Social Security # or marriage first?

[DrewG84 0]

Hi everyone,

I've searched this site in and out but haven't been able to locate a clear cut answer.

After arrival on the K1 visa, should you get your SSN before or after getting married? In Massachusetts, you don't need an SSN for a marriage license. It seems like this would skip a step and we wouldn't have to change the name on the social security card.

Once again, thanks for the help,

Drew

[newlyweds 0]

i did my SS the next day I arrived in the country, I got my card in 4 weeks. I cannot update my name to my new married name not until I have my greencard, I know of a friend from here though that did the SS card after she got married so she used her new name right away. I am not sure though if in your state they will let you do that coz I think the SSA office also looks at ur information on homeland security. But I am not too sure but anyway, my friend's in california so after she and her fiance got married they then applied for the SScard.

[Otto 83]

Obtaining a SS Card/Number is Step 16 on the K-1 Flowchart (which is directly after entering the US) - it is recommended you do this step first. You can always get the name changed later, after you've gotten your PR/Green Card.

K-1 Flowchart

** Topic may be better suited in "Working & Traveling prior to getting a Green Card"; moving thread there.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi everyone,

I've searched this site in and out but haven't been able to locate a clear cut answer.

After arrival on the K1 visa, should you get your SSN before or after getting married? In Massachusetts, you don't need an SSN for a marriage license. It seems like this would skip a step and we wouldn't have to change the name on the social security card.

Once again, thanks for the help,

Drew

It's a personal choice but it's typically a lot EASIER doing it while on the K1 (as long as it's more than 14 days to the I-94 expiry). There's actually a thread on here (started yesterday or today) where the couple is having a real hard time getting his now wife a SSN.

K1's are entitled to SSN's so it's super easy. You can still get married and still apply for AOS without an SSN, but if you do it with, it doesn't matter if the SSN is in your maiden name. Once you get married and get your EAD (or GC) you can go back in and get the card changed over. Super easy, just another trip. This is personally the way i'm doing it.

Here's the thread about the person having trouble: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=242022 right now, but there are lots more talking about the issues as when they check the immigration system, your name is your maiden name. Most offices typically won't issue a card in your married name unless it matches on the system. Another reason for maiden name is you can file taxes (married filing jointly is what we did) and one girl is having trouble with her taxes because her SSN is in her married name and the system has her maiden name...

Another reason is a SSN is (usually) needed to open bank accounts, go on health insurance etc which helps for proving a "bonafide relationship". Another person is having trouble proving her relationship because she didn't get her SSN earlier enough to be on all the stuff with her husband.

It's ultimately up to you, but given the issues people have been having (even though it should be a lot easier than the SSA is making it) it appears to be a lot easier to get it now prior to marriage.

[I'm Gone 60]

i did my SS the next day I arrived in the country, I got my card in 4 weeks. I cannot update my name to my new married name not until I have my greencard,

You can update the SSN record at any time. You just cannot be issued a card in the married name if your I-94 is expired or within 14 days of expiring.

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

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

D. PROCEDURE - SSN CARD REQUEST BY ALIEN NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK

4. 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 (SSN Record) 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. (suppress issuance of the card, and see RM 00202.320 for providing

SSN Verification Printouts.)

Only the marriage document (foreign or domestic) is needed to establish 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: State law must also allow the type of name change wishing to be made

-- The marriage occurred within the past two years

-- The marriage document shows sufficient identifying information, e.g.,

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

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

current Social Security number record.

The applicant will 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, e.g., age, date of birth or parent's names which does not match our records,

e.g., 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.

[I'm Gone 60]

Hi everyone,

I've searched this site in and out but haven't been able to locate a clear cut answer.

Because there isn't one

After arrival on the K1 visa, should you get your SSN before or after getting married? In Massachusetts, you don't need an SSN for a marriage license. It seems like this would skip a step and we wouldn't have to change the name on the social security card.

If you want my opinion I would try for the SSN in the maiden name after she has been here 10 to 14 days calendar days. Once you are married and she has been assigned an SSN she can try for the name changed card as long as her I-94 is not expired or within 14 days of expiring.

As I posted the SSN recorded can be updated at any time if you run out of time to get the name corrected card based on the K-1 status.

Edited February 13, 2010 by I Quit

[newlyweds 0]

You can update the SSN record at any time. You just cannot be issued a card in the married name if your I-94 is expired or within 14 days of expiring.

