question about already having an american social security number

[domegirl1978 1]

Hi everyone! I don't know if anyone has the answer to this question.

I graduated from college in the U.S. and had a social security number assigned to me when i started school there. I still have this ssn but it is stamped not valid for work.

When I move back do I just have to go down to the social security office and have that condition removed off the card by showing my AOS papers when I file for that?

When some of you have moved down did yours say not valid for work until you got your work permit and then they changed it or was it just the card with the number?

thanks everybody!

[July09Bride 1]

Hi everyone! I don't know if anyone has the answer to this question.

I graduated from college in the U.S. and had a social security number assigned to me when i started school there. I still have this ssn but it is stamped not valid for work.

When I move back do I just have to go down to the social security office and have that condition removed off the card by showing my AOS papers when I file for that?

When some of you have moved down did yours say not valid for work until you got your work permit and then they changed it or was it just the card with the number?

thanks everybody!

One thing I can tell you is they won't issue you a new number. Once you have a SSN, it is your for life. Other than that, I can't help you very much. With the SSN, you should be able to establish credit, etc. So, you are one step ahead of most others going through AoS!

[kcoyclay1 98]

Hi everyone! I don't know if anyone has the answer to this question.

I graduated from college in the U.S. and had a social security number assigned to me when i started school there. I still have this ssn but it is stamped not valid for work.

When I move back do I just have to go down to the social security office and have that condition removed off the card by showing my AOS papers when I file for that?

When some of you have moved down did yours say not valid for work until you got your work permit and then they changed it or was it just the card with the number?

thanks everybody!

Yes you will have to apply to have the restrictions removed when you get your GC. You cannot show AOS papers to get it removed. There are three types of SS Card issued:

(1)The one for school purposes that does not allow you to work in the US (you have that one)

(2)The one legal residents receive while AOS is pending. This is the one you apply for when you get you EAD. In your case you will need to apply so that they change the restrictions allowing you to work, seeing that you already have a SS Card

(3)The one with no restrictions that Citizens and permanent residents receive to work and travel. (For those who received their SS# using their EAD they will have to apply to remove the restrictions)

If you look at my attached timeline you will see that I applied for my SS Card when I received my EAD then applied to remove restrictions after I received my GC. Hope this information helped you.

Edited May 25, 2009 by kcoyclay1

[domegirl1978 1]

Thanks KCoy! I will use my ssn number that I have already to open my bank accounts and apply for credit cards and the like. At least I can do a few things right when I move and save myself a trip to the ssn office until I have the GC in hand.

[jundp 191]

My husband went to high school in the US and had a SS card then with his green card. When we got married, he got a new card (same # of course) and it still says "not valid for work without DHS authorization." I don't think that's removed from the SS card until you have naturalized.

[domegirl1978 1]

I don't understand why it wouldn't be removed as soon as I have work authorization.

If I actually got a job and had my work permit and an employer wanted to verify my SSN then it would be a big pain in the butt to have to explain why it says not valid for work if they did not remove that. I might not even get the job and look like a big fat liar which I would not be.

I will contact the SSN office in Florida tomorrow in the area where I will be living and ask them. I don't see what becoming a citizen would have to do with anything considering I'll be married and a legal permanent resident with permission to work.

[jundp 191]

I don't know. I can only tell you our experience. Even with his GC, the SS card still bears that comment. His GC is his work authorization, however, and it hasn't been a problem with his employer.

[Emancipation 2]

I had one issued to me in the late 90's but I had lost the card. I did manage to track down the number from the nearest Social Security # and I used that in my applications, they issued me a new card with my married name on it when I went to the SS office a couple of weeks after we were married.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Once you get your green card the work authorization restriction can be removed, you don't have to wait for naturalization.

[FaK 0]

I was in the exact situation. All I did was go to the SS Office with my Old ss card and IR Visa. They took the old card made a copy of my IR Visa and gave me a letter as proof of ss no. I recieved a new card with the same number (but without the Valid for work line) within 3 weeks.

[chadlaure 2]

I got a SSN when i went to college in the US as well (under a J1 so no work either)

How does it work once we're married to get the new name on it ?

Can I go to the SSN office right after we're married and before/during filing AOS to get the name updated?

[domegirl1978 1]

Thanks FaK. I was going to call today but realized it is Memorial Day. I'll give the ssn office a call tomorrow just to confirm that but I figured that was what would happen.

[Moosker 7]

Hey, I had the same situation as you, I went to school in the U.S. and worked there for a year afterwards. I still have that same SSN but it says on it "Valid for DHS Work Auth Only" --or something along those lines!

Basically when filling out the papers they ask if you already have a SSN, yes, would you like another one after you get your green card? Yes.

So they'll be sending me a new one without any conditions, in my new name. You should get the same thing too. If not, contact your SS office, they're pretty good about easily giving you a new one if you have all of your papers.

Good luck

[Emancipation 2]

How does it work once we're married to get the new name on it ?

Can I go to the SSN office right after we're married and before/during filing AOS to get the name updated?

Yes exactly.. I think with K-1 you have to wait a couple of weeks after landing in the US for your K-1 to show up in the SS office computers (seem to recall).

[chadlaure 2]

But once we have our wedding certificate and before I get the GC, could I go to the SSN office and ask for a new SSN card with my new name just for bank, phone stuff? It still will have the work conditions things i guess. And then in the AOS papers, I will also ask for a new one so i can have the work conditions removed