Yet ANOTHER SSN question.

[sigmanigma 0]

I understand that - normally - an applicant would wait two weeks after entering the U.S. on a K-1 to apply for an SSN - however, what if we're getting married the day after she gets here? Then what? Do things in this order?

1. Apply for marriage license

2. Get married

3. Get marriage certificate

4. File I-485 packet

5. Get SSN with wife's married name (bringing all supplements on "How to get an SSN" guide as well as marriage certificate)?

Why would apply for an SSN before getting married and change your name after? Why not just do it once?

Thanks in advance you guys!

[Otto 83]

Well, using your method/timeline you would not be able to apply-for/obtain an social security card/number until you at least received the EAD. If it is of no concern, then best to simply wait until you receive your PR/Green Card then you could get it all done at once.

[YuAndDan 153]

We did it that way, however some states REQUIRE both persons to have SSN BEFORE applying for a marriage license, this is why K-1 is allowed to get an SSN. Some SSA offices will give you a hard time about issuing SSN after you are married, the reason for issuing the SSN "Getting marriage license" no longer exists, so SSA may hold out for the next reason for SSN, being work authorized (EAD or Green-Card)

[sigmanigma 0]

Cool. Thanks to both of you. I guess we'll just wait until she has her EAD.

[BermyCat 1]

I guess it must depend on what SAA office you use how much trouble you have getting your SSN. I entered with my K-1 on a Friday, got married on the Sunday and applied for my SSN two weeks later. The clerk I had here at the Marietta (Atlanta) SAA office knew exactly how the rules for K-1s worked and let me apply in my married name with no problem. She just took copies of my marriage certificate, passport ID page and visa/I-94. I've got my card now.

~ Catherine

[Nicoxcx 1]

Most states (but not all) require an SSN for marriage, (Maryland does)

We went for my SSN 12 days after I arrived in the USA and they told me to come back in 2 days that they cant give me one until I have been there 2 weeks. We wouldn't have bothered if we didn't need it though.

Although I have used it for ID, even at the bank after I was married.

[Lauren&Roel 0]

I have a related question to this. My fiancee's interview is March 31st at the Belgian embassy. We need to leave the country mid-August, so I am trying to do everything in my power to get the AP approved by mid August. I'm trying to work out what the fastest way for me to apply for his AOS.

If he needs a SSN before he can apply for the marriage license -- what are we looking at as far as timelines? It's not clear to me how long it actually takes to get the marriage certificate and the SSN , and what you need to have before you can send in the paperwork for the AOS and get approved for Advance Parole?

Any help is appreciated!!

[jb_vj 5]

Timeline greatly varies to getting SSN from people to people and case to case. For us, it took 7 weeks to get a SSN (Because of the incompetence of the person who took our application, but that's a different story). FYI...you do not need a SSN to file for AOS (we didn't wait) so if you have everything else in order, go ahead and file it.

Normally AP takes 60 to 90 days from date of application to approval

I have a related question to this. My fiancee's interview is March 31st at the Belgian embassy. We need to leave the country mid-August, so I am trying to do everything in my power to get the AP approved by mid August. I'm trying to work out what the fastest way for me to apply for his AOS.

If he needs a SSN before he can apply for the marriage license -- what are we looking at as far as timelines? It's not clear to me how long it actually takes to get the marriage certificate and the SSN , and what you need to have before you can send in the paperwork for the AOS and get approved for Advance Parole?

Any help is appreciated!!

Edited March 5, 2009 by jb_vj

[Lauren&Roel 0]

Thanks for the quick reply!

But -- don't you need your SSN to get the marriage license, and a marriage license to apply for the AOS? I guess it seems like maybe this depends by state.... I should check with NJ law.

[jb_vj 5]

Correct you need to check NJ law....for us SSN was not a requirement to get marriage license.

Here is the link:

http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/marriage_apply.shtml

Thanks for the quick reply!

But -- don't you need your SSN to get the marriage license, and a marriage license to apply for the AOS? I guess it seems like maybe this depends by state.... I should check with NJ law.

Edited March 6, 2009 by jb_vj

[Lauren&Roel 0]

yeah, so looks like he will need an SSN before we can apply for the marriage certificate. Which means if he enters mid-April, we likely won't be able to get married till Mid-May - and that only leave us 3 months until we have to go away in August..... eek, that is cutting it close. Does anyone know what qualifies someone for expidited Advanced Parole?

[jb_vj 5]

If I were you, I would make a call to your county registrar's office to find out if they need a SSN of both parties to issue a marriage license. Even though for us it was listed on the website that a SSN was required, we were told "if you don't have it, you don't have it", and we were still issued a marriage license.

yeah, so looks like he will need an SSN before we can apply for the marriage certificate. Which means if he enters mid-April, we likely won't be able to get married till Mid-May - and that only leave us 3 months until we have to go away in August..... eek, that is cutting it close. Does anyone know what qualifies someone for expidited Advanced Parole?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

yeah, so looks like he will need an SSN before we can apply for the marriage certificate. Which means if he enters mid-April, we likely won't be able to get married till Mid-May - and that only leave us 3 months until we have to go away in August..... eek, that is cutting it close. Does anyone know what qualifies someone for expidited Advanced Parole?

I don't interpret that NJ info as having to have a SSN unless a US resident.

Required documents when applying for a marriage license:

Proof of identity by presenting your driver’s license, passport or state/federal I.D.

Proof of your residency.

Your social security card or social security number.*

A witness, 18 years of age or older.

The $28 application fee.

*Social security number is required by law for US citizens and will be kept confidential.

I know my county in Texas said SSN on the website, but when I called them and spoke to a person she said "if a person has a SSN, then they must tell us, but a passport is enough for the immigrant." So NJ may be the same way. You can also get married in any state, not just NJ if you find one with easier laws.

[Lauren&Roel 0]

Huh, I am really not sure how I missed that "for a US citizen" part of the statement! I guess I had been staring at a computer screen too long at that point....

Thanks, that is extremely helpful! Hopefully you are right about only me needing one. That should speed up the process considerably.

Edited March 6, 2009 by Lauren&Roel

[Craneman 2]

How can the answer to this question be so varied.

We applied for the scial security card after being married.

The SSI office says that the SS card is being held up until either the EAD is issued or the AOS is approved.

If you need a SS# to get married but you need the AOS to get a SS# and you can not get the AOS without being married to satisfy the K-1 requirement.

The SSI worker at the SSI office said, and I quote, "EXACTLY"

#######

We had to leave, I am still trying to get this resolved.