Am I eligible for a SSN?

[InsomniacDoze 0]

I entered the country on a K1 visa on April 23rd. We got married on May 2nd. Yesterday, I went to get a SSN card and was told I couldn't have one until I adjusted my status with immigration, because I'd gotten married. The lady was rather rude who served me, she wasn't letting us ask questions. The only answer I got was that my "information wouldn't match up" if she inputted the data. She said I could have gotten one before I'd gotten married, but I got married BEFORE I would have been able to apply for a SSN.

I phoned Social Security on their 1-800 number when I got home. I was put on hold 4-5 times then told they had no idea and gave me the number for Homeland Security. So I phoned Homeland Security, explained what happened and the guy on there said that as long as my I-94 is valid, I should be able to get a SSN (although not authorized for work, which I knew already) regardless on whether I'm married or not.

Has anybody else come across this problem? Do I go back and re-apply? because they still had no idea when I phoned them, I don't know how to prove I'm entitled to a number.

Edited May 17, 2011 by InsomniacDoze

[Inky 1,110]

I went to the SSN office here the day after we married and applied for my SSN in my married name. Got it 4 weeks later in the mail.

As long as your I-94 still has more than 12 days of validity left they should be able to put the request in for your SSN.

[Anh map 2,098]

Go back and bring a copy of the info in the SSN Guide here on VJ http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn That ought to help the person that you meet at the SS office. K1's are a fairly rare thing so there's a decent chance a person just isn't familiar with the situation. Like Inky, we married first and then got the SSN. It wasn't a problem.

[InsomniacDoze 0]

I did bring that with me! That's why I can't understand it.

[nickbits 43]

Yes you can. Go to a different office or hope you get a different person. My wife had to try twice when she changed her name after we married but she got it done.

[Harsh_77 718]

Since you are married now you will have to wait until you do your AOS, your name has been changed and they would not issue u the SSN on your maiden name.

SSN office personal are known for no customer service, they are one of the most horrible, they are like machine they don’t know anything out of the daily routine.

You will get a SSN where you will be able to work, what Homeland Security personal told you is not completely correct.

Once you complete your AOS you should have your GC and you are completely eligible to work.

[nickbits 43]

Since you are married now you will have to wait until you do your AOS, your name has been changed and they would not issue u the SSN on your maiden name.

SSN office personal are known for no customer service, they are one of the most horrible, they are like machine they don’t know anything out of the daily routine.

You will get a SSN where you will be able to work, what Homeland Security personal told you is not completely correct.

Once you complete your AOS you should have your GC and you are completely eligible to work.

Not true. My wife did exactly that.

POE

Got Married

Got SSN in maiden name

Filed AOS

Got SSN in married name (this step took 2 tries)

--nick

[Andy and Pui 16]

Yes you can. I wonder if you talked to the same person this visa journey member did. My link. Good luck. I'm thinking of printing that when I have to go get Pui's ssn in case I run into any problems.

[Inky 1,110]

Since you are married now you will have to wait until you do your AOS, your name has been changed and they would not issue u the SSN on your maiden name.

SSN office personal are known for no customer service, they are one of the most horrible, they are like machine they don’t know anything out of the daily routine.

You will get a SSN where you will be able to work, what Homeland Security personal told you is not completely correct.

Once you complete your AOS you should have your GC and you are completely eligible to work.

Thats is untrue. I got mine right after we married no problems. There are many others on VJ that have as well. You do not have to wait until after AOS.

You job will not get you an SSN you have to get it yourself. You cannot get a paying job without an SSN. Most jobs request to see the actual SSN card and not just a number from your memory.

GC does make you eligible to work BUT you must have your SSN, you will not be hired without one.

[Harsh_77 718]

Not true. My wife did exactly that.

POE

Got Married

Got SSN in maiden name

Filed AOS

Got SSN in married name (this step took 2 tries)

--nick

SSN office is crazy, my wife(USC) had to wait until she got her DL with maiden name and it was stupid coz they would accept the state issued document, but they would not accept the documents that Feds accept as her name has changed.

[I'm Gone 60]

You can either go back to that office and ask to see a manager, since the person that waited on you is wrong, or try another office.

Throw this one on them, ask them that since you can change your name without work authorization, or a valid non work reason, why can't you do it when the I-94 is still valid, and RM 10211.420 C1 establishes an individual with K-1 status and unexpired I-94 as being work authorized.

RM 10211.605 Request for a Replacement SSN Card Obtained for a Nonwork Purpose

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211605

A. Correcting Numident data when a replacement card cannot be issued

If the alien does not provide evidence of work authorization or a valid nonwork reason, explain that we cannot issue a replacement card.

1. Alien provides documentation supporting the change

Although the FO cannot issue a replacement card, you may correct the Numident if the alien provides documentation supporting the change (e.g., a name change).

If the alien provides documentation supporting the change, process the replacement card application to update the Numident information but suppress the issuance of a card.

Answer “yes” to the "Suppress card issuance" question on the SSNAP Additional Information screen and record the nonwork reason documentation on the SSNAP Proof of Legal Alien Status screen.

Provide written notice, using Form SSA-L676, to explain that we cannot issue a replacement card because the applicant did not present appropriate authorization permitting him or her to work in the U.S. and has not provided evidence of a valid nonwork reason for an SSN.

BTW At which SSA office did you try to apply?

[Darnell 8,478]

I think you hit another brain dead SSA employee. They abound, sorry.

Suggest a difference office, apply in I-94 name, then come back 2 days later, check at that office to see if the number has been issued, they will give you the number.

A few weeks after you receive the card, go back, have the name changed with yer marriage certificate in hand.

My apologies, most SSA clerks need re-training.

[InsomniacDoze 0]

Thank you very much for all your helpful responses.

The office I went to was in Silverdale, WA.

[Barbara J 115]

Thank you very much for all your helpful responses.

The office I went to was in Silverdale, WA.

Go to another office darl, and pray you get someone who knows what they are doing. I was married 2 weeks and went to SS office and he looked me up under my name onpassport and then asked me would I like the SS card in my married name and I said yes and he said no problem, he conferred with a supervisor to the correct form and no problem. I had my passport and marriage license with me and I received SS card in 2 weeks.

It is not true you have to wait till AOS as everyone has said as long as your I-94 has not expired you are sweet.

[I'm Gone 60]

I think you should go back into the office and try again.