SS # questions...Help needed

[Maverick64 0]

Ok from my reading on here it seems that it is highly advisable for my fiancee to obtain her SS# BEFORE we get married, then apply for the name change. It also seems that you need to wait 2 weeks after POE for her information to be in the system to obtain the SS#. My fiancees POE date is Dec. 13th, I want to be married before the end of the year for tax purposes. If I wait two weeks then that puts applying for the SS# around Dec 28th or 29th...that is IF she is in the system by then, and I think that may be iffy because of the holidays. Then this would only leave us about 2 days for the marriage. My question is...does it really matter? Could we marry right after she arrives, then apply for the SS# 2 weeks after her arrival but apply using her maiden name, then when she receives her number, file for the name change? Is this doable?

[TracyTN 237]

There's no reason she can't apply for the SS card in her married name. You just have to make sure you understand the rules and that she can indeed do that - as often times, the local SSA offices don't know their own rules well enough.

She does need to be here at least 2 weeks so beyond that, I say go when you want to go.

The link in my signature should help as far as K1s being eligible - they often don't even understand that much! As long as she can prove her name change with a certified copy of your marriage certificate, there's no reason they can't issue it in her married name. Will save you a trip back once you're married anyway.

Edited November 25, 2009 by TracyTN

[Inky 1,111]

I got mine after I was married, Just filled out the form with my married name brought my passport DL and copy of marriage certificate. It took 1 month and a week to get here. They let it sit in their office for 3 weeks and did nothing with it then FINALLY put the check through and I was already in the system.. after the check I got my SSN in a week.

[Maverick64 0]

There's no reason she can't apply for the SS card in her married name. You just have to make sure you understand the rules and that she can indeed do that - as often times, the local SSA offices don't know their own rules well enough.

She does need to be here at least 2 weeks so beyond that, I say go when you want to go.

The link in my signature should help as far as K1s being eligible - they often don't even understand that much! As long as she can prove her name change with a certified copy of your marriage certificate, there's no reason they can't issue it in her married name. Will save you a trip back once you're married anyway.

Ok, I read through the link in your sig and especially section C...but a little confused about it. I am assuming that section is important to show at the SS office to inform that government regulations show that a K1 visa holder is eligible to work without a work authorization stamp on the I-94 and also without an EAD (although the EAD is actaully required to work), so therefore she is eligible to apply for a SS#? Am I interpreting this correct?

Also can someone fill me in on why some people have had big problems applying for the SS# AFTER thay had married? Seems I have heard this on here.

[TracyTN 237]

Basically, the article states that K1s are work authorized for SSAs purposes and thus, can receive an SSN card prior to receiving work authorization from USCIS. K3s are not in this same boat - they have to have EAD from USCIS before they can get their SSN cards. Often times, SSA workers need reminding of their own rules - that K1s are eligible for SSNs as soon as they can be verified in the system. No further documentation is needed from USCIS.

Any problems you've heard about is because workers at SSA offices seem to not know or understand their own rules. In our case, the SSA officer was so thrown by a K1 visa, she thought my husband had to LEAVE THE COUNTRY and get a K3 now that we were married. Idiots.

[marie09 5]

I would definitely apply for a Soc Sec number in the married name if you can - one less visit to the SSA.

I've had my number for 6 years, as I had work and student visas before. Today 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. Though strangely other people at other offices have had no problem, So it seems to really depend on who you get. I then asked her if I can change it once I have my EAD and she said yes.

Good Luck and have a wonderful wedding!!!

[Darnell 8,479]

what are the ID requirements for your state/county for marriage ?

If not need SSN to marry, then no need to wait on SSN, simply apply for marriage license when she arrives.

I am easily confused though - be tween marriage license and marriage certificate - I think the certificate is issued after the marriage.

Call your county clerks office - find out the local ID requirements to marry. Again, if no SSN required , you are good to go, no need to wait on SSN.

For Filing Purposes on Taxes - is marriage date that is important, not 'issuance date' of SSN.

Good Luck !

[Liverpool1 0]

Ok from my reading on here it seems that it is highly advisable for my fiancee to obtain her SS# BEFORE we get married, then apply for the name change. It also seems that you need to wait 2 weeks after POE for her information to be in the system to obtain the SS#. My fiancees POE date is Dec. 13th, I want to be married before the end of the year for tax purposes. If I wait two weeks then that puts applying for the SS# around Dec 28th or 29th...that is IF she is in the system by then, and I think that may be iffy because of the holidays. Then this would only leave us about 2 days for the marriage. My question is...does it really matter? Could we marry right after she arrives, then apply for the SS# 2 weeks after her arrival but apply using her maiden name, then when she receives her number, file for the name change? Is this doable?

