Updating SSA, License State Records because of becoming US citizen

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, to clarify - you don't need to update your SSN to get your passport but you can't update your SSN status without the certificate and if you choose to get your passport first, then you will need to wait until after you get your certificate back - if it isn't lost in the mail (don't kid yourself - that happened to a few VJers who had their citizenship around the same time I got mine) before you can update your status with SSA. Personal circumstances can change quickly and heaven forbid something happened to you or your job and you now qualify for some of those means tested benefits or even SSA disability pension. Without your proof of US citizenship you won't receive those benefits. You will delay getting some emergency related benefits until after you have gone through the process of applying for and updating your SSA status. It might just be a few weeks or a few months but people do live paycheck to paycheck and those few weeks or few months can become critical. You do, actually, get a brand new card when you update your status to citizen. Another consideration, SSA requires that you update your status when you become a citizen and USCIS strongly recommends that you update your status with SSA asap as well. It is just such a common sense thing to do . . . why would you not want to?

[jcrom 2]

Hello everybody, thanks everybody for your replies. I have just updated the SSA record, that is actually in my opinion, the most important record of all because the this a Federal Record as the USCIS is, too. Now, what I'm going to tell maybe not many people know; the thing is that is very recommended to update the federal and state records asap. Why? here comes the answer: in case of any benefit, it is more time to probe them that I'm US citizen; other issue as in case of any problem, thanks God, I don't have any problem neither with the law here or nothing, but God forbid something; any problem, it appears in the records that I'm US citizen, and I would not be deported in case of any problem (God please forbid something). It has occured before, it is not common but it has happened that people who has been US citizens have been deported in case of a problem. The best situation is always to have everything updated and you have much more shield in case of something. Even more, I was reading in a website, (if my memory is not wrong in USCIS webpage or something like that) that the only evidence besides the Naturalization Certificate is the US passport, I was reading that in case that the USCIS records get lost (something that is not impossible), the only evidence that a person can have is the US passport, of course if I have the other records updated helps me much more. I'm Hispanic, and unfortunately the laws of immigration are getting tough specially for any immigrant of Hispanic heritage. It is very personal and in my opinion, I feel more secure in the country updating everything right away. I live in State (actually commonwealth of Pennsylvania) where the people tends to be very racist, specially with Hispanics and other races, unfortunately. I'm going to put this little links in case any person has any doubt about I'm talking about. http://www.laprogressive.com/immigration-reform/another-u-s-citizen-accidentally-deported/ http://www.aclu-sc.org/releases/view/102796 ; and there are more cases and I invite any person who wants to google about US citizen deported by mistake or accidentally, many people are going to surprise. Thanks God, I'm not a person of problems, I'm happilly married, I study and work, but anyway, I prefer to be sure. I recommend to everybody once got their US citizenship, please guys update all the Federal and State records, even more the financial too. I suggest that the Banks where anybody has accounts with, please do it; it is a fact that in case of loan from the bank, not only you need to have a good credit score, you need to be US citizen; the risk towards a financial loan for a house, car or education get increased because of the fact that the green card holder can be deported or even worse, the green card holder can go back to his/her origin country and not pay back the loan; hence, the person who is American has a little bit more facility to get approved a loan because this is officially his/her country, now. This is something very personal, I apologize if somebody can be offended with my opinions, thanks and bye,

[jcrom 2]

I find some of the comments regarding the Social Security Administration somewhat strange, first of all, if you go from an unconditional green card to us citizenship, do you have to notify them about your status, and if so, why ? What kind of literature is there regarding this issue ? I have personally not found anything but I did go into my local SSA office and talked to them, they told me that there was no need for them to update any records because I was nowhere near retirement age, and they did not even want to deal with me or see my certificate.

When some of you mention the issuance of a new SSN, are you talking about a brand new number or just a card ? It would not make any sense at all to issue a new number to someone who has already been here for a long time unless it is a status adjustment, say going from a work visa to permanent residency.

Hello everybody, I have just updated the SSA record, the State record not yet (PA State Driver's License is for tomorrow). I asked the same question just today in SSA office, the person told me that I will receive a new SSN card in a few days; I asked him, Why? He told me that the SSA each time that performs an update of status that is actually very important (from any visa to green card, from conditional green card to permanent green card and of course, from green card holder to US citizens), the systemn issue the same social security number with a brand new card; I don't know if they print something special on the new ssn card for new US citizens. I asked what happen with the one that I had, He told me that doesn't matter because the system makes a new one as a new process. Remmember guys that they are federal employees, and they sign special agreements of confidentiality and they are not going to disclose too much information about how the system runs. The federal agencies as SSA, they change many things and procedures around the U.S. I have read that a few people has to perform like an Oath inside SSA office stating that the person is in fact a new US naturalized citizen, I only had to give them my certificate and they took a copy for that, and that it was it, they right away updated my record. Thanks and bye,

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Seriously, why not read Kathryn's post where she explains that in order to be issued a passport, your record with SSA has to be updated. Not an optional thing if you want a passport.

1) Because she didn't state that.

2) Because that's not the case.

