Social Security # or marriage first?

[KnJ 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

are you getting married in MA?

I didn't find it that much of a hassle to go again to the SSA. It probably depends on which office. Malden MA was a 30 second wait. They had no problem understanding the name change, and I had plenty of time before I-94 expiry. She also gave me a letter and advised that if I want to do something like apply for a drivers license, I can use their letter (printed right then and there) as proof that the SSA knows I exist as my married self, before I get the actual new card.

But aside from the RMV, the actual SSN *card* isn't necessary. Don't even carry it around.

[Darnell 8,478]

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

I would say before. Go in to SSA office on Day 13 after POE date.

[patience-virtue 1]

It greatly depends on the TIMING, my opinion! If you are getting married close to your 90-day limit, it is better to obtain SSN before the marriage. Never wait too long to get one.

But if you're like us, who were very excited to TIE THE KNOT (got married after 19 days of arrival), you may want to consider applying SSN after the marriage to save you time and trip to SSA (my hubby can't easily take off from work during those days). We never had a problem obtaining one. In fact, in my case, it worked out great! Even though my I-485 application is taking so long (2 years, 7 months and counting), i was able to get Driver's license* with my married name on it, file taxes with hubby, get bank accounts, etc.

I think, if you are just lucky, either getting it before or after marriage, can work fine. But, both ways can also be a pain if misfortune comes.

Good luck to you! May you have a smooth sailing USCIS journey.

* Obtaining driver's license for K1 visa holder varies from state to state.

[DanielParul 50]

We got married exactly a week after coming here and went to the SSA office on day 14 of being here so that my info was updated on their system. Had no problem with either. They did give me my SSN with maiden name coz thats the name they had on records but it was easy to go back and change it later.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

I got married this past Saturday. I went to the secretary of state to get my Driver's License. They told me they couldn't process it until I had my married name on my SSN. So today I go to the SSN office & they can't change my name on my SSN card until I show them my married name on an "immigration document"(all my immigration stuff obviously has my maiden name).

So we call USCIS & I won't have any "document" to show either SSN office or secretary of state until I get something back after I file for AOS.

What a PITFA

[I'm Gone 60]

So today I go to the SSN office & they can't change my name on my SSN card until I show them my married name on an "immigration document"(all my immigration stuff obviously has my maiden name).

That is BS. I would go back to the SSA office and ask to speak with a manager if they don't accept your application.

The is brand new POMS procedure on name changes that came out this week.

RM 10212.001 Defining the Legal Name for an SSN

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212001

B. Evidence of legal name

2. Foreign born individual

A foreign-born person’s legal name is the name shown on his or her immigration document (includes hyphens and apostrophes).

The only time you may process an SSN application in a name that does not agree with the name shown on the immigration document is if the person legally changed his or her name after the immigration document is issued. In these situations, the legal name is the name shown on the evidence of the name change.

a. Name on immigration document and other evidence for an SSN are different

When the name shown on the immigration document differs from the name shown on other evidence submitted for an SSN, process the SSN in the name on the immigration document as long as the name can be derived from the other evidence (e.g., foreign passport). Different versions of the name shown on other required documents must be shown in the other name fields in the Enumeration system following RM 10205.013.

If the required documents show clearly different names, do not accept the evidence to process the SSN application. In these situations, the applicant must submit SSN evidence showing the same name or submit evidence of a name change after the immigration document was issued

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RM 10212.055 Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN based on Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partnership

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212055

B. Evidence of new name

Accept a name change document based on marriage, civil union or domestic partnership as evidence of the new name be shown on the card, if the new name can be derived from the document.

Any of the following changes to the last name, using the names shown on the evidence, are permitted:

-- bride takes the groom’s last name;

-- groom takes bride’s last name;

-- spouse or partner takes the other parties’ last name;

-- spouse or partner takes one part of the other parties’ compound surname;

-- compound name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse’s or partner’s original surname for either

or both parties

D. Example of acceptable evidence to process a name change based on marriage

Lisa Foster submits evidence of the name change event, her US ceremonial marriage to Bryan Lee-Walsh. She wants to change her surname to a compound surname, Foster Lee, with only part of Bryan’s surname. Since this new name can be derived from the prior names shown on the marriage document, the marriage document is acceptable evidence of the new name. We may also change Lisa’s surname to one of the following if she requests it:

-- WALSH,

-- LEE-WALSH (or reverse, with or without space or hyphen),

-- LEE FOSTER (with or without space or hyphen, Foster Lee could also have a hyphen or not have a

space)

-- FOSTER WALSH (or reverse, with or without space or hyphen)

-- FOSTER LEE WALSH (in any order, with or without spaces or hyphens)

The marriage document can also be used as acceptable evidence of identity, if it shows Lisa’s prior name (Lisa Foster) and either her age, birth date, or parents’ names, that matches the data on the Numident, and if the marriage took place within the prior two years.

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Plus once again you can always change just the name on your SSN record, but not be issued a card.

RM 10211.605 Request for a Replacement SSN Card Obtained for a Nonwork Purpose

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211605

A. Correcting Numident data when a replacement card cannot be issued

1. Alien provides documentation supporting the change

Although the FO cannot issue a replacement card, you may correct the Numident if the alien provides documentation supporting the change (e.g., a name change).

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

-- Answer “yes” to the "Suppress card issuance" question on the SSNAP Additional Information screen and record the nonwork reason documentation on the SSNAP Proof of Legal Alien Status screen.

-- Provide written notice, using Form SSA-L676, to explain that we cannot issue a replacement card because the applicant did not present appropriate authorization permitting him or her to work in the U.S. and has not provided evidence of a valid nonwork reason for an SSN.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Thanks for that info, I Quit.

When the lady at the office went to get some #'s for us I looked at my husband & said "I think she's wrong"....but....I wanted to make sure (see on VJ). I'll call & ask for a supervisor/manager tomorrow.

[I'm Gone 60]

I'll call & ask for a supervisor/manager tomorrow.

I assume mean Monday since SSA office are closed on the weekend and I would go back to the office.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I assume mean Monday since SSA office are closed on the weekend and I would go back to the office.

I assume she meant FRIDAY as her post was written on Thursday at 7pm... and unless i'm missing something, a friday isn't considered part of "the weekend".

[CDAgirlMI 51]

I assume she meant FRIDAY as her post was written on Thursday at 7pm... and unless i'm missing something, a friday isn't considered part of "the weekend".

Haha..I wish Friday was part of the weekend.

We couldn't make it there before 4pm today, so we'll try Monday.