SSN

[Jo&Si 9]

Hi Everyone,

I entered in the USA on March 16th, got married on 24th and went to Social Security Office Yesterday...

The clerck (with a nasty attitude) told me that I CAN`T HAVE A SSN because I was not allowed to work! (I had everything I needed... passport, I-94 and marriage certificate)

On the I-94 the CPB officer at POE wrote on "Employment NOT authorized"

I told her politely that it was wrong that other people got their SSN even they can`t work when they are the K-1 holder and that I knew that I can`t work...She just said you can`t have a SSN and I can show you the immigration document to prove it...so we left...I was so pissed off!!!!!!!!!!

I hate incompetence!

Now I am trying to find info on the web to put it on her face to show her how she is wrong!!!!!!!! But I didn`t find anything yet...don`t know what to do there is no other office here...

If someone has any advice it will be trully appreciated

Thanks

Jo

[Kimbear 53]

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

part c spcificially says k1 fiance can get an SSN

[Darnell 8,478]

go to other office.

apply again.

ask the clerk to look you up in the SAVE database, in the visa name.

Don't try to apply in 'married name' at all.

If clerk mumbles something about 'USCIS or DHS verification'. or

'need 30 days for DHS electronic verification'..

Stop. Somethings not synched up, yet, in SAVE database.

The general rule of thumb (from me) is to wait 14 days from the POE date, then go in to apply. SAVE database rarely updates in real time from POE event.

So - if application IS NOT successful (ie - if told to wait, for any reason) -

Come back 2 days later, try again. If still no success,

keep trying every 2 days. At some point, you might have to get a supervisor to look you up in the SAVE database, as well - most front desk clerks have not been properly trained to use the SAVE database, and it shows.

DO NOT FIRST APPLY in married name, it absolutely slows down the process.

Do not show the marriage certificate - it will only confuse the matter.

After successfully applying, come back again, 2 days later, and get the number from the front desk clerk. Usually, within 10 to 30 days, the card will arrive in the mail. Once you have the card in hand, go back to the SSA office with marriage certificate, have the name changed with SSA office, then, and only then. You might have timing issues, if past 74 days of POE. If that's the case, then you have to wait until you have EAD card or Green Card in Hand.

With all that said.

Sorry - even with SSN and EAD stamp in passport - you are not allowed to work.

You don't have the right documents yet, to be 'verified' on the I-9 form.

You can work after you have either 1--I-551 stamp in passport or 2--Green Card or 3--EAD card.

I'm thinking 'work' is not the issue for you, at this point, right?

Unfortunately for you, you came across a clerk who was NOT trained in SAVE database procedures, also not trained in how to handle a K-1 visa holder. and that sucks, loads. You can train any clerk, you betcha, but I suggest NOT going back to THAT office, they've a tainted clerk that you won't have much luck to train.

Good Luck ! (or something)

Edited March 26, 2010 by Darnell

[ashenflowers 5]

Sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with several things Darnell said.

I was really lucky with my SSN. I had someone who gave me NO trouble, and I successfully obtained a SSN in my MARRIED NAME right off the bat, no questions asked. Since you are already married, apply for it in the married name. Doing it in your maiden name is a waste of time, because you'll just have to go through the trouble of getting it changed. I brought my marriage certificate with me when I applied, and there was no confusion whatsoever since it clearly states what my name is now.

Don't waste your time going every 2 days (who wants to bother with that?! plus you'll just be annoying). However yes, Darnell is correct in that you need to wait a full 14 days after your POE (I'd give it a day or two longer even... like, no earlier than the first business day after the Easter holiday is my suggestion), and try again and hopefully you'll get a different clerk. If you get the same one, ask to speak to a supervisor, or politely decline and wait to talk to someone else. Print off the stuff that Kimbear linked to and bring it along.

Once they issue you the SSN you do not have to go back to the office to get the number. If you urgently need it (and for K-1 purposes I don't know why you would so desperately need one immediately), you could try to call the office and they could look it up, otherwise wait, and you'll receive it within 2 weeks. Mine arrived exactly one week after I applied.

Good luck!

[ScooterMac 2]

If you urgently need it (and for K-1 purposes I don't know why you would so desperately need one immediately), you could try to call the office and they could look it up

Just for the record....not all offices will give you the SSN over the phone. The Erie, PA office and many others require you to come to the office in person, with ID, before they'll give you your number. I can't imagine any clerk giving you the number over the phone - there's no way to verify your identity.

Your office may have done it, but others should be prepared to make that second trip if they need the number immediately, just in case (though, in most cases, you won't need the number immediately).

[Darnell 8,478]

Sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with several things Darnell said.

I was really lucky with my SSN. I had someone who gave me NO trouble, and I successfully obtained a SSN in my MARRIED NAME right off the bat, no questions asked. Since you are already married, apply for it in the married name. Doing it in your maiden name is a waste of time, because you'll just have to go through the trouble of getting it changed. I brought my marriage certificate with me when I applied, and there was no confusion whatsoever since it clearly states what my name is now.

