Social Security Card

[SMR 368]

My wife and I applied for a K-1 visa and she had her interview on March 31st, 2009. We were married in the US on the 16th of April. When we filled out the K-1 visa paperwork we checked the box for a social security card. When she crossed the border she received a letter that stated that she should receive a social security number within three weeks. It hasn't come yet.

So we visited our local social security office and they claim that she didn't have a card coming so we applied for a social security number. That card should come in "4-6" weeks but we are worried because it seems we need a social security number to apply for a green card and her I-94 runs out on July 7th. At the social security office they said we should have applied for a SSN as soon as she got here but I thought we did that when we applied for a K-1 visa.

Also, they said that we need to call the department of Homeland Security to change my fiance's last name to my last name if we want to get a SS card with her married last name on it. But who do we call? The USCIS line only gives us automated responses. It says there are operators available but I can't get to one.

Is it possible to apply for a Green Card without a SSN? Provided the SSN does come within six weeks, we still can make it but that is cutting it pretty close.

Thanks.

[Ed+Cindy 1]

My wife and I applied for a K-1 visa and she had her interview on March 31st, 2009. We were married in the US on the 16th of April. When we filled out the K-1 visa paperwork we checked the box for a social security card. When she crossed the border she received a letter that stated that she should receive a social security number within three weeks. It hasn't come yet.

So we visited our local social security office and they claim that she didn't have a card coming so we applied for a social security number. That card should come in "4-6" weeks but we are worried because it seems we need a social security number to apply for a green card and her I-94 runs out on July 7th. At the social security office they said we should have applied for a SSN as soon as she got here but I thought we did that when we applied for a K-1 visa.

Also, they said that we need to call the department of Homeland Security to change my fiance's last name to my last name if we want to get a SS card with her married last name on it. But who do we call? The USCIS line only gives us automated responses. It says there are operators available but I can't get to one.

Is it possible to apply for a Green Card without a SSN? Provided the SSN does come within six weeks, we still can make it but that is cutting it pretty close.

Thanks.

I think the check box on the application form only means something for IR/CR-1 visas. K visas don't get a SSN until they go to the SS office and apply.

You don't need the SSN to AOS.

Edited May 21, 2009 by Ed+Cindy

[Otto 83]

• The K1 would not automatically receive a SS card (as you found out).
• A social security card/number IS NOT required to file for AOS/EAD or AP.
• As for the last name change - apply for AOS/EAD and/or AP with the 'new' last name and wait until you get either the EAD or PR/Green card to go back to the SSA and get a new card in the new name.

[SMR 368]

So in order to AOS without a SSN, I just leave the parts where it asks for a SSN blank?

[Otto 83]

So in order to AOS without a SSN, I just leave the parts where it asks for a SSN blank?

Yes (Or write "none") It isn't required - it is simply there for those who already have one.

[SMR 368]

Thank you.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My wife and I applied for a K-1 visa and she had her interview on March 31st, 2009. We were married in the US on the 16th of April. When we filled out the K-1 visa paperwork we checked the box for a social security card. When she crossed the border she received a letter that stated that she should receive a social security number within three weeks. It hasn't come yet.

So we visited our local social security office and they claim that she didn't have a card coming so we applied for a social security number. That card should come in "4-6" weeks but we are worried because it seems we need a social security number to apply for a green card and her I-94 runs out on July 7th. At the social security office they said we should have applied for a SSN as soon as she got here but I thought we did that when we applied for a K-1 visa.

Also, they said that we need to call the department of Homeland Security to change my fiance's last name to my last name if we want to get a SS card with her married last name on it. But who do we call? The USCIS line only gives us automated responses. It says there are operators available but I can't get to one.

Is it possible to apply for a Green Card without a SSN? Provided the SSN does come within six weeks, we still can make it but that is cutting it pretty close.

Thanks.

You do not need the SSN for the AOS, relax about that.

Go back to the SS office and ask to speak to a supervisor. My wife applied for card the day after she arrived and received it in the mail 6 DAYS later. K-1s are eligible for an SSN immediately, but you DO have to apply for one. They will not issue a SSN if her I-94 is within 14 days of expiration. DO NOT attempt to get the card in her married name. Use her name as in the passport and then change the name AFTER you have your green card.

Apply for her green card in her married name and when you have the card in her married name, then go to SS and change her name. No need to "call" anyone.

Edited May 21, 2009 by Gary and Alla

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

moved from K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures to Working & Traveling prior to getting a Green Card

This section also covers getting a Social Security Number (SSN) and is for general discussion on all these topics.

[I'm Gone 60]

Also, they said that we need to call the department of Homeland Security to change my fiance's last name to my last name if we want to get a SS card with her married last name on it.

BS Go back and ask for a manager.

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

When an alien applies for an SSN card, presume 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.

D4. Name Change to a Name Different From Name on Immigration Document

Monica Mumma Stottlemyer applies for a replacement SSN card in her married name. She:

-- Completes an SS-5 showing her first name as Monica, her middle name as Mumma, and her last name as Smith;

-- Completes the other names used field, showing that name as “Monica (first name), Mumma Stottlemyer (last name);”

-- Signs the SS-5 as “Monica M. Smith;”

-- Submits a U.S. marriage document showing Monica Mumma Stottlemyer and John Smith married last week (the marriage document shows the dates of birth for Monica and John);

-- Submits a driver's license with her photograph that shows the name Monica M. Smith; and

-- Submits a DHS employment authorization card with her photograph and showing her name as “Mumma Stottlemyer, Monica.”

The U.S. marriage document supports the legal name change and is acceptable evidence of identity in both the old name and the new name because it shows biographical data (date of birth) that can be compared to the Numident record. Further, the name to be shown on the SSN card agrees with the name on the additional identity document in the new legal name (the driver's license).

SSA can process the name change request. Process the SS-5 to have the name “Monica (first name) Mumma (middle name) Smith (last name) to be shown in the card and enter “Monica (first name) Mumma Stottlemyer (compound surname) as an “other name used.” The compound surname must be entered the same way it is shown on the immigration document. Advise the NH to also contact DHS to change her surname to “Smith” with that agency.

Notice it says advise, not must.

[SMR 368]

When we were at the SS office, we applied for a card already. The man told us that we can't get a card in her married name yet so we did it in her maiden name.

We will apply for AOS/greencard in her married name now and then once we get the greencard and SS card, we go back to SS office and get a new SS card with her married name. Is that correct?