Changing name on SSN before getting green card?

[jnk 0]

Is it possible to change my wife's name on her social security card before we get her green card? We got married, recieved her Social Security Card, then returned to change the name on it...two months later we had heard nothing.

We returned to the Social Security Office, and they said that there was probably an error with something they did, so they re-submitted it electronically. I just received a call from them saying we needed to bring in all of her documents again to re-verify, including her I-551....we don't have that. In fact, I don't even know what it is. She entered the US on a K-1 Visa, so we have all the papers from that process, and her I-94.

Is there something I'm missing? The people at the Social Security Office are literally no help at all.

[keweul 1]

Is it possible to change my wife's name on her social security card before we get her green card? We got married, recieved her Social Security Card, then returned to change the name on it...two months later we had heard nothing.

We returned to the Social Security Office, and they said that there was probably an error with something they did, so they re-submitted it electronically. I just received a call from them saying we needed to bring in all of her documents again to re-verify, including her I-551....we don't have that. In fact, I don't even know what it is. She entered the US on a K-1 Visa, so we have all the papers from that process, and her I-94.

Is there something I'm missing? The people at the Social Security Office are literally no help at all.

Not sure what they're asking for but i do know that the I-551 is the stamp they put in ur passport to show that she's here legally...not sure how it is for a K-1 visa though...just show them everything you have and let them know that things are still in process as far as her greencard is concerned...goodluck

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

Yes, you can get a SSN from the time you enter the US till about 2 weeks before the I-94 expires. After that, you will have to wait for your EAD or GC to get one. The problem is that many SSA employees are clueless (typical of civil service employees) and don't know the rules. There is a document you should print and bring with you which clearly shows that K-1 holders are eligible for a SSN. Just read the GUIDES, see the link below.

Follow the directions here and you should get one with no problems: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

Btw, if you have waited 2 months and nothing yet, then you are either close to the I-94 expiration date or already expired in which case you can't get one now. You will have to wait for the EAD or GC. For example, if the exp date on your I-94 is Aug 16th, the last day you can apply is tomorrow (Aug 2), 2 weeks before it expires. After tomorrow, they won't let you apply.

The I-551 is the stamp that they (sometimes) give people at the AOS interview when they are approved. It means that you are a permanent resident. You wouldn't have that or be able to get that now.

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

EDIT: I just re-read the original post. I misread it at first. You already got a SSN but want to just change the name. That should be pretty easy. I would fill out an application form again and indicate name change (I think there is a box to check for that). Bring your old SS card, marriage certificate, and the document I mentioned above. If you follow the link above, you can access it from there.

You don't need to worry about I-94 expiration dates, that's only if you apply for a new one. But you should bring that document with you I mentioned above to show that you don't need an I-551 stamp or a green card.

Edited August 1, 2008 by kid brooklyn

[Dias Melhores 0]

EDIT: I just re-read the original post. I misread it at first. You already got a SSN but want to just change the name. That should be pretty easy. I would fill out an application form again and indicate name change (I think there is a box to check for that). Bring your old SS card, marriage certificate, and the document I mentioned above. If you follow the link above, you can access it from there.

You don't need to worry about I-94 expiration dates, that's only if you apply for a new one. But you should bring that document with you I mentioned above to show that you don't need an I-551 stamp or a green card.

Some SS offices will give a hard time about changing the name before having the EAD or GC in hand. Ours was a pain and would only let my wife get the card in her maiden name (even when we showed our marriage certificate).

She has since then received her EAD and we have changed her name on the SS card. I wrote a post about my frustrations in trying to obtain a CA drivers license with different last names on the SS card and the DL application:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry2032230

I wish you the best of luck and hope you have no problems when you go to SS.

Let us know how it worked out!