SSN question

[cherylc522 0]

When do you apply for your social? is it right when you get married or is it after u apply for AOS when is it? if i wanted to go to school right away after getting married and need a social when can i get it?

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

When do you apply for your social? is it right when you get married or is it after u apply for AOS when is it? if i wanted to go to school right away after getting married and need a social when can i get it?

Wait for approximately 2 weeks after you arrive and then go and file for one. You should get it within a couple of weeks.

[cherylc522 0]

When do you apply for your social? is it right when you get married or is it after u apply for AOS when is it? if i wanted to go to school right away after getting married and need a social when can i get it?

Wait for approximately 2 weeks after you arrive and then go and file for one. You should get it within a couple of weeks.

so what documents do i take with me? what do i need to prove that i have a right to get a ssn?

[Carlawarla 1]

You'll be taking your passport to the office that has your visa in it. The SSN you get is going to say you're not allowed to work mind you. But it will help you register for school if that's what you need, open a bank account, or just get other ID, like maybe a library card. You must have at least 76 days left on your visa before they'll give you a SSN card as well. If they can't find you in the system, they'll probably tell you they'll send you a card when they've matched up the info on the system. I did that and I had my card within a week.

A few people have had some difficulty in getting a SSN card in their married name if they've married before getting their SSN. Some offices say that getting married means their K-1 visa is no longer valid. You could take some documentation down to the office if you want to confront them about this, or don't just get it in your maiden name since you can't work with it anyway, and get it changed after you get your EAD or GC in your married name. You'll need a new card with authorization to work then anyway.

[mrsartis 10]

You'll be taking your passport to the office that has your visa in it. The SSN you get is going to say you're not allowed to work mind you. But it will help you register for school if that's what you need, open a bank account, or just get other ID, like maybe a library card. You must have at least 76 days left on your visa before they'll give you a SSN card as well. If they can't find you in the system, they'll probably tell you they'll send you a card when they've matched up the info on the system. I did that and I had my card within a week.

A few people have had some difficulty in getting a SSN card in their married name if they've married before getting their SSN. Some offices say that getting married means their K-1 visa is no longer valid. You could take some documentation down to the office if you want to confront them about this, or don't just get it in your maiden name since you can't work with it anyway, and get it changed after you get your EAD or GC in your married name. You'll need a new card with authorization to work then anyway.

Hey guys,

thank you for these infos.. have a good one.. surely helped me when i moved to US..

[Krikit 1,164]

I applied a few weeks after I arrived and used my married name. The clerk had never dealt with a K-1 visa holder before so was hesitant to accept the application. I did have to insist that it was all legal and above-board, and point out the sections in SSN policy where it stated so. She then went to speak with a supervisor who was able to step her through the process.

I brought:

• my passport showing the K-1 visa and I-94
• my marriage certificate for the name change (see this post by an SSA employee)
• the SSO's policy document on Employment Authorization for Non-Immigrants

[T.O_2_FL 0]

ditto here...

Applied for my SSN 1 week after arrival into the U.S and took:

-my passport with I94 and K1 Visa

-mail with my mailing address in the U.S

-driver's license

After I got married, I went back to the SSN office with my marriage certificate to change my last name. They told me to come back again when I get my Resident status adjusted.

[Krikit 1,164]

Yes, some mail addressed to you at your current address is a good thing to bring. I didn't need it for the SSN but I did have to bring it to the DMV.

[BH45 0]

So it's best to get the SSN in my maiden name and not wait until we are married. Larry seems to think it would be easier to get it after we are married. Just prolongs us doing other things, like my licence, banking, etc., right?

[TheATeam 0]

Oh boy....at least 76 days left on your visa? Well, I guess that means I'm not getting my SSN until I get my greencard right? Or is it my EAD? I haven't gone to get my SSN yet, been busy and just forgot! My K1 expires on July 25th! Does this mean I can't get my SSN before I get my EAD? I don't suppose it's a huge deal right? I'm sending in my AOS package soon and just trying to get my ducks in a row!

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

We applied for the SSN this morning and all they took from my fiance was his passport. They didn't ask him anything told him he should have it by Friday. He arrived in the states 4th of July. We'll see. Good luck.

[Krikit 1,164]

So it's best to get the SSN in my maiden name and not wait until we are married. Larry seems to think it would be easier to get it after we are married. Just prolongs us doing other things, like my licence, banking, etc., right?

Whatever works for you. I found they need the SSN for every little thing you do here, so I went ahead and got mine right after we married. But, really, you can definitely get away with waiting until after you are married as long as there are still two weeks remaining on your I-94 expiry date.

Oh boy....at least 76 days left on your visa? Well, I guess that means I'm not getting my SSN until I get my greencard right? Or is it my EAD? I haven't gone to get my SSN yet, been busy and just forgot! My K1 expires on July 25th! Does this mean I can't get my SSN before I get my EAD? I don't suppose it's a huge deal right? I'm sending in my AOS package soon and just trying to get my ducks in a row!

No, not 76 days left on your visa..... you apply within 76 days of your POE.... which is the date on your I-94. The visa has already been used..... it's now the I-94. If you're saying your I-94 expires on July 25th you need to get your butt down to the SSA right this minute, young lady!

Edited July 9, 2008 by Krikit

[T.O_2_FL 0]

Yep same here as Krikit...they needed a SSN for pretty much everything...bank account, doctor's office, etc. That's not only your SSN but I find that in the U.S. that's pretty much your identity. You're not a name..you're a number here..your SSN. he he he

[TheATeam 0]

Okay, okay Krikit! I'll go tomorrow!

[thetreble 19]

We applied for the SSN this morning and all they took from my fiance was his passport. They didn't ask him anything told him he should have it by Friday. He arrived in the states 4th of July. We'll see. Good luck.

It took me 2.5 months to be issued a SSN after I applied.

I think the SSN question may be confusing to people who don't know much about the processes of immigration to the US. A lot of you guys were on K-1s who are allowed to apply for the SSN once you came here.

I wasn't on K-1 and just got married. I had to wait to apply for my SSN, as far as I knew, until after I applied for AOS and was granted PR status. Am I wrong in the way I went about that and could I have gotten it earlier?