Two good reasons in my book. What's your excuse?

[milimelo 4,480]

1) Because she didn't state that.

2) Because that's not the case.

Two good reasons in my book. What's your excuse?

Because I know that without doing the SAVE update and SSA seeing it, you can't get a passport - I asked today the lady that works in a SSA office.

[TravellingNomad 12]

When I got my citizenship last week, the SSA people were at the oath taking ceremony handing out their forms. They said they were doing us the courtesy so we didn't have to worry about getting it our SSN updated. which i thought was pretty cool because I was not looking forward to going to their office and falling in line. Just gotta wait a few weeks 'til my new SS card comes in the mail with the change in my name. If it does, then I know my file has been updated with them. If no card comes, I guess it's off to their office.

[antda 13]

Hello everybody. I think that this is a little issue that I have right now. I have just become US citizen two days ago. I tell the thruth that I tried to update my Social Security Administration and PA State License records; unfortunately, it was not updated my federal record from USCIS, so it was not possible. In the SSA office, they told me that the reason it was not updated already in their federal systems that is called SAVE (federal system that matches USCIS and SSA records with other federal agencies); the lady told me you have to come in about 10 days because your Certificate of Citizenship is brand new, of course I told her it was issued the same day. Now, I went to the PA Drivers License officed to update the State record and it appears the same result, my federal records were not updated right away. This is my question: Is it normal to wait or expect at least few business days to expect to update the federal and State records? If so, How many days anybody recommend me to expect or wait? All the new US citizens need to update the big records as soon as possible, so in case of any problem or any benefit is easier for them to realize and know that I'm US citizen. ANY COMMENTS? ANY SUGGESTIONS? HOW MANY DAYS DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I CAN GO TO THE SSA AND PA STATE DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICE? I would like any feedback, comment, suggestion or recommendation from anybody who has done this or who has happened this same scenario that his/her immigration USCIS record is not updated already and therefore, the others mainly the federal and state records cannot be updated. Thanks and bye,

Jcrom-Congrats on being a new US Citizen! Sorry though, that you had problems with them updating your records to reflect your new Citizenship status. And I hope that you do get that updated and resolved soon. I don't know about PA, but I do know that it can vary in terms of the time they take to updating things. With that in mind, you should plan ahead accordingly, especially if you are in a hurry for travel reasons and/or other reasons.

Lol..If it makes you feel any better, likewise, the SSA was going to delay my updates too. But I INSISTED that they do it right then and there, without further delays and/or problems.....

And I got everything else (SSA, DMV, etc.) updated within a week (see my VJ signature for more info), with no problems either...

By the way, I posted this before on VJ, but I thought it would help here too...

First of all, try this link...(as recommended by other VJers)

What to do after the oath ceremony

http://www.newcitizen.us/after.html

And this is what it says about updating social security......

Step 5. Report Your Change in Citizenship to the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration requires any person who has a change in his or her immigration or citizenship status to report that change to the Social Security Administration (see Your Social Security Number And Card ).

Reporting this change is actually to the benefit of you, the new citizen. Why?

The social security database will be updated showing you as a US citizen. This database is shared with all federal agencies and many state agencies further validating your US citizenship status with the federal and state governments.

With your social security records updated showing you as a US citizen, it will be much easier in the future to apply for and receive all social security benefits entitled to you.

If you ever have to replace your social security card, obtaining a new card will be easier now that you are a US citizen.

Lastly, in some states, certain disability benefits are only available to US citizens. By changing your citizenship status with the Social Security Administration you will ensure you receive all disability, retirement and social security benefits for which you qualify as a US citizen.

You must report the change by completing Form SS-5 and by visiting your local Social Security Administration office in person. The change can be done by mail, but we do not recommend it. To find the office nearest you, see Office Locator.

When you visit the Social Security Administration office, you must bring proof of US citizenship such as your Certificate of Naturalization or your US passport and some other form of picture ID such as a drivers license. You must also bring the completed Form SS-5 or you can just obtain the form there and complete it while you are waiting.

Your will be interviewed by the Social Security Administration office staff. They will verify your citizenship and then update your records. Updating your social security records will not result in a new social security card being issued to you unless there were restrictions on your old card. If you would like a new social security card, make a request for one during your interview with the office staff.

For me, updating social security helped too, as I needed that so that I could apply for my NYS Enhanced Driver's License, for cross-border travelling purposes, which the DMV verified my citizenship status there with the SSA. As well, if you ever apply for a US Passport, more likely than not, they will verify your citizenship status with the SSA too, so that you can get your passport. Also, employers may check your social security number and citizenship status with the SSA too, so might be needed for employment services. I also got a new social security card too, when I updated my status (though I didn't need a new one, but they just sent me one anyways...now I have 2 cards...lol...).

It's not that hard to update social security..All you have to do is show them your citizenship certificate, fill out a couple of forms, and they will do the update right away, especially if you have been a citizen for awhile.

Think of the SSA as a "central database" for others to verify your citizenship status with. And if you get that updated, then everyone else is update too.

Hope this helps too. Good luck with your journey after citizenship too...

Ant

Edited June 23, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA