Social Security Number

[bantam88 1]

Hi,

My family and I entered the United States on July 24, 2010 (family class immigrant visas).

On the DS230-part II, we checked off the 43a and 43b to have the Social Security Administration assign SSN and cards upon entering.

Our POE was quite hectic and we were in danger of missing our flight out of Toronto's Pearson Airport (the POE) so we could not really be sure of the process. The Customs and Border Protection officer that stamped our visas and took our packets wasn't sure how the SSA would be informed and thought we would have to go to the local SS office.

My understanding was that Department of Homeland Security would notify the SSA and no visits were required with the local office. I tried calling the USCIS number on the Department of Homeland Security webpage and the 1800 number for the Social Security Administration. Representatives for both would refer me to the other. Rather frustrating to say the least. Is there any way to be sure that the request for a Social security number is working its way through the system or is the only alternative to wait the 3 weeks to see if a card comes in through the mail? I start work on Tuesday with my company's US presence and fortunately, they would use a placeholder number in my paperwork in lieu of the SSN until I get it.

It is kind of hard to function without the SSN. Even the Arizona motor vehicles department advised we would need to wait for our SSN before applying to convert our Canadian drivers licenses to Arizona ones.

Thank you.

[Darnell 8,478]

Calling is useless - I hope you have discovered that by now?

Instead -

You could walk into any SSA office and inquire if a new card has been ordered for you

or

apply in person - be adamant about the SSA sub-human looking you up in the SAVE database.

Unfortunately, updates to SAVE database not occur in real time, usually they can find you within 2 weeks of the POE date.

Sure, ya ticked a box on the DS-230, and the bad news is - you might get a SSN card as a result of that tickbox, or maybe not - it's not consistent.

Good Luck !

Edited July 30, 2010 by Darnell

[Kimbear 53]

Unfortuneately ticking off that box does not always do anything, especially for those of us who came in on a k1 visa. Some Cr1 holders get it , others do not. Suggest you follow what Darnell suggested. And if you noticed the customs people were not too clear of what they were doing, then i suggest you definately wait the two weeks before going in to get your SSN.