; I am soooo pissed off!!

[Robert&Karen 264]

Almost makes you want to just wait until the GC shows up.

[Adam&Noory 0]

Hi!!

Don't be angry! you'll be fine, when i came in USA in April 27th, I applied for my social security card on May 2011. It was on my maiden name because they want to see the Green Card first then they can put your Married name on the Social Security Card, So last month i received my Green Card, I went to Social Security Office with my husband on August 23rd, We told them we need to change my maiden name to married name. So all Done now! I got my Social Security Card with my married name on it by mail on September 12.

They need to see your Green card first so that they can put your married name on the social security card.

we wish you best of luck!!

[Channah&Aaron 51]

; I'm going to look for a new office today, because I don't want have 2 last names LOL

Hopefully they can change my last name, if not, I'm going to eat my darn shoe

I'll keep yall updated, so lets hope for the best!!

[DaveE 178]

It probably has to do with how many immigrants the local office services. Our office is very familiar with the rules. Four days after arrival, we married, and the next week they approved the social security card in her married name. Heck we hadn't even applied for AOS yet.

[Channah&Aaron 51]

; Does it make a difference?

We are going to send out our AOS package either today or this monday.. But it shouldn't matter since the fact I got married, right?

I was supposed to go to an other Office today, but it's too far away to make it in time

[cutie bear 2]

; let me start from the beginning as of it gives you a better view into the situation ...

* I came to the US August 12th 2011

* got married in Texas on August 28th

* filed for SSN a couple of days later.

This is what happened when I filed for SSN that day;

I asked this lady that I would like to apply for SSN/Card and she said OK. I told her about K1 and that I got married and that I'd like to have my husbands, thus my new last name on my SSCard. She said it wasn't possible because me changing my name should be approved by USCIS first (she was going through a file with procedures/information about K1's).

I told her that I didn't understand her. I came here on a K1 Fiance(e) Visa and got married 2 weeks after my arrival, so within 90 days and I also brought my valid passport with visa & I-94 inside of it AND my certified Marriage License.

Yet, she told me, a little aggrivated that she couldn't change my name as of, once again, it should be approved by USCIS.

Ok, same day, I posted a topic here about what I should do. Most of the VJ members told me that I should wait for my SSCard with my maiden name on it, and change it to my husbands name as soon as I received my SScard. Alright.....

I received my SScard a week after I applied, and 2 weeks later, TODAY, I went back to the Social Security Office to change my last name.

This is what happened today, take two ;

I came into the office and got called by the same lady who "helped" me the first time I got there. I told her that I'd like to change my last name since I received my SScard with my maiden name. Again, I brought my passport with K1 Visa, I-94, and my certified Marriage License. She asked, weren't you here before a couple of weeks to apply for a SScard? I told her yes and that I received my SScard with my maiden name, but since I got married with my USC husband, I'd like to wear HIS name.

She then started to put up this attitude, saying: what did I tell you last time?!!! I can't change your name until you get approval from USCIS. I told her with one eyebrow raised HOW? She then said that I have to change my name on my I-94!!!! I'm like, that is the white paper that I received in my passport as soon as I got through Customs and Border Security in the airport. How am I supposed to get a new I-94? Go out of the country, which I'm not allowed because I haven't received an AP yet or GC. So, since I didn't understand I asked her what she meant. She couldn't give me a straight answer and her attitude got worse:"I don't know how often I need to explain to you that I can't change your name, contact Homeland Security!!!!"

& then I got all aggrivated saying, you're the one who works here and should know what I need to do in order to get my name changes because I thought my Marriage License was enough to change my name since I am MARRIED! Then she started talking about that I can only get my name changed if I have my EAD or GC and contact Homeland Security.

Ok, so this is what happened as of I thought I could change my last name on my SScard since I married my USC husband.

I am just confused because I thought it was easy to change my last name .

What's the best thing I should do, wait til I get my EAD or GC?

I had the same experience when I first applied, they said I need an approval from USCIS but I did my research, send them an email and went to a different office.

Here's their response to my email, I hope you will find it useful:

Thank you for contacting the Social Security Administration regarding eligibility to be assigned a Social Security number.

An individual that entered the United States with K-1 status applying for a work authorized SSN must present evidence at one of our offices to establish his or her age, identity, and current lawful employment authorized status.

An individual needs to provide at least two documents as evidence to establish age, identity, and current lawful employment authorized status.

