Marriage or SS# First?

[Todd&Toshie 0]

The guide time lines posted here suggest going to get a social security number (SS#), then getting married, then going back to get the name on the SS card changed. Can we not just get married (planned for about 5 days after her arrival) and then apply for a SS# with all the documentation showing the marriage and name change? Or do we really need to go to the SS office twice?

[payxibka 10,045]

The guide time lines posted here suggest going to get a social security number (SS#), then getting married, then going back to get the name on the SS card changed. Can we not just get married (planned for about 5 days after her arrival) and then apply for a SS# with all the documentation showing the marriage and name change? Or do we really need to go to the SS office twice?

this will not be your only visit(s) to the SSA as you will be goin back at a later date after greencard....

we did it before marriage... waited and went back after greencard and did the change of name and updated the immigration status

moving to:

Working & Traveling prior to getting a Green Card

If you do not enter on an immigrant visa then you will have to file for Adjustment of Status to become a Permanent Resident. During this time, you will not typically be able to work or leave the US without jeopardizing your immigration status unless you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or an Advance Parole (AP) from the USCIS. This section also covers getting a Social Security Number (SSN) and is for general discussion on all these topics.

Edited February 16, 2009 by payxibka

[Al_n_Cecilia 0]

think of it this way...get SS#...marry ...and then #SS again ... Over. Let the system do what it does, you waited this long ...whats a few days.

The guide time lines posted here suggest going to get a social security number (SS#), then getting married, then going back to get the name on the SS card changed. Can we not just get married (planned for about 5 days after her arrival) and then apply for a SS# with all the documentation showing the marriage and name change? Or do we really need to go to the SS office twice?

[ikarus 1]

We got the SS#, then we married, then we went to get the SS# with a new name.

A colleague at work who had gone thru the process couple of years earlier told me to do it that way, as they had gotten married, and then went for the social, and his advice was, 'save yourself problems, and get your social first.' I honestly don't know what's the advantage is, but if you do a search on this forum, you'll see some people do it either way. We just stuck to what was advised.

[BermyCat 1]

I came here on my K-1 on Dec. 19th, we got married on Dec. 21st and I applied for my SSN two weeks later in my married name. I had my passport with visa and marriage certificate. I had no problem at all. This seems to be another one of thoses things were it depends on how knowledgable the person processing the application is.

~ Catherine

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

Bear in mind that some counties in the states 'officially' require a SSN for a marriage license. You should have your FI call his local office to ensure that your county doesn't need one. Many say they require it on websites but when you call they don't actually need one, and won't actually accept one with 'DHS work authorisation required' written on it (which yours will, if you're a K1), so calling is the best option.

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

In our case, I got my SSN before we got married. After we got married, I tried to change the name on my SSN to my new married name. They told me I had to wait until my name was changed with the DHS. After I received my EAD, I returned to the SSA, and was able to change the name on my SSN to match my married name as shown on my EAD.

[Ana1988 0]

In our case, I got my SSN before we got married. After we got married, I tried to change the name on my SSN to my new married name. They told me I had to wait until my name was changed with the DHS. After I received my EAD, I returned to the SSA, and was able to change the name on my SSN to match my married name as shown on my EAD.

hey guys,just want to ask what are the complete steps to apply SSN before marriage?the forms and where to apply,and how much the fee?

Thanks in advanced,

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The guide time lines posted here suggest going to get a social security number (SS#), then getting married, then going back to get the name on the SS card changed. Can we not just get married (planned for about 5 days after her arrival) and then apply for a SS# with all the documentation showing the marriage and name change? Or do we really need to go to the SS office twice?

Go to SS office first, it only takes a few minutes, you can do it on the way home from the airprot. When you go to change names the SS Administration will act as though you are the first people to ever ask such a thing and will take weeks to sort things out. Better to let them do that AFTER you have your card in hand. It is best when their inefficient convulsions affect only them.

Get the SSN first, get married, change name at your leisure.

[Jasman0717 9]

I took Claudeth to the social security office about two weeks after she arrived and she received her card in the mail about a week later. It seemed to work the best for us.

[I'm Gone 60]

The guide time lines posted here suggest going to get a social security number (SS#), then getting married, then going back to get the name on the SS card changed. Can we not just get married (planned for about 5 days after her arrival) and then apply for a SS# with all the documentation showing the marriage and name change? Or do we really need to go to the SS office twice?

An individual that entered the United States with K-1 status applying for a work authorized SSN must present evidence at an SSA office to establish his or her age, identity and current lawful employment authorized status.

An individual needs to provide at least two documents as evidence to establish age, identity and current lawful employment authorized status.

