After getting married, does it matter how soon we change the name on the SS card?

[ikarus 1]

hi,

My fiance (now wife) arrived in the usa, 3 weeks later we applied for the social security card, we got the card a week later with her maiden name of course; we got married and the question is---how soon should we change the name on the social security card?

thanks!

Edited November 30, 2008 by ikarus

[Otto 83]

hi,

My fiance (now wife) arrived in the usa, 3 weeks later we applied for the social security card, we got the card a week later with her maiden name of course; we got married and the question is---how soon should we change the name on the social security card?

thanks!

You can wait (they may ask you to wait until she gets her EAD or GC anyway) - the number on the card is the important thing.

[reeses16 8]

Yep, I agree with Karin und Otto.

[anitacastillo 0]

Because the visa was a K-1 (same as my husband), the SS card she has right now has the "only authorized to work with permission of DHS" (or something like that). I would wait until she has her green card when you can get those words removed and her married name changed at the same time.

2 trips to the SS office was enough for me....

Good Luck with your AOS!

[I'm Gone 60]

hi,

My fiance (now wife) arrived in the usa, 3 weeks later we applied for the social security card, we got the card a week later with her maiden name of course; we got married and the question is---how soon should we change the name on the social security card?

thanks!

Just remember if you don't change the name, when you file taxes she's probably going need to use the maiden name and most states check the name of the driver's license application against the SSN record, so that might also need to be in the maiden name.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=105969,00.html

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0203325005

As long as she hasn't been her 76 days, I would apply for the name change now.

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name

In cases where an alien applies for a replacement SSN card and submits an immigration document showing a name that is different from the name on the prior Numident record, accept the immigration document as evidence of the legal name. In these cases, the prior SSN card may have been issued in a name that was not the number holder’s legal name.

[ikarus 1]

hi,

My fiance (now wife) arrived in the usa, 3 weeks later we applied for the social security card, we got the card a week later with her maiden name of course; we got married and the question is---how soon should we change the name on the social security card?

thanks!

Just remember if you don't change the name, when you file taxes she's probably going need to use the maiden name and most states check the name of the driver's license application against the SSN record, so that might also need to be in the maiden name.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=105969,00.html

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0203325005

As long as she hasn't been her 76 days, I would apply for the name change now.

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name

In cases where an alien applies for a replacement SSN card and submits an immigration document showing a name that is different from the name on the prior Numident record, accept the immigration document as evidence of the legal name. In these cases, the prior SSN card may have been issued in a name that was not the number holder’s legal name.

Detailed info! thanks! So I'm thinking changing the name now, rather than later is also best for AOS interview purposes? From my browsing it seems that many members changed their name later rather than sooner, but others did it right away.