Apply for SSN right away or wait after married?

[J & J 3]

Hi All,

I just would like some peoples opinions on this topic.

I'm going to be entering the U.S Sept 9th..and we are getting married Nov 14th.

I am planning on taking my fiancés name.

I don't drive and my money is already taken care of with my fiancé...

When would be the best time to apply??

Apply for SSN a few days after arriving then just change to my married name after married?

OR

Just wait till after we are married to apply for SSN?

Would there be any trouble in getting my SSN in my married name without apply for one in my maiden name that's on the visa?

What have others done??

Thanks...Wouldn't mind hearing other peoples experiences!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I actually had a similar timeline when I moved here last year. I entered the US on June 13 and got married on August 6th. Personally, I went and applied for an SSN shortly after I arrived. I wanted to be added onto my husbands bank accounts as soon as possible, so I could get my own debit and credit cards. I found that the hardest thing to deal with when I first arrived to be honest. I paid off my Canadian credit cards before I moved, so I didn't want to touch them, but I didn't have a US card in my name yet. I really hate having to carry cash.

One thing to consider, is that the SS office won't give you an SSN unless your I-94 is still valid. I believe they want you to have at least two weeks of validity left, as it generally takes at least this long to have the card processed. If you wait until after you get married, and then wait until your marriage certificate arrives, you may not have enough validity left on the I-94 to get an SSN. You would need to wait until you receive your EAD or GC in order to obtain one. This might be challenging if you end up with an AOS interview, as you wouldn't have much time to have your name added to accounts for evidence.

[ashenflowers 5]

Have you checked on how long it will take to you to receive a marriage certificate after you're married? If it's only a few days, I'd suggest waiting until you receive it and applying under your new married name. I personally had no problems getting an SSN in my married name when I applied (I waited until after I changed my name obviously, but we were married only about 2 and a 1/2 weeks after POE).

However, if it's much longer than a few days to get the marriage certificate, Huggles is right. There might not be enough time left on your I-94 for them to issue you the SSN.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I arrived Nov 11 - got married 2 weeks later and then applied for my SSN in my married name late in Dec.

I think it depends like Huggles said on whether it's required for you to get added to bank accounts etc.... for me it was not so I waited and applied in my married name only - no hassle having to change the name later.

And no - they don't hassle you about getting it in your married name if you didn't already ahve one in your maiden name - no connection.

Come prepared with your marriage cert if you want it to be in your married name of course

Edited August 19, 2010 by Udella&Wiz

[Kathryn41 3,205]

A few years ago another VJer decided to wait until after marriage and then was too close to the end of the I-94 and they denied it. Unexpectedly, they found out she needed a SSN to be added to her husband's health insurance - they wouldn't budge - so wasn't able to do that until after her AOS was approved - which took a number of months - long enough in fact for her to become pregnant and have the baby - all without medical insurance because she didn't get the SSN early enough.

There have also been horror stories here of SSA not accepting the marriage certificate to change a name after marriage even when the I-94 is still valid and by the time the problem was worked out (a lot of back and forth) the I-94 was no longer valid and they also weren't able to get the SSN until after they got their EAD or green card.

Life happens. Unexpected stuff happens. A lot of things here in the US revolve around having a SSN - unlike in Canada where only the government is allowed to use or access your S.I.N, for example - a Driver's License. In many states a SSN is required to get a DL along with an unexpired immigration status with a finite date (EAD or green card).

I would say get your SSN when you arrive then go back in and change the name after you are married. If they refuse to change the name until after the green card is processed, you still have your SSN and can still use it if it is required for things like health insurance, bank accounts, etc.

Edited August 19, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Colleens 40]

A few years ago another VJer decided to wait until after marriage and then was too close to the end of the I-94 and they denied it. Unexpectedly, they found out she needed a SSN to be added to her husband's health insurance - they wouldn't budge - so wasn't able to do that until after her AOS was approved - which took a number of months - long enough in fact for her to become pregnant and have the baby - all without medical insurance because she didn't get the SSN early enough.

There have also been horror stories here of SSA not accepting the marriage certificate to change a name after marriage even when the I-94 is still valid and by the time the problem was worked out (a lot of back and forth) the I-94 was no longer valid and they also weren't able to get the SSN until after they got their EAD or green card.

Life happens. Unexpected stuff happens. A lot of things here in the US revolve around having a SSN - unlike in Canada where only the government is allowed to use or access your S.I.N, for example - a Driver's License. In many states a SSN is required to get a DL along with an unexpired immigration status with a finite date (EAD or green card).

I would say get your SSN when you arrive then go back in and change the name after you are married. If they refuse to change the name until after the green card is processed, you still have your SSN and can still use it if it is required for things like health insurance, bank accounts, etc.

Great points Katherine. I was required to have my SSN to be added to insurance as well. I waited until after we were married and I had my marriage certificate with me and they would only issue it in my maiden name still. To me it wasn't worth the hassle of going back and forth to try to change it, so I decided to just wait until I get my EAD and need to have the notation removed off of it, then I can change my name at the same time. But since my SSN number was in my maiden name, I had to get my DL isssued in my maiden name as well. For the bank I was able to take my marriage certificate and have accounts set up in my married name.

[Darnell 8,479]

J & J - I suggest 2 weeks after yer POE entry date, then apply in VISA name, bring passport and birth certificate.

Good Luck !

[J & J 3]

Thanks everyone for there feedback..It's very appreciated

I guess I will stick to being safe and get my SSN a week or two after I arrive the U.S. That way we can start a joint account and possibly start working on my drivers license.. I'll just have to change my name over on everything once we are married.

As for insurance, I'll probably have to wait until after we are married to be covered under my now fiancés insurance, but at least i'll have a SSN to work with.

Thanks ALL!!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Thanks everyone for there feedback..It's very appreciated

I guess I will stick to being safe and get my SSN a week or two after I arrive the U.S. That way we can start a joint account and possibly start working on my drivers license.. I'll just have to change my name over on everything once we are married.

As for insurance, I'll probably have to wait until after we are married to be covered under my now fiancés insurance, but at least i'll have a SSN to work with.

Thanks ALL!!

Reminder that you have to wait roughly a minimum of 2 weeks (or a little less/more) for your border paperwork to be processed into the system so the SSN folks can find you.

Don't go too early either

[Kimbear 53]

Thanks everyone for there feedback..It's very appreciated

I guess I will stick to being safe and get my SSN a week or two after I arrive the U.S. That way we can start a joint account and possibly start working on my drivers license.. I'll just have to change my name over on everything once we are married.

As for insurance, I'll probably have to wait until after we are married to be covered under my now fiancés insurance, but at least i'll have a SSN to work with.

Thanks ALL!!

depends on the company. davids covered me right away soon as i got to the usa before marriage and most of his other stuff he was able to add me as well. best to just call and ask.

[SupportGeek 21]

Reminder that you have to wait roughly a minimum of 2 weeks (or a little less/more) for your border paperwork to be processed into the system so the SSN folks can find you.

Don't go too early either

^^ This

Actually I went into the SS office after 3 weeks and they still couldnt find me, I was going to leave and come back but the lady told me shes seen this happen enough and knows how to "Skip a few steps" to get it completed.

So I left the application with her, and 2.5 weeks later I had my SSN

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Yeah I think that's pretty common. I went 3 weeks after my POE and they couldn't find me either. Even with the manual verification I had the card 2 weeks later.

It's pretty easy just to go change your name after you have the card in hand. It's an extra trip down to the SSN office, but it only takes a few minutes and some miles on your car.