Social Security Number or Marriage FIrst

[wvuwvu7 0]

My Fiancee has made it here to the USA from the Philippines. I need to go get a marriage license but need to know if we do that before or after we get her a social security number? I live in South Carolina and was reading that both parties need to bring their social security card, didn't know if it applies in our case or not. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

How soon are you getting married? I dont know for sure about south carolina, but in alaska the SS card was not needed...Personally I would say to go and apply for the SSN now...you can always change the name on it later. I feel it saves a lot of hassle in the long run. You could try to call the vital statistics or courthouse and see what is required for sure.

According to this site a social security number is not required. I do not know when the last time it was updated and this was just a quick search.

http://marriage.about.com/cs/marriagelicenses/p/southcarolina.htm

This second link has all the county clerks listed with their phone number....give them a call for the best advice on requirements.

http://www.weddingvendors.com/marriage-license-laws/united-states/south-carolina/

[Other 0]

In Colorado the marriage license form has a SSN section however their documentation says if you don't have a SSN you can sign a waver. My recommendation is to get the SSN anyways because you will need it later on for opening joint banking accounts and doing your taxes. There is a great guide on how to get the SSN for K1 visas.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=ssn

Other

[v333k 59]

My Fiancee has made it here to the USA from the Philippines. I need to go get a marriage license but need to know if we do that before or after we get her a social security number? I live in South Carolina and was reading that both parties need to bring their social security card, didn't know if it applies in our case or not. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I suggest you call your clerk or your court house and ask about that. Each state can be different. They will be able to provide you with the proper answer.

[NickD 203]

My wife could not get a SS card until after our AOS interview where we had to prove we were married, then we had to wait for months, did pay extra for that EAD. Couldn't even add her to my bank account until she got that SS card due to that American Patriot Act.

Sounds like your state is putting you in a catch 22 position, three trips to the SS office, first for with the EAD, second when she became a LPR, third when she became a USC. Number and name remained the same.

[milimelo 4,575]

Moving this topic to AOS from family based visas.

[Nik+Heather 121]

I recommend that you follow the advice in the K1 SSN guide, which is that you get the Social Security Number, get the marriage license, get married, get the certified marriage license, then change her name on the SSN. The SSN cannot be required for marriage, but it may be useful later to have it on the license - there is usually a place for it to be entered.

Then get married. If she wants to change her name, get the name changed on the SSN with the certified marriage license - if there is still enough time left on the I-94, she can get that done without waiting for EAD or anything else.