SSA will not assign an SSN or issue a card to an individual that is within 14 days of his or her alien status expiring. Until the 76th day after entry an individual with K-1 status only needs to provide an unexpired I-94 showing current K-1 status to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

Once, an individual that entered the United States with K-1 status has been in the United States 76 days he or she will need another document, i.e. I-551 or I-766 to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500#C1

RM 00203.410 Evidence of Alien Status for an SSN Card for an Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410

Note: Marriage does not affect an individual with K-1 status's eligibility to be assigned an SSN and/or issued a card.

Only the marriage document is needed to establish the name change if it meets the following criteria:

-- The new name can be derived from the marriage document, i.e. bride

takes the groom’s last name, groom takes bride’s last name, compound

name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse’s original name for

either or both parties.

Note: The type of name change requested must also be allowable under state law, i.e. groom taking bride’s last name.

-- The marriage occurred within the past two years

-- The marriage document shows sufficient identifying information

(e.g., biographical data such as age, date of birth or parent's

names), and

-- The identifying information matches the information on his/her

Social Security number (Numident) record.

The applicant may need to submit an identity document in the old name along with the marriage document if:

-- The marriage occurred within the last two years and has biographical

information, e.g., age, date of birth or parent's names which does

not match our records, e.g., the SSN record.

-- The marriage occurred within the last two years, but does not show

biographical information, or

-- The marriage occurred over two years ago (with or without

biographical information.

The identity document used to establish the old name must match the name on the current SSN record. The identity document is acceptable even if over two years old or expired.

In name change situations when evidence of identity in the old name is required and the applicant does not have any acceptable evidence of identity in the old name with him or her at the time the SSN application is filed, we can request the following documentation to process the name change:

1. Name change document (e.g., marriage document) showing the old name that agrees with the name on the latest Numident record (Numident) (e.g., maiden name), and

2. Acceptable evidence of identity in the new name (name to be shown on the SSN card), excluding marriage document if it was submitted as the name change document and

3. Verification of identifying information (SSN, name(s) on latest Numident record, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names) from the latest Numident record.

If these three documentation requirements are not met, the name change request cannot be processed under this new policy. Evidence of identity in the old name would need to be submitted per EM-06064.

Note: Refer the Social Security office personnel to EM-06064, which was issued 10/02/2006 and EM-07045, which was issued 07/03/2007 for the current procedures regarding name changes based on marriage.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/public/refere...cttocategory=EM

This is in addition to proof of current lawful employment authorized status.

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

“When an alien applies for an SSN card, we presume the name on the immigration document is the legal name unless the applicant presents evidence of a legal name change, e.g., marriage, which occurred after the immigration document was issued.”

“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.”

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

When requesting an SSN card, the documents presented, as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. SSA cannot accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence.

“If the applicant has no immediate need for the SSN and the translation can be done promptly or the foreign language document is the only evidence available; have the document translated by an authorized translator and use the document as evidence.”

“If the applicant has a pressing need for an SSN, and evidence other than the foreign language document is available; request other evidence and process the application without the foreign language document.”

RM 00203.040 Reviewing SSN Evidence:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203040#B3

SSA translators comprise two groups:

-- Field office and Payment Center employees who volunteer their

services as translators

-- Central Translation Section translators who hold actual translator

positions.

GN 00301.340 Authorized Translators Defined:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200301340

If a foreign-born person has the foreign birth certificate (BC) in his/her possession or can easily obtain a copy, he or she must submit it as proof of age. When a person is foreign-born, a BC may not exist, may not have been recorded shortly after birth, or the probative value of the document may not be high. In these situations, SSA can accept alternative evidence of age in order of probative value. The alternative evidence of age may be less than a year old, e.g., a DHS document or passport.

You can find detailed information regarding evidence that establishes age on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203110

The documents acceptable as evidence of identity are now based on three factors: (1) the applicant’s age, (2) the applicant’s citizenship/alien status, and (3) the relative probative value of documents.

Primary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (includes temporary I-551

Stamp in combination with an unexpired foreign passport when the I-

551 Permanent Resident Card has not yet been issued)

-- Form I-94, Arrival/departure Record in combination with an unexpired

foreign passport

-- Form I-766, Employment Authorization card

Note: Document must be unexpired

Secondary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Unexpired valid U.S. driver’s license (excludes licenses known to be

suspended or revoked)

-- U.S. State issued non-driver identity card (issued by the same State

agency which issues driver’s licenses/State-level agency with

issuing authority over the State’s identity card and not expired)

-- Marriage document showing in addition to the applicant’s name

either the applicant’s date of birth ( DOB) or age

-- Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or hospital) or

letter providing extract data from the medical record showing in

addition to the applicant’s name, the applicant’s DOB or age

-- Health insurance or Medicaid card showing, in addition to the

person’s name, either a photograph of the person or his/her DOB

-- School identity card or record (for current school year) showing, in

addition to the applicant’s name, either a photograph of the

applicant or the applicant’s DOB

-- Life insurance policy for the person showing his/her age or DOB.