Don't waste your time going every 2 days (who wants to bother with that?! plus you'll just be annoying). However yes, Darnell is correct in that you need to wait a full 14 days after your POE (I'd give it a day or two longer even... like, no earlier than the first business day after the Easter holiday is my suggestion), and try again and hopefully you'll get a different clerk. If you get the same one, ask to speak to a supervisor, or politely decline and wait to talk to someone else. Print off the stuff that Kimbear linked to and bring it along.

Once they issue you the SSN you do not have to go back to the office to get the number. If you urgently need it (and for K-1 purposes I don't know why you would so desperately need one immediately), you could try to call the office and they could look it up, otherwise wait, and you'll receive it within 2 weeks. Mine arrived exactly one week after I applied.

Good luck!

Perhaps we'll agree to disagree then.

You've not witnessed a clerk mumbling 'DHS Electronic Verification' at all.

So Glad it was easy for you ! In many other instances, that's NOT the case.

Praise Allah you had a well-trained clerk. I think you were due some well-earned karma that day, from having the I-94 messed up on yer POE.

Edited March 26, 2010 by Darnell

[ashenflowers 5]

Just for the record....not all offices will give you the SSN over the phone. The Erie, PA office and many others require you to come to the office in person, with ID, before they'll give you your number. I can't imagine any clerk giving you the number over the phone - there's no way to verify your identity.

Your office may have done it, but others should be prepared to make that second trip if they need the number immediately, just in case (though, in most cases, you won't need the number immediately).

It was just a suggestion. If they need the number that desperately, but like you said, in most cases they won't. I never bothered to try to call to find out the number. I know they said I could go to the DMV if I needed it to try to get my license and they'd be able to look it up in their system after 1 week if needed.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Just to add (and this is probably entirely unhelpful) they did mess up your I-94. It is supposed to say "employment authorized" which I know isn't the case, but that's what it is supposed to say in order for you to be able to get your SSN. You are to claim on the form you are "able to work" which is required to get an SSN. If you were to write in "unable to work" you would be unable to obtain an SSN. So basically, your I-94 is contradicting what you're claiming, which is why the person at the SSN office is denying you an SSN. Unfortunately, you can do down there with all the documentation in the world and complain, but since your I-94 says what it says, it may not get you anywhere.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I was a K1 and I had no trouble applying in my married name so I'll disagree with the poster who was quite adamant above. Apply in your maiden name and then having to go back and get the name changed will be just a pain in the butt if you're sticking with the married name. Bring a stamped Marriage certificate and you'll be able to show your new name and your old name (think you'll be bringing your passport for id as well anyway).

Print off the link that Kimbear noted and that should resolve your issues. The SSN office may just not be familiar, but if you're patient and polite, you'll get through their hard little noggens!

Good luck

[Jo&Si 9]

Thanks to you all!

I didn`t know if my I-94 was messed up or not...Thanks HuggleBuggles you confiremed what I thought...I`m not going to fight with the clerk...we called an other SS office and the lady confirmed that my I-94 was messed up and I need to contact DHS to get help in this matter since it`s the CPB Officer mistake.

I wrote to DHS earlier and I`m waiting an answer...maybe it will be long and I will have to wait to get my EAD to get my SSN...I wanted it because we want to open a joint Bank account...

Thanks a lot again for your help, it`s really appreciated!

Jo

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I wrote to DHS earlier and I`m waiting an answer...maybe it will be long and I will have to wait to get my EAD to get my SSN...I wanted it because we want to open a joint Bank account...

Not all joint accounts require SSNs. I know for a fact that HSBC doesn't, since my wife and I got one there before we even filed for our CR-1 visa.

[Darnell 8,478]

Thanks to you all!

I didn`t know if my I-94 was messed up or not...Thanks HuggleBuggles you confiremed what I thought...I`m not going to fight with the clerk...we called an other SS office and the lady confirmed that my I-94 was messed up and I need to contact DHS to get help in this matter since it`s the CPB Officer mistake.

I wrote to DHS earlier and I`m waiting an answer...maybe it will be long and I will have to wait to get my EAD to get my SSN...I wanted it because we want to open a joint Bank account...

Thanks a lot again for your help, it`s really appreciated!

Jo

You might gain some time simply by going to a Customs/Border Patrol SECONDARY INSPECTION OFFICE (Since it was a CBP officer that issued the I-94 originally, and since CBP only handles I-94 issuance) - There might even be such an office within a 2 hour drive of yer domicile. You don't need an appointment - you simply go - tell them 'My I-94 was messed up at POE' - they will review yer passport/visa and issue the proper I-94 there.

Good Luck !

[ashenflowers 5]

I didn't get an I-94 when I entered on my K-1. Really wish those CBPs knew what they were doing.. lol sigh. Anyways, I went to a deferred inspection site, like what Darnell mentioned and they were able to give me one. They might be able to reissue your I-94, and/or just correct it somehow. It's a good idea, and worth a shot if there's one close by.