SSN or Marriage License?

[Eric & Althea 0]

Hi guys! I need your help. We are here in Washington DC and have checked online about the requirements to get a marriage license. They require SSN on the application form. We thought of getting married first before but that sounds impossible now if they require SSN from me. Please enlighten us with this. Do you have any idea on what to do?

[Gus21 0]

If D.C requires SSN in order to get a marriage license you might have to get married in another state, I know for sure that GA doesn't require and you can get married on the same day and is valid in the entire US territory.

Congratulations and good luck!

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

WI also has SSN for both parties on the list of requirements for a marriage licence.

I had one from a previous work visa, but when we went to sign the paperwork, they refused to take mine as I was on a K-1, they just wrote down my Passport number instead.

So maybe call and talk to someone before changing any plans

[YuAndDan 153]

The reason K-1 is work auth is to be able to get SSN for situations where marriage license requires SSN.

NOTE: K-1 is not a work visa, it is a fiancee visa for entry to the USA and marriage, K-1 is "Work Auth" primarily to be able to get the SSN, some states are strict in their interpretation of a federal law that requires persons applying for a "license" to have SSN, this can cause a problem with marriage license if only one person has SSN and the other (the K-1 holder) does not.

[tallcoolone 102]

Social Security Number is free and easy to obtain. It took us about 10 minutes to apply.

Walked in Social Security Office, filed for it, and it was delivered via USPS in about 5 days.

[RadzNSteve 0]

IM from Tennessee and my state requires SSN to get the marriage license for both parties. You are suppose to be able to get the SSN with a current I 94, but its also good to take a copy of the state requirment showing SSN is needed for marriage licnese. Some SSN offices have people that are unaware of this requirment and Sometimes you have to make some phone calls to get them to do what they are suppose to. Other Offices give you no problems at all. Just be prepaired to show proof that you need the SSN for marriage. This information may be useful:

Original Social Security Number for a Noncitizen Adult

In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can apply for a Social Security number. If you do not have permission to work but need a Social Security number for other purposes, see “Work eligibility” for further information.

To apply for a Social Security number:

• Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
• Show us documents proving:
  • Immigration status;
  • Work eligibility;
  • Age; and
  • Identity.
• Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office .

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office.

Immigration status

To prove your U.S. immigration status, you must show us the current U.S. immigration document, I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued to you when you arrived in the United States. If you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you also must show us your I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. If you are a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you must show us your DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.

Work eligibility

For most foreign workers, we only need to see an I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Some foreign workers also must show their work permits from DHS (I-766 or I-688B).

Student: If you are an F-1 student authorized to work in curricular practical training, you must provide us with a Form I-20 with the employment page (page 3) completed and signed by a designated school official. We also need to see evidence of that employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter from your employer. Your supervisor must sign and date the letter. The letter must describe:

• Your job;
• Your employment start date:
• The number of hours you are, or will be, working; and
• Your supervisor’s name and telephone number.

If you are an F-1 or M-1 student and are authorized to work off campus, you must provide us with the Employment Authorization Document you received from DHS.

If you are a J-1 student, you must provide a letter from your sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes your employment.

If you do not have permission to work

Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and services without a Social Security number. You do not need a number to conduct business with a bank, register for school, apply for educational tests, obtain private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs or apply for subsidized housing. You cannot get a Social Security number for the sole purpose of obtaining a driver’s license.

Government benefits or services: If you do not have permission to work, you may apply for a Social Security number only if:

• A federal law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or
• A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get general assistance benefits that you already have qualified for.

If you need a number to meet these state or local requirements, you must bring us a letter from the government agency. It must be on letterhead stationery (no form letters or photocopies) and:

• Specifically identify you as the applicant;
• Cite the law requiring you to have a Social Security number;
• Indicate that you meet all the agency’s requirements, except having the number; and
• Contain an agency contact name and telephone number.

Taxes: If you need a number for tax purposes and you are not authorized to work in the United States, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit IRS in person or call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676), and request Form W-7, Application For An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

If you are assigned a number for nonwork purposes, you cannot use it to work. If you use it to work, we will inform DHS.

Age

You must present your birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as a passport or a document issued by DHS, to prove your age.

Identity

Social Security will ask to see a current DHS document. Acceptable documents include:

• Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport);
• I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport; or
• Work permit card from the Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I-688B).

We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use a DHS work permit as proof of both work eligibility and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

We will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you.

[DEDixon 39]

Living in DC, you have Maryland, PA, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia nearby, one of them likely doesn't requires a SSN.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

mbc

[Zee Bee 61]

It states that an SSN is needed to get married in PA but when we went to apply we explained that my SO was on a K1 and they waived the requirement.

Go in to the office to apply and explain the situation, its possible they will waive the requirement for you.

[Sowega 0]

Hi Kamusta?

I want to ask you about SSN... My husband and I applied last Friday for my SSN but the lady at SSA told us that I need to go at Altanta Airport for INS to change my I-94 to my married name to change my status before I can apply for SSN!?!?! I got confused.... cu'z I-94 is not even renewaval... Kindly advice how I can get my SSN, right now My Husband & I preparing the documents to apply for AOS. I need to get my SSN on my married name ASAP so I can work.

