Social Security Number

[Tim and Erin 3]

I did not apply for a social security number before we married. I just filed for AOS last week. On all the forms where it asked for SSN I put "none." Just wondering if I can go ahead and apply for SSN now while I'm waiting for AOS. Do I go to Social Security office and bring i.d. and marriage certificate?

Another unrelated question, just out of curiosity.....How long after sending off AOS package can I expect to hear back from them, and for the check to be cashed?

[YuAndDan 153]

K-1 is able to get SSN within the 90 days noted on the I-94 card, after that and you will need to show work authorization to get one, (EAD or Green-card), SSA will not issue a number if there is less than 10 days left on the I-94.

K-1 is authorized SSN for one reason only, to get married, some states will not issue a marriage license to a person without SSN, this has to do with a fed-law that requires SSN for persons applying for a license as in Driving, hunting, fishing, business, professional, marriage license...

Since you are now married the reason for issuing a SSN is no longer there, and many SSA offices will refuse to issue one until you have employment authorization.

As for timeline, Check cash, and NOA1 week-10 days or so. Bio a month or so later, EAD arround the 90 day mark, green-card at 3-6 months, baring anything like an RFE.

[Tim and Erin 3]

Thanks for the reply. You and others here have been very helpful.

Regarding "week to 10 days" for NOA1...Will we know at that point whether we will receive RFE, or will that come after? Do they normally determine everything is in order before cashing the check? If there is RFE (*fingers crossed*), do you know how soon we would receive one?

[Haarp425 26]

Since you are now married the reason for issuing a SSN is no longer there, and many SSA offices will refuse to issue one until you have employment authorization.

Some SSA offices interpret the rules and procedures differently.

However, Note: Marriage does not affect an individual with K-1 status's eligibility to be assigned an SSN, or issued a card.

Review my post on similar issue.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/296376-eligibility-to-be-assigned-a-social-security-number/

[Dave&Roza 748]

K-1 is able to get SSN within the 90 days noted on the I-94 card, after that and you will need to show work authorization to get one, (EAD or Green-card), SSA will not issue a number if there is less than 10 days left on the I-94.

K-1 is authorized SSN for one reason only, to get married, some states will not issue a marriage license to a person without SSN, this has to do with a fed-law that requires SSN for persons applying for a license as in Driving, hunting, fishing, business, professional, marriage license...

Since you are now married the reason for issuing a SSN is no longer there, and many SSA offices will refuse to issue one until you have employment authorization.

As for timeline, Check cash, and NOA1 week-10 days or so. Bio a month or so later, EAD arround the 90 day mark, green-card at 3-6 months, baring anything like an RFE.

Note quite accurate. Roza and I married December 30, 2010 and she applied for her SSN January 10, 2011 in her maiden name. She has yet to get the card, but we went back to the SSA office on January 31, 2011 and received a printout with her number on it. Unless you tell SSA you are married--i.e. show them your marriage license--how do they know?

If you are still 14 days from your I-94 expiry date, then go to your local SSA office and apply for your SSN. Take your passport as a form of ID to prove age and identy, your I-94 for proof of immigration status and we took along the translated birth certificate just in case--not needed but it is better to have it with you and not need it then to need it and not have it with you. The hardest part of this for us was the long wait at the office. It seems that around 1pm ios the best time as they have the most officers working and the fewest people there waiting. The typical wait has been about 45 minutes for our three trips to the SSA office.

Good luck. I would recommend you get the SSN in her maiden name first and then cahnge it with the marriage license as getting the number is the most improtant thing, the name on the card is not that important until you apply for retirement benefits.. How many people actually see your SSC. I do not even carry mine. All you have to do it be able to rattle off the number and most places are happy.

Dave

[kaospouse 5]

Related to this topic. I am about 45 days into the AOS process (case transferred to CSC) but do not yet have an SSN for my wife. Supposing I get EAD approval in a few weeks, how soon after notification should I wait before trying for the SSN? Should I wait until I have the physical card or will her approval be in a database that will satisfy SSA's conditions?

Or should I even try to apply for the card in the meantime just to see what happens?

[Tim and Erin 3]

Thanks Haarp425 for that link. Wow, you sure got the run around! Your link with your own personal experience with SSN will be very helpful to vj members.

Dave&Roza: My I-94 has expired, so going to the SS office would be futile. I have to wait for my EAD.

kaospouse: I am also interested in answers you get to your questions. It would be great to be able to work sooner than expected.