"We cannot issue you a social security card"

[WelshDave86 0]

Hey Guys!!

I already have a Social Security Number/Card from having 2 J1 visas so I assume i won't need to apply for a new one.

As you can't work until you get your EAD anyway, what are the advantages to having a SS beforehand?

Dyfed

[Mehdi + Olympia 0]

I just had to reply because I am just so frustrated for you.

We were under the impression you needed to be married 1st to get a social security #. So we went the 1st business day after we were married. They told us my husband is not eligible for a social security card because he came on a fiance visa and he is no longer my fiance, he's my husband. They told us that if he had come the day before we were married he could have gotten one, but now its too late, we needed to file for adjustment of status 1st. I called the 800 # for social security and they confirmed this was true. My suggestion is to call the 800 # like we did and advise them of what they told you at the office. They should be able to tell you exactly what you need to do.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hey Guys!!

I already have a Social Security Number/Card from having 2 J1 visas so I assume i won't need to apply for a new one.

As you can't work until you get your EAD anyway, what are the advantages to having a SS beforehand?

Dyfed

Because some states require it for a marriage licence.. like the state I'm getting married in, so I need it now

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I just had to reply because I am just so frustrated for you.

We were under the impression you needed to be married 1st to get a social security #. So we went the 1st business day after we were married. They told us my husband is not eligible for a social security card because he came on a fiance visa and he is no longer my fiance, he's my husband. They told us that if he had come the day before we were married he could have gotten one, but now its too late, we needed to file for adjustment of status 1st. I called the 800 # for social security and they confirmed this was true. My suggestion is to call the 800 # like we did and advise them of what they told you at the office. They should be able to tell you exactly what you need to do.

Wow, this is good to know.

I was going to marry then get my SSN... now I see why they suggest you do it before marriage.

Thank you for this very useful tidbit of info.

[JamalNTam 1]

Hey Guys!!

I already have a Social Security Number/Card from having 2 J1 visas so I assume i won't need to apply for a new one.

As you can't work until you get your EAD anyway, what are the advantages to having a SS beforehand?

Dyfed

I needed it to get my drivers license, to enroll into my college, to get my military dependant ID and to be put on my husbands bank account ... I also needed it to start establishing my credit here in the US.

[reeses16 8]

Attaya,

Try another SS Office. You did everything thing correctly. My hubby applied for his SSN a few days after we were married without an problems (Which is the complete opposite of what someone else reported). My hubby too came on a K1.

In the event that you are not successful at a different office. Try not to worry, its inconvenient but not a huge deal:

(1) you can get married without your hubby to be having a SSN. We were married in Louisiana, which requires SSN for both parties and a 72 hr wait. When I called the clerks office and explained that my hubby was a USC and did not have a social, I was told that we could get that waived by a judge and the 72 hr wait. When we went to apply for our marriage license were were sent to the judges office and it took all of 10 minutes to get the approvals and get our license.

(2) He can have access to money via cash or debit card (it would have you name on it). Or add him as a authorized user on a credit card (No SSN required).

(3) Until he has his work authorization he can't work, so there is no real reason to get the SSN.

Keep trying! But if they still give you a hard time, you can get by in the meantime.

[Freddy007 1]

Don't worry. No need to do it. Actually if you get it before marriage and green card it's hell. best to wait .

[I'm Gone 60]

I just had to reply because I am just so frustrated for you.

We were under the impression you needed to be married 1st to get a social security #. So we went the 1st business day after we were married. They told us my husband is not eligible for a social security card because he came on a fiance visa and he is no longer my fiance, he's my husband.

At which SSA office did the idiots tell you this? 800# also doesn't know what the hell they are talking about.

OK if you didn't actual submit an application, you have two options. One go back to that office and speak with a manager and tell him or her to read RM 00203.500C1 and where does it say a K-1 isn't eligible after they marry. Two try another office ditch the wedding rings and don't say anything about being married.

[I'm Gone 60]

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

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

[anitacastillo 0]

OP - where in CA are you? We had no problem at the Oakland office. Suggest you try another office. Maybe your office didn't understand that the SS card will have the "not authorized to work" phrase on it.

Old Dominion - this is your experience in VA. Here in CA it was necessary for my husband to have for a bank account and helpful at other times.

Having a SS card seems pointless, until a work permit (EAD) is issued. Get the EAD, and everything falls into place.

In this day and age, a SSN entitles you to a $1 cup of coffee just like everyone else...it has no value by itself. You can't get a State ID or driver's license with it, a bank will open an account without it....and it's not necessary for a marriage license.

Whoever asked - no you cannot work on a K-1 --- unless they received the EAD stamp on entry -- which is rare. However if a K-1 holder gets a SS# before married and then receives the EAD (which is pretty quick after AOS is filed) then can work and once have GC have language easily removed. I have read about people who wait until after marriage/AOS having more of a delay. But there is no requirement is get it before marriage.

[attaya_girl 1]

Thanks for all the helpful advice, everyone. I did bring the I-94 (just didn't mention it since it's stapled right across from the visa), along with the print-out, etc. They were stuck on the work authorization and insisted he couldn't have a card unless authorized to work. I explained to them that with a K-1, he didn't need the work authorization, etc. Also, I don't live in California, but in a small town where they don't have a lot of exposure to K-1 visas (my guess). I'm planning on going to a bigger city on Tuesday and bringing all the information with me there. This Social Security office apparently(I just found this out) has a reputation for screwing things up, so I'm not going to bother trying again with them. I will, however, return when my fiance has his card in hand to show that it is possible and that maybe they should have read the paperwork I gave them.

Again, thanks for all the advice!

[Old Dominion 26]

No state can deny a marriage license if both parties don't have SSNs. Even US citizens are not required to have SSNs unless they work. No state requires a SSN as a condition to obtaining a driving permit; rather, they all need hard evidence that you are in the US legally, which usually means the EAD. Any respectable bank has a way around requiring an SSN, since many foreign nationals have accounts in the US for business/professional reasons.

In short, needing to have the SSN at once is a myth.

[attaya_girl 1]

Just to give an update, we went to a different social security office today-one that was nearly 2 hours away, but it was so worth it. When our number was called, the woman was extremely friendly, took my fiance's information, and in less than 10 minutes, we were out the door with a receipt stating that we should expect the Social Security card in within two weeks.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Thats good to hear, sorry that you had to drive so far for it.

[I'm Gone 60]

.On the form you can check YES to be issued a SS card but someone wrote that this does not pertain to K-1 visa holders. So will we or will we not get a social security number issued if we check YES. Will we still have to go to SS Admin office to get one?

I assume you are asking about the questions on the DS-230. That is only for people that have been issued an immigrant visa and all K visas are nonimmigrant visas.

K-1s must apply in person at an SSA office or Card Center for the original SSN and card application.