SSN, DL and Immigration Name Issues

[Hugglebuggles 60]

My frustration lies in the fact I already have a card, so I'm obviously eligible to have one, I have changed my name with USCIS and they are fully aware of it, which is proven by the fact I have documents from them addressed to me in my married name. I went for my bio appointment a couple weeks ago and again confirmed the name change. I just don't understand why there is any question, that's all. To me its right here in front of them. But you're right, employees only do what they are told. She said she didn't understand why it wasn't changed in the system but that she couldn't do anything about it. Perhaps it is a flaw with the system more than a flaw with the person or office processing it. I think I'll give it a week or two then start to inquire. I was given a piece of paper explaining it but it just confuses me more... It says that I have applied for a SSN and they must verify my immigration status. I already have an SSN and I brought them my EAD, is that not prof enough? Maybe its just a generic letter given to cover themselves for a number of reasons.

I can totally see your frustration. But the thing is that they know you are eligible, and they know you are a legal immigrant, but they still have to verify that. It's a process that they have to follow. One thing that I've noticed here are that each government bureau, follows their own set of rules and to them, they don't really care about differing circumstances.

The DMV doesn't care what the SS office does and the SS office doesn't care what the USCIS does.

It's really a vicious circle.

Very true. I suppose an inefficient bureaucracy isn't just a Canadian thing

The identity document used to establish the old name must match the name on the current SSN record. The identity document is acceptable even if over two years old or expired.

Note: Refer the Social Security office personnel to EM-06064, which was issued 10/02/2006 and EM-07045, which was issued 07/03/2007 for the current procedures regarding name changes based on marriage.

Thanks for the link!

The policy states:

C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name

When issuing immigration documents, the Department of State and DHS issue them in the person’s legal name. The legal name is also generally the name in which the foreign passport was issued.

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.

In cases where an alien applies for a replacement SSN card and submits an immigration document showing a name that is different from the name on the prior Numident record, accept the immigration document as evidence of the legal name. In these cases, the prior SSN card may have been issued in a name that was not the NH’s legal name.

EXCEPTION: For foreign students (F-1 and M-1) consider the name on Form I-20 the legal name. For exchange visitors (J-1), consider the name on the DS-2019 the legal name.

My DS-2019 is in my maiden name, and that's the form they want me to have updated. Am I reading this right that I do not have to have that form updated? I'm going to try at the USCIS office on Saturday but I'm not convinced they will want to issue me a new one in my new name?

If I don't get the card in the next week or so I'm going to print this off and go down there. Given that, there should be no reason why I couldn't have been issued a new card on the spot... unless there is more to it that I'm not seeing.

[Miranda&John 0]

Did you have any success Hugglebuggles?

I'm going to take the SSN Policy and try on Wednesday....

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Funny you posted in here today! I got home and found my SSN sitting in my mailbox. It took 3 weeks but I got it! Hopefully I can go get the DL on Friday.

Still nothing for you guys? How long has it been?

[Miranda&John 0]

Well, I went into the Modesto SSO today. I was called up to the window right away. As soon as I told her I was on J-1 status and my maiden name was on my DS-2019, she told me I would need to have that changed or my application couldn't be processed.

I showed her the email that I received from the SSA stating that as long as I had a valid I-94, DS-2019 and marriage document that it could be done. I showed her the policy that Kitkit posted the link to in this thread. I said "If you read here, it says that as long as I show proof of legal authorization to work and proof of name change with biographical information, you can issue me a new card". She kept saying "that's not how I interpret it. I interpret it as <insert BS here>". This went on for about 20 minutes and I asked to speak with a manager.

The girl was gone for another 20 minutes and came back with the manager who told me I didn't know what I was talking about. She explained that if they try and process my application, it will not go through the system and will be hung up until my name is changed with DHS because the system checks the names against eachother. I said, if that was the case, why did two separate SSA reps email me evidence to the contrary? The manager took away the emails and was gone for another 15 minutes.

She comes back and says "I'm going to let the customer rep put this through the system and it will automatically be placed on hold, so I will contact the regional office who really know their stuff. If they say to override it and push it through then I will". Then she left.

The original girl at the window took my information and processed the application (I actually had stupidly forgot the ORIGINAL DS-2019 at home and had picked up my daughter's instead, but always carry a photocopy in my purse which I put on the counter underneath the pile hoping she wouldn't notice it was a photocopy -- and she didn't!... or she wanted to just get me out of her face).

Anyway, she input all my information and it got sent to the printer. She comes back with the paper in hand and said "well isn't that weird... it went through the system. If this is the case, we will have to have a big meeting and send out notices because we were under the impression that we couldn't do that".

So... we'll see in under 2 weeks whether it worked for sure or not. I'll believe it when I see it. In any event, I still have my SSN in my maiden name so I'm not very worried. I'd just like to change my bank account, apply for my drivers license, etc.

I can think of better ways to have spent my afternoon!

[Krikit 1,164]

She kept saying "that's not how I interpret it. I interpret it as <insert BS here>".

Glad it went through, Miranda! Congrats on getting yours too, Huggles!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

So I'm back again with even more problems.

After recieving my SSN I tried to go down to the Jefferson County DMV to get my license changed over. I have all the documents they need: an EAD, a SSN in my married name, the NOA from filling AOS, my passport, everything. The lady processed me for a couple minutes, had me sign some forms, got me to take the eye test, recorded my emergency contact, great, I thought I was going to walk out of there with everything processed and completed. But of course not, this is me afterall. Apparently when she tried to run my name through their immigration verification system I didn't pass. Apparently even after adjusting status in my married name, being sent an EAD in my married name, and then having the SSN office manually varify my identy and name they still have me in the system in my maiden name. This means that the lady at the DMV could not process me. She said eventhough I have all the right pieces of identification and have proven my status, theres nothing she can do.

She gave me a piece of paper I'm suposed to take down to one of the 8 special "S.A.V.E" offices in the state, show them my EAD and have them manually varify a. that its real and b. I am who I say I am. Great. The problem is that they are only open Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8:30 to 3:30 and close for an hour at lunch. How is anyone with a life (and without a drivers license) suposed to make it to the office in their little window? So my husband moved some things around today and took me down there around 2:30 today to try and get it done. But guess what? They decided to close for the day. Fantastic. To make things even better, it says on the later that it can take them 2-9 weeks to get back to me and let me know if I passed the immigration systems test. Then I need to go back down to the DMV and reapply. To make it even better 80% of people pass the S.A.V.E test on the spot at the DMV, but not me. No, I can't be in the vast majority now can I?

All of this stuff is really starting to bring me down. I just want to get a license so I an get a normal job and have a normal life.

[Krikit 1,164]

Good grief, Huggles. This is ridiculous!

I know what you are going through so here is a hug. ((((((((((Huggles))))))))))) I thought I would lose my mind that first year, going through all that ######. bahhh

The nice thing is that it all passes. Not much fun when you're in the midst of it all, though. Sorry.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Good grief, Huggles. This is ridiculous!

I know what you are going through so here is a hug. ((((((((((Huggles))))))))))) I thought I would lose my mind that first year, going through all that ######. bahhh

The nice thing is that it all passes. Not much fun when you're in the midst of it all, though. Sorry.

Thanks Krikit Its just driving me insane. I feel like my life is in limbo and there's nothing I can do about it. But you're right, it will pass, I'm trying to keep my chin up!

[Miranda&John 0]

Wow, sorry to hear that. I wonder if I'm going to have the same problem