I_Quit. You'll be able to find correct SSA information and suggestions from him.

[Texanadian 10]

One would have to question when the K-1 expires. On the 90th day or when you get married. To me, I think it expires on the 90th day. There is nothing on the K1 or I94 stating that it expires on the day of your marriage.