Salamat

[I'm Gone 60]

My husband and I applied last Friday for my SSN but the lady at SSA told us that I need to go at Altanta Airport for INS to change my I-94 to my married name to change my status before I can apply for SSN.

That's BS What SSA office told you this? I would go back to the office and ask to speak with a manager.

RM 00203.500 C1 . Policy - Employment Authorization by Class of Admission

The following policy applies to employment authorization by class of admission:

1. Aliens Work Authorized Without Specific DHS Authorization

The following sections list nonimmigrants, by alien class of admission codes, who are authorized to work in the U.S. without specific authorization from DHS.

K-1 Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen

RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

RM 00203.210C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name

When an alien applies for an SSN card, SSA presumes the name on the immigration document is the legal name unless the applicant presents evidence of a legal name change (e.g., marriage) that occurred after the immigration document was issued.

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data:

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

RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE:

http://web.archive.org/web/20051002025945/.../lnx/0100203735

Note: If the applicant has changed his/her name after an immigration document, i.e. I-94, was issued, e.g., married and is now using the married name, but has not obtained a corrected immigration document showing the new name; this is not a name discrepancy for enumeration purposes, i.e. SAVE clearance, if the applicant can provide an acceptable legal name change document to establish the new name.

[I'm Gone 60]

We are here in Washington DC and have checked online about the requirements to get a marriage license. They require SSN on the application form. We thought of getting married first before but that sounds impossible now if they require SSN from me.

I think you will probably find out once you actually speak to someone from the office that issues the marriage licenses, the SSN will not be needed.

Now I would still go apply for the SSN ASAP regardless of whether it's needed to get married.

[pepper 34]

Hi guys! I need your help. We are here in Washington DC and have checked online about the requirements to get a marriage license. They require SSN on the application form. We thought of getting married first before but that sounds impossible now if they require SSN from me. Please enlighten us with this. Do you have any idea on what to do?

the same thing happened to us too so instead of encountering problems i applied for an ssn first before getting married..it is required in some states to get an ssn..you can get a number after 24hrs but the ss id will be sent to you after 2wks...

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Double check. When we looked up the information for Texas it also said that we needed SSN for both, but when we went to inquire, turned out we didn't need it after all

Saludos,

Caro

[I'm Gone 60]

Original Social Security Number for a Noncitizen Adult

In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can apply for a Social Security number. If you do not have permission to work but need a Social Security number for other purposes, see “Work eligibility” for further information.

To apply for a Social Security number:

Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); andShow us documents proving:

• Immigration status;
• Work eligibility;
• Age; and
• Identity.

Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office .Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office.

Immigration status

To prove your U.S. immigration status, you must show us the current U.S. immigration document, I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued to you when you arrived in the United States. If you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you also must show us your I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. If you are a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you must show us your DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.

</a>Work eligibility

For most foreign workers, we only need to see an I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Some foreign workers also must show their work permits from DHS (I-766 or I-688B).

Student: If you are an F-1 student authorized to work in curricular practical training, you must provide us with a Form I-20 with the employment page (page 3) completed and signed by a designated school official. We also need to see evidence of that employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter from your employer. Your supervisor must sign and date the letter. The letter must describe:

• Your job;
• Your employment start date:
• The number of hours you are, or will be, working; and
• Your supervisor’s name and telephone number.

If you are an F-1 or M-1 student and are authorized to work off campus, you must provide us with the Employment Authorization Document you received from DHS.

If you are a J-1 student, you must provide a letter from your sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes your employment.

If you do not have permission to work

Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and services without a Social Security number. You do not need a number to conduct business with a bank, register for school, apply for educational tests, obtain private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs or apply for subsidized housing. You cannot get a Social Security number for the sole purpose of obtaining a driver’s license.

Government benefits or services: If you do not have permission to work, you may apply for a Social Security number only if:

• A federal law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or
• A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get general assistance benefits that you already have qualified for.

If you need a number to meet these state or local requirements, you must bring us a letter from the government agency. It must be on letterhead stationery (no form letters or photocopies) and:

• Specifically identify you as the applicant;
• Cite the law requiring you to have a Social Security number;
• Indicate that you meet all the agency’s requirements, except having the number; and
• Contain an agency contact name and telephone number.

Taxes: If you need a number for tax purposes and you are not authorized to work in the United States, you can apply for an <a href="http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html" target="_blank">Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit IRS in person or call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676), and request Form W-7, Application For An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

If you are assigned a number for nonwork purposes, you cannot use it to work. If you use it to work, we will inform DHS.

Age

You must present your birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as a passport or a document issued by DHS, to prove your age.

Identity

Social Security will ask to see a current DHS document. Acceptable documents include:

• [

*]Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport);I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport; orWork permit card from the Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I-688B).We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use a DHS work permit as proof of both work eligibility and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

We will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you.

Half of that has nothing to do with a K-1. You don't need an Form SS-5 The office will enter all your info into the computer and print out an application for you to sign. Any SS-5 you provide will go the destroy bag or be given back to you..