Social Security Card

[vickydeutsch 0]

Hello everybody!!!

I have my conditional american residency card and now I am trying to replace with old documnets. One of them is my Social Security Card. I had my SSCard before I married my husband and it said "Valid for work only with INS authorization". I don't want to change my last name (I want to keep my maiden name)...so my question is: should I apply for a replacement of SS card so that message won't be there anymore? or should I keep my old SScard since my last name would remain the same? Please help me....I am confused!!!!

Thanks!!!

Vicky

[TracyTN 237]

You should definitely get your card updated to have that denotation removed. They'll just need to see your green card to do that. No need to change your name on it unless you want to.

[v333k 59]

You should definitely get your card updated to have that denotation removed. They'll just need to see your green card to do that. No need to change your name on it unless you want to.

Is there a benefit at this stage or only when a LPR becomes a citizen is where the benefit is?

[TracyTN 237]

Well, you're supposed to have your status updated with them for withholding purposes and such anyway (would have to look that up again to understand it more clearly) - which is why you go again when you are a citizen.

But it's also a convenience thing - wouldn't you rather not have to explain that to an employer when you present your SSN card to them? If they see that, they may think you're not authorized to work without further documentation (i.e. an EAD card), which as we all know is not necessary for GC holders.

[vickydeutsch 0]

Thanks sooo much for the quick response!!! so I just show my green card....that's awesome!! I am so tired of the whole process already!!!!

Thanks again!!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

My SS card is from 1991 and reads "not valid for employment." Even if I become a USC sometime this year, the number never changes, so I'm not going to change my card . . . ever.

Your card requires proper authorization, which your Green Card is. Therefore, there's really no need to get a new card. Frankly, many people never have to show it during their lifetime. All they need to provide is the number.

[v333k 59]

My SS card is from 1991 and reads "not valid for employment." Even if I become a USC sometime this year, the number never changes, so I'm not going to change my card . . . ever.

Your card requires proper authorization, which your Green Card is. Therefore, there's really no need to get a new card. Frankly, many people never have to show it during their lifetime. All they need to provide is the number.

Hi Bob,

But you still need to go to the SS office and update your status with them... or at least that's what I've been reading in other threads.... I beleive it was Ant's thread of what to do after becoming a USC.

[Susita 175]

Vicky ~ We still haven't updated Luis's social security card. We have the application & everything but are just saving it for a day when we have nothing to do. The social security office is super crowded all the time & we would be there for hours.

My advice, do it when you have a chance but don't lose sleep over it. You don't have to change your last name either unless the name on your greencard is different, in which case you will have to update your name.

[v333k 59]

Vicky ~ We still haven't updated Luis's social security card. We have the application & everything but are just saving it for a day when we have nothing to do. The social security office is super crowded all the time & we would be there for hours.

My advice, do it when you have a chance but don't lose sleep over it. You don't have to change your last name either unless the name on your greencard is different, in which case you will have to update your name.

I still have my SSCard with the same comment on it. I was planning on getting it changed after getting naturalized. Glad you started this question since I've been thinking about it myself.

When applying for a job or something, you will need to show your SSCard to prove you are who you are and the SSN number is really the yours. I am sure they disregard the comment on it when you provide them with your GC.

[HeatDeath 430]

You should go get a new card when you get your green card. It updates your status in their system and I think that might be important. They specifically ask you to notify them whenever your immigration status changes, For me that means K-1 entrant -> PR, and PR -> citizen.

When you go to update your new status and get a new card DO NOT OFFER THEM YOUR CURRENT CARD. Odds are they will not ask for it, and you may need a SSC in the 2-6 weeks it can take them to send out the new one. That way you still get to keep your cool immigrant only card, but you also get the new one, which won't confuse HR departments as much.

Edited February 27, 2010 by HeatDeath

[TracyTN 237]

^^

[sh18 3]

One benefit is when you accept employment you just show them your SS card and ID (driver's license) and they don't even have to be aware of whether you're American or GC holder.

[vickydeutsch 0]

Well today I went to SS Administration and I changed or updated my card.

Susita, it didn't take me that long. Of course when I opened the door and I saw like a hundred people in the waiting area I almost walked away but since I wanted to change the information, the waiting wasn't that bad. I think I waited 15 or 20 minutes. I never said I was married, I just showed my green card and the guy proceeded to change the information. He told me I will receive a new card (same number) without that famous sentence. But he kept the card. He gave me a letter saying I would receive my new card within two weeks.

So it was easy!!!

[TracyTN 237]

UGH I hate that they took your old card (I would have asked to keep it)! Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the new one.

[sh18 3]

Well today I went to SS Administration and I changed or updated my card.

Susita, it didn't take me that long. Of course when I opened the door and I saw like a hundred people in the waiting area I almost walked away but since I wanted to change the information, the waiting wasn't that bad. I think I waited 15 or 20 minutes. I never said I was married, I just showed my green card and the guy proceeded to change the information. He told me I will receive a new card (same number) without that famous sentence. But he kept the card. He gave me a letter saying I would receive my new card within two weeks.

So it was easy!!!

I did what you did recently and they gave me old card back (I already received new one (within 2 weeks as they said)).

They do ask you "Do you swear to say only truth" or something like that. I was like WHOA you sir are serious about this.