Applying for SSN

[saraswati007 0]

I'm trying to do some advance planning to figure out (as near as possible) the date we'll be able to go to the courthouse to get legally married... Our state (MA) requires both parties to have a social security number, so was wondering the following...

The guide says that you should wait two weeks after arriving in the US before applying. That makes sense. Also says that the passport, I-94, and another form of identification is needed...

- My fiance is from the UK; what would be best kind of "other passport" be?

- Does it really take 2 weeks following application for the SSN to be issued? Is there a way to find out what it is sooner than that??

Thanks!

[YuAndDan 153]

Other form of ID can be a foreign driver's license, or perhaps Birth Cert, the K-1 visa itself has a nice picture of beneficiary so it makes a good ID.

Took about 10 days for my wife's SSN to arrive after applying at SSA office.

[English Muffin 59]

You don't need an SSN to marry in MA. If you don't have one you just need to given them your reason for not having one in writing when you go for your license.

[polar77 0]

My fiancee also decided to get her SS# before the marriage, since it is requested on the marriage application. I read somewhere that technically a SS# is needed for all US states for marriage, but I could be wrong. We just felt better having her SS# to place on the application. I think my fiancee brought her passport/visa, and I-94 to the SS office when she applied. She got the card in about a week.

Better to wait a couple weeks after entering the US, but don't wait too long, becasue the SS office may not issue the SS# if your visa is about to expire.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

You don't need a SS# or a reason why you don't have one to get married in MA. Just put none on the license application. It's very easy to get married in MA.

[Beantownbabe 1]

I was there two weeks ago to pick up our license - we were asked for the SSN on the form you fill out but if you don't have one there is a section where you explain why not. A couple came in and the guy didn't have one so when they questioned it, he simply said he was not a citizen and they went on with the application processing.

I should add that this was at the Boston office at City Hall.

[Gemmie 142]

We'll be married in MA also, and prior to this topic, I thought I would have to apply for the SSN. It also mentioned a medical examination... that can't possibly be true after the K1 process and the following AOS...

[English Muffin 59]

We'll be married in MA also, and prior to this topic, I thought I would have to apply for the SSN. It also mentioned a medical examination... that can't possibly be true after the K1 process and the following AOS...

No medical needed either. I think the only thing that MA insists on is 3 days notice, you can only get your license on the same day under certain special circumstances.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

No medical needed either. I think the only thing that MA insists on is 3 days notice, you can only get your license on the same day under certain special circumstances.

You are correct.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I was there two weeks ago to pick up our license - we were asked for the SSN on the form you fill out but if you don't have one there is a section where you explain why not. A couple came in and the guy didn't have one so when they questioned it, he simply said he was not a citizen and they went on with the application processing.

I should add that this was at the Boston office at City Hall.

We got our license in a small town in MA. The clerk at the town hall gave us the applications to fill our ourselves and then reviewed them and had us raise our right hands and swear what we had stated was true or something to that effect. We put none for her ss#, and now I don't even remember if we put anything about why not. It wasn't an issue where we applied. They just looked at her passport to see if it was her name and picture. They didn't care about a visa or immigration status.

[saraswati007 0]

Really? Wow - then maybe the Brookline townhall website is out of date, because here's what it says:

"Except for a few exceptional circumstances, the couple must appear in person at the Office of the Town Clerk in order to obtain a marriage license. The couple must complete and sign under oath an Intention of Marriage. Information necessary to completing this form is your social security number, your place of birth and your mother's maiden name. The fee for filing the Intention of Marriage is $35.00."

(Highlights are my own.)

I should probably call them and find out what the latest is.... maybe we could do it sooner than I thought???

Other form of ID can be a foreign driver's license, or perhaps Birth Cert, the K-1 visa itself has a nice picture of beneficiary so it makes a good ID.

Took about 10 days for my wife's SSN to arrive after applying at SSA office.

[saraswati007 0]

Apparently there's a three day waiting period, which is no big deal... but if we can get married w/o waiting for the SSN, then all the better!!

This is a great news. Thank you everyone!!!

You don't need a SS# or a reason why you don't have one to get married in MA. Just put none on the license application. It's very easy to get married in MA.

[Beantownbabe 1]

Wow, you are close to me if you are in Brookline! Yes, there is a three day wait, infact you go and file for the license and they don't actually issue it for the three days - you go back and pick it up. Also, if you want to get married at City Hall then remember to make an appointment in advance (especially for Fridays...) It's not that much of a wait and you could probably get one for the day after you pick up the license if you're lucky. Like I said, at City Hall in Boston they certainly allowed the couple I saw there to apply for the license without the SSN and as I witnessed, he was not asked for a passport or anything. My suggestion would be - if they don't let you do it in Brookline then hop on the T and go to Government Center to do it there at City Hall! Good luck!

Oh yes and the medical part -specifically blood tests for Syphillis was done away with about three(?) years ago I believe...

[English Muffin 59]

Really? Wow - then maybe the Brookline townhall website is out of date, because here's what it says:

"Except for a few exceptional circumstances, the couple must appear in person at the Office of the Town Clerk in order to obtain a marriage license. The couple must complete and sign under oath an Intention of Marriage. Information necessary to completing this form is your social security number, your place of birth and your mother's maiden name. The fee for filing the Intention of Marriage is $35.00."

(Highlights are my own.)

I should probably call them and find out what the latest is.... maybe we could do it sooner than I thought???

That website is badly worded. What it should say is that an SSN is necessary if you have one.

You definitely don't need one.

[saraswati007 0]

Just poking around on the web for "Massachusetts marriage licenses" and found this:

"Are there any special requirements if one applicant is an immigrant?

If either of the parties has arrived as an immigrant from a foreign country within five days, the application may be filed at any time before the marriage, and the certificate shall be issued at any time after the filing."

Classic bureaucratic writing -- I have no idea what this means. Anyone able to translate?