Changing name at Social Security and DMV...

[marie09 5]

Hey you guys,

So I was going to goto the DMV this week and change my name. I got married a few weeks back and filed for AOS and my work visa expires today...

My CA DL is good for 4 years so I was thinking I should change the name make things easier for when i need correct ID and I could take it to the biometrics apt too as it will be my only id with my married name on.

I just checked online what I needed, and it said I would need to change my name with SS first. As far as i'm aware I can't change my name with SS until I have my EAD. Since my work visa will as of tomorrow be expired. Is this all correct?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Greg001 0]

Hey you guys,

So I was going to goto the DMV this week and change my name. I got married a few weeks back and filed for AOS and my work visa expires today...

My CA DL is good for 4 years so I was thinking I should change the name make things easier for when i need correct ID and I could take it to the biometrics apt too as it will be my only id with my married name on.

I just checked online what I needed, and it said I would need to change my name with SS first. As far as i'm aware I can't change my name with SS until I have my EAD. Since my work visa will as of tomorrow be expired. Is this all correct?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Marie,

We were able to change the name on the SSN with just the certified marriage certificate.

Also, we had our bio this week. The bio appt letter was in the married name. The only ID they looked at was the passport (still in the maiden name). They didn't ask for any proof of ID in the married name.

If you don't get your CA DL changed by your bio appt, you can bring along your marriage certificate to show the change of name.

Greg

[marie09 5]

Hey you guys,

So I was going to goto the DMV this week and change my name. I got married a few weeks back and filed for AOS and my work visa expires today...

My CA DL is good for 4 years so I was thinking I should change the name make things easier for when i need correct ID and I could take it to the biometrics apt too as it will be my only id with my married name on.

I just checked online what I needed, and it said I would need to change my name with SS first. As far as i'm aware I can't change my name with SS until I have my EAD. Since my work visa will as of tomorrow be expired. Is this all correct?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Marie,

We were able to change the name on the SSN with just the certified marriage certificate.

Also, we had our bio this week. The bio appt letter was in the married name. The only ID they looked at was the passport (still in the maiden name). They didn't ask for any proof of ID in the married name.

If you don't get your CA DL changed by your bio appt, you can bring along your marriage certificate to show the change of name.

Greg

Greg,

Thank you so much you are awesome - that is so good to know!

I am totally going to try and change my name with SS then. Not sure if I will get chance b4 the bio apt though, as our SS office is an hour away whereas the DMV is 5 minutes away. Though the SS office is in the same city as where i'll get the biometrics done so may combine the 2.

Thank you again! So helpful!

[Greg001 0]

Greg,

Thank you so much you are awesome - that is so good to know!

I am totally going to try and change my name with SS then. Not sure if I will get chance b4 the bio apt though, as our SS office is an hour away whereas the DMV is 5 minutes away. Though the SS office is in the same city as where i'll get the biometrics done so may combine the 2.

Thank you again! So helpful!

Good luck Marie. I know the various offices seem to do things differently. We were able to get the SSN with just the K1 visa (didn't have marriage certificate back from the county yet). Then it was easy to change the name. Don't have the DL yet.

Greg

[I'm Gone 60]

SSA will not assign an SSN or issue a card to an individual that is within 14 days of his or her alien status expiring. Until the 76th day after entry an individual with K-1 status only needs to provide an unexpired I-94 showing current K-1 status to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

Once, an individual that entered the United States with K-1 status has been in the United States 76 days he or she will need another document, for example, Form I-551, Form I-766, to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500#C1

RM 00203.410 Evidence of Alien Status for an SSN Card for an Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410

The marriage document establishes the name change if it meets the following criteria:

-- The new name can be derived from the marriage document, i.e. bride

takes the groom’s last name, groom takes bride’s last name, compound

name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse’s original name for

either or both parties.

Note: The type of name change requested must also be allowable under state law, for example, groom taking bride’s last name.

-- The marriage occurred within the past two years

-- The marriage document shows sufficient identifying information, for

example, biographical data such as age, date of birth or parent's

names), and

-- The identifying information matches the information on his/her

Social Security number (Numident) record.

