Received Green Card....BUT no Social Security Number!

[Tnx 0]

I just received my Green card! The category says "CF1"

I had a major BRAIN-FART throughout my K-1 and AOS process.... I forgot all about the Social Security number!!! I have been wayyyyy too busy following the step by step guides! No step by step guide for K-1 visa and AOS states anything about applying for a social security number directly, so I completely forgot to even apply for one while I was on a k-1 visa status!

So basically I am confused! I have completed my Adjustment of status and is now holding my green card.... But how am I to go about getting a Social Security number?

Also if anyone would be so kind to tell me, I moved from the UK to Texas and hold a Uk driving license. Do I have to retake the exams again to get an American one?

[marriedtomrg 141]

You have to go down to your local SSA office and apply for one. You can download the form off their website and take it down with the requirements (it's listed on the form).

Check the local DMV office what their requirements are for getting a driver's license...in Florida, I have to take the test. Not sure what their requirements are if you are holding a valid UK driver's license.

I just received my Green card! The category says "CF1"

I had a major BRAIN-FART throughout my K-1 and AOS process.... I forgot all about the Social Security number!!! I have been wayyyyy too busy following the step by step guides! No step by step guide for K-1 visa and AOS states anything about applying for a social security number directly, so I completely forgot to even apply for one while I was on a k-1 visa status!

So basically I am confused! I have completed my Adjustment of status and is now holding my green card.... But how am I to go about getting a Social Security number?

Also if anyone would be so kind to tell me, I moved from the UK to Texas and hold a Uk driving license. Do I have to retake the exams again to get an American one?

[Darren&Laura 3]

I'm from England and live in Wyoming after entering on a K1. I had to take the full driving test too, (including the written test - I think it was about 60 questions, although they were all mainly very simple.) If you have a UK license and have adapted to driving in the US fine then I doubt you'll have a problem with the driving test in the US - it is MUCH easier than the UK test.

I applied at my local SSA office for a social security card not long after entering the country on a K1, (before getting married), and despite initially being turned away as being ineligible to apply for one, I stood my ground and told them they were mistaken before eventually they checked their systems and accepted my application. The card arrived in the mail about 4-5 days later.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Texas will require you to take a written test (on computer). Then you will also take a driving test in your car with a DPS state trooper. Go to your closest DPS office and get a free copy of the yellow driving handbook to study. Pay attention to the first part of the book where it talks about teen drivers and penalties for various things. The written test is geared toward teens so you will get several questions like "what is the penalty for a teen who .........." My husband totally skipped that section of the book then had lots of those questions on the test. The driving test is easy compared to the UK test. He took both the same day. Take your green card, Social Security card, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

** moved from "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas" to " Working & Traveling During US Immigration" as this is relating to SSN & drivers licence **

[I'm Gone 60]

But how am I to go about getting a Social Security number?

An alien applying for a work-authorized original SSN must present evidence to establish his or her age, identity, and employment authorization.

When requesting an SSN card, the documents presented, as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. SSA cannot accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence.

If an acceptable evidence document is in a language other than English and no other acceptable document is available, SSA will have the foreign language document translated by an authorized translator.

SSA translators comprise two groups:

-- Field office and Payment Center employees who volunteer their services as translators

-- Central Translation Section translators who hold actual translator positions.

GN 00301.340 Authorized Translators Defined:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200301340

For an original work authorized SSN request, an alien applicant must present at least two documents to establish age, identity, and current work authorization.

Example: If the immigration document, for example, Form I-551, is used to establish work authorization, and identity, the alien must provide another document to establish age.

If a foreign-born person has the foreign birth certificate in his/her possession or can easily obtain a copy, he or she must submit it as proof of age. In some situations, SSA can accept alternative evidence of age. The alternative evidence of age may be less than a year old, for example, a foreign passport.

You can find links to detailed information regarding evidence that establishes age on the SSA Web site:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110210250

The documents acceptable as evidence of identity are now based on three factors: (1) the applicant’s age, (2) the applicant’s citizenship/alien status, and (3) the relative value of documents.

Primary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (includes temporary I-551

stamp/machine readable immigrant visa (MRIV) in combination with an

unexpired foreign passport when the I-551 Permanent Resident Card

has not yet been issued)

Note: Document must be unexpired

RM 10210.405 Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110210405

RM 10210.420 List of Documents in Priority of Acceptability for Use as Evidence of Identity:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110210420

Employment Authorization Documents (unexpired):

-- I-551 (Stamp or card)

Documents that establish lawfully admitted for permanent residence (LAPR)

-- I-551 card

NOTE: Some LAPR aliens have conditional 2-year I-551s (Alien Registration Receipt Card), subject to the limitation that they must apply for removal of the conditional basis 90 days before the second anniversary of the admittance date to the United States. A conditional I-551 is identified by an expiration date 2 years later than the admittance/adjudication date is acceptable proof of permanent residency. For SSN purposes conditional resident aliens are treated as aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

-- Temporary I-551

Temporary evidence of immigrant status is issued for an alien to use

until the permanent I-551 card is received. This may be a stamp in the individual's passport or on the I-94.

RM 10211.025 Evidence of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status for an SSN Card:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211025

SSA cannot accept an application filing receipt or notice of action as evidence of an immigration document, or an immigration document with a “valid from” date in the future.

Exception: SSA can accept an expired I-551 card accompanied by a Form I-797C (Notice of Action) stating, “Your conditional resident status is extended for a period of one year as evidence of LPR status.

Take the required documents to the nearest Social Security office or Card Center. Individuals age 12 and over applying for an original SSN must apply in person.

You can obtain the address and directions to the nearest Social Security office from the Social Security Office Locator, which is available on the Internet:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

Applicants who live or receive mail in the Brooklyn, NY, Queens, NY, Phoenix, AZ, Orlando, FL, Sacramento, CA, or Las Vegas, NV area should apply at their local Social Security Card Center.

Individuals residing in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area should apply at the Twin Cities Card Center.

Card Center Information:

http://www.ssa.gov/cardcenters/cardcenterinfo.html

Normally, an SSN card is received in the mail within two weeks after the application and required document(s) have been received and verified.

However, when an alien requests an SSN or replacement card, SSA must verify his or her documents/current status with the appropriate bureau of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If the initial online verification is not possible through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, SSA may need to send a Form G-845 to the appropriate DHS Status Verification Office (SVO) for manual verification.

Social Security field offices can submit an additional electronic online verification, which with the majority of applications eliminates the need to send a Form G-845 along with a copy of the applicant’s immigration documents.

However, some applications still require a copy of the immigration document(s) to be mailed to the appropriate DHS SVO along with Form G-845 for manual verification.

All cards are mailed from Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland to the postal address provided on the application.

When am I legally required to provide my Social Security number:

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/78