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

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

D. PROCEDURE - SSN CARD REQUEST BY ALIEN NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK

4. 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 (SSN Record) 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. (suppress issuance of the card, and see RM 00202.320 for providing

SSN Verification Printouts.)

Only the marriage document (foreign or domestic) is needed to establish 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: State law must also allow the type of name change wishing to be made

-- The marriage occurred within the past two years

-- The marriage document shows sufficient identifying information, e.g.,

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

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

current Social Security number record.

The applicant will 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, e.g., age, date of birth or parent's names which does not match our records,

e.g., 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.

well, I arrived in the country oct.18, my I-94 didn't expire yet when I asked for the name change, coz I went back to the SS office on november about a week after I got my card in the mail but still that guy just told me I couldn't change it. So pretty much unless I get a hold of my PR card,he couldn't help me, so I'll just have to wait for that.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi everyone,

I've searched this site in and out but haven't been able to locate a clear cut answer.

After arrival on the K1 visa, should you get your SSN before or after getting married? In Massachusetts, you don't need an SSN for a marriage license. It seems like this would skip a step and we wouldn't have to change the name on the social security card.

Once again, thanks for the help,

Drew

This question is asked an answered several times a day.

1. Get off the plane

2. Kiss, make love whatever, all night

3. Next morning get your SSN in maiden name

4. Unpack your bags

5. Go to Disney World

6. get married

7. File for AOS

8. Change name on the SS card (if you want to) after you have your green card

You can get the SSN the morning after you apply by calling or going back to the SS office. The card will take a week to arrive. You don't need the card, you need the numberAlla applied for her SSN 16 hours after arriving, was added to our bank account with her new SSN 40 hours after arriving. Was added to my health insurance immediately, but it didn't go into effect until we were married, 8 days after she arrived.

[I'm Gone 60]

This question is asked an answered several times a day.

1. Get off the plane

2. Kiss, make love whatever, all night

3. Next morning get your SSN in maiden name

4. Unpack your bags

5. Go to Disney World

6. get married

7. File for AOS

8. Change name on the SS card (if you want to) after you have your green card

You can get the SSN the morning after you apply by calling or going back to the SS office. The card will take a week to arrive. You don't need the card, you need the numberAlla applied for her SSN 16 hours after arriving, was added to our bank account with her new SSN 40 hours after arriving. Was added to my health insurance immediately, but it didn't go into effect until we were married, 8 days after she arrived.

You can apply as soon as you get, but other than your case the SSA office is not going to be able to verify the immigration status due to there not being a record of your arrival in the datebase SSA checks. SSA procedure is the office is supposed to hold the application until the person has been here 10 calendar days and try to verify your status again. However, offices sometimes don't follow procedure and go to the next step of the verification procedure, which could delay things a month or more.

No matter when you apply you are not going to be assigned an SSN until the SSA office can verify your immigration status, so you are only going to be able to get your SSN the next day if the office can verify your status while you are in the office and SSA offices and the 800 number WILL NOT give out an SSN over the phone.

You DO NOT need to wait until you have your I-551 (Green Card) to get the married name on the SSN record and be issued an SSN card in the married name. As long as your I-94 is not expired or within 14 days of expiring you are eligible to be issued an SSN card and as I have said the SSN record can be updated with the married name at any time without a card being issued.

[MRStee 19]

We did ours 2 wks, 2 days after his arrival and I went back shortly after marriage and changed my last name to ours. . Alot of people don't want to go twice, but just remember all it took to get your SO here, would it really hurt to go twice?Just some advice. Good luck

[Nik+Heather 121]

Check out how much trouble this poor guy is having getting his wife an SSN # since they didn't do it in the maiden name first.....

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=180237

Don't delay!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I think you meant to pin this thread Nik + Heather: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=242022 The one posted above is about getting the EAD not the SSN.

[Nik+Heather 121]

I think you meant to pin this thread Nik + Heather: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=242022 The one posted above is about getting the EAD not the SSN.

Uhh. Yeah. Sorry....

[M.O 6]

i would say after, so you dont have the hassle to change your name again on the SSC after the marriage...

[I'm Gone 60]

i would say after, so you dont have the hassle to change your name again on the SSC after the marriage...

Yeah what happens if your I-94 expires benefit the SSA office can verify your K-1 status and then you can't be assigned a number until you have an EAD crd or I-551 stamp or card and those also need to be verified.