The applicant may need to submit an identity document in the old name along with the marriage document if:

-- The marriage occurred within the last two years and has biographical

information, for example, age, date of birth or parent's names which

does not match our records, for example, the SSN record.

-- The marriage occurred within the last two years, but does not show

biographical information, or

-- The marriage occurred over two years ago (with or without

biographical information.

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.

This is in addition to proof of current lawful employment authorized status.

RM 00203.210 C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name:

When an alien applies for an SSN card, we presume the name on the immigration document is the legal name unless the applicant presents evidence of a legal name change, for example, marriage, which 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 SSN record, we can 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 number holder’s legal name.

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

When requesting an SSN card, the documents presented, as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence.

The documents acceptable as evidence of identity are now based on three factors: (1) the applicant’s age, (2) the applicant’s citizenship/alien status, and (3) the relative value of documents.

Primary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (includes temporary I-551

Stamp in combination with an unexpired foreign passport when the I-

551 Permanent Resident Card has not yet been issued)

-- Form I-94, Arrival/departure Record in combination with an unexpired

foreign passport

-- Form I-766, Employment Authorization card

Note: Document must be unexpired

Secondary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Unexpired valid U.S. driver’s license (excludes licenses known to be

suspended or revoked)

-- U.S. State issued non-driver identity card (issued by the same State

agency which issues driver’s licenses/State-level agency with

issuing authority over the State’s identity card and not expired)

-- Marriage document showing in addition to the applicant’s name

either the applicant’s date of birth ( DOB) or age

-- Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or hospital) or

letter providing extract data from the medical record showing in

addition to the applicant’s name, the applicant’s DOB or age

-- Health insurance or Medicaid card showing, in addition to the

person’s name, either a photograph of the person or his/her DOB

-- School identity card or record (for current school year) showing, in

addition to the applicant’s name, either a photograph of the

applicant or the applicant’s DOB

-- Life insurance policy for the person showing his/her age or DOB.

However, the acceptability of an identity document must be evaluated on a case by case basis by the office processing the application.

You can find detailed information regarding evidence that establishes identity on the SSA Web site:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203200

SSA cannot accept an application filing receipt or notice of action as evidence of an immigration document.

Take the required documents to the nearest Social Security office or Card Center.

You can obtain the address and directions to the nearest Social Security office from the Social Security Office Locator, which is available on the Internet:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

Applicants who live or receive mail in the Brooklyn, NY, Queens, NY, Phoenix, AZ, Orlando, FL, Sacramento, CA, or Las Vegas, NV area should apply at their local Social Security Card Center.

Individuals residing in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area should apply at the Twin Cities Card Center.

Card Center Information:

http://www.ssa.gov/cardcenters/cardcenterinfo.html

Normally, an SSN card should be received in the mail within two weeks after the application and document(s) have been received and verified.

However, when an alien requests an SSN or replacement card, SSA must verify his or her documents/current status with the appropriate bureau of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If the initial online verification is not possible through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, SSA may need to send a Form G-845 to the appropriate bureau of DHS for manual verification.

Social Security field offices can submit an additional electronic online verification, which with the majority of applications eliminates the need to send a Form G-845 along with a copy of the applicant’s immigration documents.

However, some applications still require a copy of the immigration document(s) to be mailed to the appropriate bureau of DHS along with Form G-845 for manual verification.

Note: If the applicant has changed his/her name after an immigration document, for example, Form I-94, was issued, for example, married and is now using the married name, but has not obtained a corrected immigration document showing the new name; this is not a name discrepancy for enumeration purposes, that is, SAVE clearance, if the applicant can provide an acceptable legal name change document to establish the new name.

The 14 day status expiration limit for assigning an SSN and/or issuing a card applies even if an individual submitted his or her application before being within the 14 day period and entered the 14 day period while waiting for his or her status to be verified.

All cards are mailed from Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland to the postal address provided on the application.

Even though you cannot be issued an SSN card without proof of current work authorization, you may be able to have the name corrected on your SSN record.