Hi,

I waited until after we were married to get my social security card. When I went to the office with my marriage certificate and passport, the lady working there told me I couldn't get it because my I-94 was not valid for at least 60 more days. I tried to explain to her that for K1 it is different. Anyway, she wasn't really believing me but then she said she will enter my details in the system and see what happens. Then a few minutes later she said, 'oh, it was approved!'.

I went back the next day and was able to get my number. The card came in the mail about a week later. This was in Kansas.

Hope this helps!

[I'm Gone 60]

Idiots.

Now that's not nice. SSA employees have feelings. LOL

[Lisa and Ian 7]

Ian went to the SSA 2 weeks and 1 day after arriving, and they had not interfaced with DHS, but took his application. Two weeks later, called and checked status. Still nothing from DHS. Is this normal?

[I'm Gone 60]

Ian went to the SSA 2 weeks and 1 day after arriving, and they had not interfaced with DHS, but took his application. Two weeks later, called and checked status. Still nothing from DHS. Is this normal?

No If his status did not verify with the initial verification request, the SSA office is supposed to submit a secondary electronic verification request and that normally comes back within a week. If the response is that they need to see the immigration document (I'm assuming in his case it's a Form I-94), a photocopy of the front and back of the document is mailed along with Form G-845 to the immigration verification office. Figure a month for that to come back to the SSA office. If they haven't received it back within a month the SSA office has a phone number they can call.

I would think that at least the secondary electronic request should have been submitted and a response received after two weeks. So not sure if the SSA office's response of "nothing" means they have only done the initial request or submitted multiple initial requests that haven't verified and have not submitted a secondary request or the secondary request didn't verify and they had to send the Form G-845. Need to go into the office and find out where things stand and if needed, make sure they move on to the next step.

[Jeff&Madz 0]

Hi! I'd like to add a question in this thread...is there a difference between applying for ssn using an EAD or using a green card? I've read something about some restriction whatsoever with the DHS? I entered on a K1 visa...am thinking of returning to the SSA after next week with my EAD...GC hopefully be approved by mid-December.they told me to return to the SSA after 2 weeks but called the office and the guy on the phone said it would be better to return after 3-4 weeks...

Anyways', my main concern is about the restriction on the SSN...

Thank you

[I'm Gone 60]

Hi! I'd like to add a question in this thread...is there a difference between applying for ssn using an EAD or using a green card?

The procedure of applying is the same, just that with proof a permanent resident status you are issued an unrestricted SSN card and when you provide an EAD card you are issued a restricted SSN card.

[Jeff&Madz 0]

What are the restrictions that are referred here for the ssn...? And can I change the restriction status later? Thank you

[Lisa and Ian 7]

Ian went to the SSA 2 weeks and 1 day after arriving, and they had not interfaced with DHS, but took his application. Two weeks later, called and checked status. Still nothing from DHS. Is this normal?

No If his status did not verify with the initial verification request, the SSA office is supposed to submit a secondary electronic verification request and that normally comes back within a week. If the response is that they need to see the immigration document (I'm assuming in his case it's a Form I-94), a photocopy of the front and back of the document is mailed along with Form G-845 to the immigration verification office. Figure a month for that to come back to the SSA office. If they haven't received it back within a month the SSA office has a phone number they can call.

I would think that at least the secondary electronic request should have been submitted and a response received after two weeks. So not sure if the SSA office's response of "nothing" means they have only done the initial request or submitted multiple initial requests that haven't verified and have not submitted a secondary request or the secondary request didn't verify and they had to send the Form G-845. Need to go into the office and find out where things stand and if needed, make sure they move on to the next step.

Thanks for the info. At our initial visit, they did take photocopies of Ian's travel documents. We called yesterday and said, "We do have you in our system [as applying for a SSN], but haven't received your information via our interface with DHS yet. This may take up to 6 weeks."

I'm not sure other people have had to wait this long for a SSN, but maybe it's normal. The only thing it's holding us back from is adding him onto a checking account. Our bank requires a SSN to add him on.