However, the acceptability of an identity document must be evaluated on a case by case basis by the office processing the application.

You can find detailed information regarding evidence that establishes identity on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203200

SSA cannot accept an application filing receipt or notice of action as evidence of an immigration document.

Take the required documents to the nearest Social Security office. Individuals age 12 or older applying for an original SSN and card must apply in person at one of our offices.

You can obtain the address and directions to the nearest Social Security office from the Social Security Office Locator, which is available on the Internet at:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

Note: Applicants who live or receive mail in the Brooklyn, NY, Queens, NY, Phoenix, AZ, Orlando, FL, Sacramento, CA or Las Vegas, NV area MUST apply in person at one of the Social Security Card Centers.

Card Center Information:

http://www.ssa.gov/cardcenters/cardcenterinfo.html

Normally, an SSN card should be received in the mail within two weeks after the application and document(s) have been received and verified.

However, when an alien requests an SSN or replacement card, SSA must verify his or her documents/current status with the appropriate Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security. If the initial online verification is not possible through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, SSA may need to send a Form G-845 to the appropriate Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security for manual verification.

Social Security field offices can submit an additional electronic online verification, which in the majority of applications eliminates the need to send a Form G-845 along with copies of the applicant’s immigration documents.

However, some applications still require a copy of the immigration document(s) being verified to be sent at the request of the Department of Homeland Security along with the Form G-845 for manual verification.

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.

The 14 day status expiration limit for assigning an SSN and/or issuing a card applies even if an individual submitted his or her application before being within the 14 day period and entered the 14 day period while waiting for his or her status to be verified.

All cards are mailed from Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland to the postal address provided on the Form SS-5.

If ineligible to be assigned an SSN, Social Security offices can provide written notice using Form SSA-L676 to explain that an SSN cannot be assigned due to your fiancé/spouse not having provided authorization to work in the United States for SSN purposes or evidence of a valid nonwork reason for needing an SSN.

The following are valid nonwork reasons:

-- Receive Social Security benefits

-- Receive Medicaid

-- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

-- Food Stamps

-- State/Local General Assistance Benefits

Needing an SSN for school aid or enrollment, tax purposes, private health insurance, banking, credit cards, loans or to be issued a state professional or driver’s license are NOT valid non work reasons for needing an SSN.

The IRS assigns Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to aliens for tax purposes who are not eligible to be assigned an SSN. A Form W-7, “Application for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number,” needs to be submitted to receive an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

You can download a form W-7 from the IRS Website at:

http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

You can contact the IRS ITIN office by calling 1-800-908-9982 or 1-215-516-2000.

You can find additional information on the IRS Website at:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1915.pdf

When am I legally required to provide my Social Security number:

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cf....php?p_faqid=78

[Todd&Toshie 0]

In our case, I got my SSN before we got married. After we got married, I tried to change the name on my SSN to my new married name. They told me I had to wait until my name was changed with the DHS. After I received my EAD, I returned to the SSA, and was able to change the name on my SSN to match my married name as shown on my EAD.

Yes, sounds like my experience. We were told that my new wife could not change her name on her SS card until immigration had processed the name change after I submit my AOS. Since I have not yet submitted this paperwork, she can not get a SS card or driver's license in her new last name. It seems surprising that a federal agency like the SS admin would have different rules at different offices. Have the rules changed? Does the flowchart for K-1 visas on this site need to be updated to show that name changes can not be made after marriage until the AOS is processed? Or did I just get a SS administrator that does not know what is possible?

[I'm Gone 60]

We were told that my new wife could not change her name on her SS card until immigration had processed the name change after I submit my AOS. Since I have not yet submitted this paperwork, she can not get a SS card or driver's license in her new last name. It seems surprising that a federal agency like the SS admin would have different rules at different offices. Have the rules changed? Does the flowchart for K-1 visas on this site need to be updated to show that name changes can not be made after marriage until the AOS is processed? Or did I just get a SS administrator that does not know what is possible?

If she has not been here 76 days or more she can still apply for the name change based on K-1 status and using the I-94, passport and marriage document.

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

When an alien applies for an SSN card, we presume the name on the immigration document is the legal name unless the applicant presents evidence of a legal name change, e.g., marriage, which occurred after the immigration document was issued.

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.

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

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 would ask to speak with a manager if they will not take the application and she has the required documents and hasn't been here 76 days.

[NatPatBen 3]

So this issue is not applicable to male immigrants, right? As long as his name isn't changing.

[I'm Gone 60]

So this issue is not applicable to male immigrants, right? As long as his name isn't changing.

What issue? Some SSA offices start acting goofy when a K-1 applies after getting married male or female. So with a male that I assume wouldn't be changing his name if he applies after getting married, have him stick the wedding band in his pocket and don't say anything about being married.