RM 00203.510 D4 Correcting Numident Data When a Replacement Card Cannot Be Issued

If the alien does not provide evidence of work authorization or a valid nonwork reason, explain that no replacement card can be issued.

Although a replacement card cannot be issued, the Numident can be corrected if the alien has provided documentation supporting the change, e.g., a name change.

If the alien provides documentation supporting the change, process the SS-5 to update the Numident information but suppress the issuance of a card.

RM 00203.510 Alien without Work Authorization - Nonwork Need for an SSN:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203510#D4

Once your SSN record has been corrected, you can request an SSN Verification Printout, which will provide you with proof of your SSN and the name that currently appears on the record until you are eligible to be issued an SSN card.

[marie09 5]

Hi Marie,

We were able to change the name on the SSN with just the certified marriage certificate.

Also, we had our bio this week. The bio appt letter was in the married name. The only ID they looked at was the passport (still in the maiden name). They didn't ask for any proof of ID in the married name.

If you don't get your CA DL changed by your bio appt, you can bring along your marriage certificate to show the change of name.

Greg

So I went to the SSA today and unfortunately not so lucky...

I took my marriage cert, driver license, passport etc... To try and change the name. The minute the SSA person saw alien on the form she asked for a green card. I explained the whole pending AOS and offered to show her my papers. She said no we can not change any information on your record by law until we see your green card. I guess it depends on who you get. I then asked her if I can change it once I have my EAD and she said yes. Oh well... another thing to do after I eventually get my EAD

Thanks for all your help though you guys, I appreciate it...

[I'm Gone 60]

She said no we can not change any information on your record by law until we see your green card.

Bullsh*t

RM 00203.510 D4 Correcting Numident Data When a Replacement Card Cannot Be Issued

If the alien does not provide evidence of work authorization or a valid nonwork reason, explain that no replacement card can be issued.

Although a replacement card cannot be issued, the Numident can be corrected if the alien has provided documentation supporting the change, e.g., a name change.

If the alien provides documentation supporting the change, process the SS-5 to update the Numident information but suppress the issuance of a card.

RM 00203.510 Alien without Work Authorization - Nonwork Need for an SSN:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203510#D4

[marie09 5]

She said no we can not change any information on your record by law until we see your green card.

Bullsh*t

RM 00203.510 D4 Correcting Numident Data When a Replacement Card Cannot Be Issued

If the alien does not provide evidence of work authorization or a valid nonwork reason, explain that no replacement card can be issued.

Although a replacement card cannot be issued, the Numident can be corrected if the alien has provided documentation supporting the change, e.g., a name change.

If the alien provides documentation supporting the change, process the SS-5 to update the Numident information but suppress the issuance of a card.

RM 00203.510 Alien without Work Authorization - Nonwork Need for an SSN:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203510#D4

Thank you I Quit - so informative I really appreciate getting the official law on it. I guess i got a dumb agent. Oh well unfortunately i don't live that close to the SSA - about an hours drive. We went today as I was in town to try and do a walk in biometrics (which also failed - i have one of the few ASC's that doesn't allow walk ins..) Not a good day...

After wasting time today standing line in the SSA. I guess i'll just wait until I have my EAD to go back...

Thanks again for posting me the official deal... You guys are awesome

[Jasman0717 9]

How did you get a driver's license that is valid longer than the visa you are here on?

[marie09 5]

How did you get a driver's license that is valid longer than the visa you are here on?

Hey Jasman,

My DMV are kindof strange with DL length. They issue state id cards for the length of the visa, but DL's for 4 years to internationals at least to those on my visa status anyway. They issue 5 year ones to citizens, PR's etc - so there's a 1 year length difference.

I had a 3 year H-work visa and they issued mine and others I know on the same visa 4 year ones. I've only had mine a year and a half, but people I know who've had several visas have even been able to renew theirs online!

I've come across other people in a few other states who have essentially lucked out too. I dunno if it was a lot of DMV mistakes or standard as literally everyone i know here that was on the same status as me in this town also got 4 year DL's - so it's pretty consistent.