SSN before getting married

[darstar 0]

The K-1 flowchart indicates that K-1 visa holders should get there SSN before getting married. Is a SSN required for marriage in the U.S.???

[john_and_marlene 162]

The K-1 flowchart indicates that K-1 visa holders should get there SSN before getting married. Is a SSN required for marriage in the U.S.???

It varies by state. Check the requirements for getting a marriage license in your state.

[I'm Gone 60]

Still apply for the SSN ASAP regardless.

[darstar 0]

Still apply for the SSN ASAP regardless.

Well the guide says that you should wait approx. 2 weeks upon entry into the US to apply for a SSN to allow information to flow to the appropriate databases. So if that's the case, it's looking like I can't get married for close to a month after my fiancee's arrival.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Still apply for the SSN ASAP regardless.

Well the guide says that you should wait approx. 2 weeks upon entry into the US to apply for a SSN to allow information to flow to the appropriate databases. So if that's the case, it's looking like I can't get married for close to a month after my fiancee's arrival.

Does your state require an SSN for a marriage license?

There are always options in other states that do not require residency or an SSN. Both Oklahoma and Nevada do not require an SSN and do not require residency. I'm sure there are others.

[I'm Gone 60]

Still apply for the SSN ASAP regardless.

Well the guide says that you should wait approx. 2 weeks upon entry into the US to apply for a SSN to allow information to flow to the appropriate databases. So if that's the case, it's looking like I can't get married for close to a month after my fiancee's arrival.

If you want to wait a couple weeks that's fine, but not required. You lost me on how the waiting two weeks means you can't get married for a month. Plus just because you apply for an SSN, you aren't 100% guaranteed to be assigned one.

SSA will not assign an SSN or issue a card in your status has expired or is within 14 days of expiring.

K-1 status is good for 90 days, so that only gives you 76 days to be

assigned an SSN and issued a card. After that time you will need an EAD

or I-551 card to establish authorization to work. Before that time the

I-94 showing K-1 status is the document that establishes authorization

to work for SSN purposes.

The status/documents of all aliens must be verified before SSA will

assign an SSN and/or issue a card and the 14 day limit applies even if

you pass the 76th day while waiting for your status to be verified.

The SSA office will try to verify your status through the SAVE system

while you are in the office. If they can't, they will send a form G-845

to immigration for manual verification. This could delay the assigning

of an SSN and/or issuing a card for weeks and some times months.

If the SSA office does send the G-845, I suggest that you go back to the SSA office no more that once week with your documents to (1) ask them to check SAVE again (2) ask if they sent a G-845 (3) if yes, did it come back (4) after 30 days ask if they have followed up on the G-845 by calling or sending another mark “second request.”

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203720

RM 00203.720 Verifying Immigration Documents

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203735

RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE

You can try calling the SSA Regional Office if you have waited at least 30 days and your local SSA office doesn't seem to be concerned about following up on the G-845

http://www.ssa.gov/otherssasites/

Refer them to:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203740

RM 00203.740 Requesting Additional (Manual) Verification By DHS

Step 6

DHS should respond to SSA within 15 federal work days after receiving the Form G-845. If DHS does not respond within 15 federal work days from the receipt of the G-845 from SSA, follow-up with the DHS, USCIS Immigration Status office. (Allow 15 days plus five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS. Follow local practice to follow-up with DHS.

Some SSA offices have an arrangement with the DHS, USCIS office to telephone for the follow-up contact; other SSA offices send a copy of the original G-845 annotated “second request.”) If the DHS response is still not received within 15 federal work days after the follow-up contact (if the follow-up is by mail allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS), make a second follow-up contact. If the DHS response is not received within 15 federal workdays (again, if the follow-up is by mail, allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS), after two follow-ups, contact the Regional Office (RO). Also report to the RO any trend that shows a serious deviation by DHS from the above time frames. The RO will consult with central office.

[darstar 0]

Wow thanks for the detailed info.

Yes, it is the SAVE system and avoiding manual verification which is what I believe I've read that waiting 2 weeks from entry can help avoid. My extrapolation to one month from 2 weeks was to estimate the time it takes to have an SSN issued (though this is only a guess).

My fiancee is scheduled to arrive in the US with her K-1 on July 14th, so the issue of status expiration should not apply to her.

As far as EAD. we were planning to apply at the same time as we apply for AOS.

I guess I need to first find out if an SSN is needed to get married in California and, if so, not go for the SSN too soon before her info is in the SAVE system.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I guess I need to first find out if an SSN is needed to get married in California

Excellent idea

[darstar 0]

I guess I need to first find out if an SSN is needed to get married in California

Excellent idea

[john_and_marlene 162]

I guess I need to first find out if an SSN is needed to get married in California

Excellent idea

Have I steered you wrong yet? Not even when I said your lawyer was wrong and told you to go ahead with the interview.

[I'm Gone 60]

Have I steered you wrong yet? Not even when I said your lawyer was wrong and told you to go ahead with the interview.

Yeah how could you possibly be wrong with 9 squares and a heart. LOL

Edited July 5, 2006 by mdyoung

[darstar 0]

OK. It seems as if a passport and birth cert will do. That being said, is would then seem to be prudent to get married ASAP and not allow delays in issuing a SSN to cut into the 90-day K-1 period, n'est pas?

Here is the info from the CA website for reference to anyone interested:

Welcome to the State of California, Department of Health Services web page. This web page will give you general information regarding the requirements for the issuance and registration of public and confidential marriage licenses in California, as well as answer many frequently asked questions regarding the laws pertaining to marriage licenses and ceremonies in California. For further information, please contact the County Clerk or County Recorder’s Office in the county where you will be applying for the marriage license.

General Information

You do not need to be a California resident to marry in California.

Only an unmarried male and an unmarried female may marry in California.

Blood tests are NOT required to obtain a marriage license in California.

Both parties must appear in person and bring valid picture identification to the County Clerk’s Office to apply for a marriage license in California. Valid picture identification is one that contains a photograph, date of birth, and an issue and expiration date, such as a state issued identification card, drivers license, passport, military identification, etc. Some counties may also require a copy of your birth certificate.

Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do not get married within 90 days, the license will no longer be valid. You must purchase a new license.

Many County Clerks in California perform civil marriage ceremonies in their offices. For further information regarding civil marriage ceremonies, please contact the County Clerk’s Office directly to see if they provide this service.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Have I steered you wrong yet? Not even when I said your lawyer was wrong and told you to go ahead with the interview.

Yeah how could you possibly be wrong with 9 squares and a heart. LOL

At least the majority of my posts are not in off topic.

[darstar 0]

I guess I need to first find out if an SSN is needed to get married in California

Excellent idea

Have I steered you wrong yet? Not even when I said your lawyer was wrong and told you to go ahead with the interview.

No, your word is Gospel to me now

[gtigiant 0]

HELP! I just read this thread and I looked at the County Website I am in and it states that

Both parties are required to be present at the time of making the application for the marriage license. If either, or both applicants are physically incapacitated, their physician must complete and affidavit as to the physical disability, and this affidavit shall be filed with the application for the marriage license.

Each applicant must provide a social security number.

So this puts the wedding off by a month? That is could be extremely difficult. Any ideas?