Example: If the immigration document, for example, Form I-94, Form I-551, Form I-766, is used to establish work authorization and identity, the alien must provide another document to establish age.

We will not assign an SSN or issue a card to an individual that is within 14 days of his or her alien status expiring. Until the 76th day after entry an individual with K-1 status only needs to provide an unexpired I-94 showing current K-1 status to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

Once, an individual that entered the United States with K-1 status has been in the United States 76 days he or she will need another document, for example, Form I-551, Form I-766, to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

RM 10211.420 Employment Authorization for Non-immigrants:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211420

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

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

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

We accept all marriage documents issued within the 50 United States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

RM 10212.025 Evidence of Name Change based on a US Ceremonial Marriage:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212025

We can accept a name change document based on marriage as evidence of the new name to be shown on the card, if the new name can be derived from the marriage document.

Any of the following changes to the last name, using the names shown on the evidence, are permitted:

-- bride takes the groom’s last name;

-- groom takes bride’s last name;

-- spouse or takes the other parties’ last name;

-- spouse or takes one part of the other parties’ compound surname;

-- compound name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse’s original

surname for either or both parties.

Example:

Lisa Foster submits evidence of the name change event, her US ceremonial marriage to Bryan Lee-Walsh. She wants to change her surname to a compound surname, Foster Lee, with only part of Bryan’s surname. Since this new name can be derived from the prior names shown on the marriage document, the marriage document is acceptable evidence of the new name. We may also change Lisa’s surname to one of the following if she requests it:

-- WALSH,

-- LEE-WALSH (or reverse, with or without space or hyphen),

-- LEE FOSTER (with or without space or hyphen, Foster Lee could also

have a hyphen or not have a space)

-- FOSTER WALSH (or reverse, with or without space or hyphen)

-- FOSTER LEE WALSH (in any order, with or without spaces or hyphens)

The marriage document can also be used as acceptable evidence of identity, if it shows Lisa’s prior name (Lisa Foster) and either her age, birth date, or parents’ names, that matches the data on the SSN record, and the marriage took place within the prior two years.

RM 10212.055 Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN based on Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partnership:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212055

This is in addition to proof of current lawful employment authorized status.

A foreign-born person’s legal name is the name shown on his or her immigration document, for example, Form I-94.

If the required documents show clearly different names, we cannot accept the evidence to process the application. In these situations, the applicant must submit evidence showing the same name, or submit evidence of a name change that occurred after the immigration document was issued.

RM 10212.001 Defining the Legal Name for an SSN:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212001

When requesting an SSN card, the documents presented, as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We 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, we 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

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 we can accept alternative evidence of age. The alternative evidence of age may be less than a year old, for example, foreign passport.

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

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

The documents acceptable as evidence of identity are 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 in combination with an unexpired foreign passport when the I-

551 Permanent Resident Card has not yet been issued)

-- Form I-94, Arrival/departure Record in combination with an

unexpired foreign passport

-- Form I-766, Employment Authorization card in combination with an

unexpired foreign passport

Note: Document must be unexpired

Secondary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Unexpired valid U.S. driver’s license (excludes licenses known to

be suspended or revoked)

-- U.S. State issued non-driver identity card (issued by the same

State agency which issues driver’s licenses/State-level agency with

issuing authority over the State’s identity card and not expired)

-- Marriage document showing in addition to the applicant’s name

either the applicant’s date of birth (DOB) or age

-- Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or hospital) or

letter providing extract data from the medical record showing in

addition to the applicant’s name, the applicant’s DOB or age

-- Health insurance or Medicaid card showing, in addition to the

person’s name, either a photograph of the person or his/her DOB

-- School identity card or record (for current school year) showing,

in addition to the applicant’s name, either a photograph of the

applicant or the applicant’s DOB

-- Life insurance policy for the person showing his/her age or DOB.

However, the acceptability of an identity document must be evaluated on a case by case basis by the office processing the application.

[Andy and Pui 16]

Channah&Aaron, what I would do is print the rules that people have posted about social security and being allowed to change your name and highlight what you need to prove your point. March right back to the office you were at before and hope you get the same lady from the last few times. If she give you any lip ask for her supervisor. If you go back make sure to get her name or badge number so you can email social security and file a complaint against her and ask that office receive more training. Good luck!

[sofya 10]

This is the biggest load of Bull ####### I have ever heard of. I like Inky had no issues at all. I was married 3 weeks went into SS office and got SSN in my married name. Showed my passport and marriage certificate/ license and he was so good and had no problems with doing it at all. When I went to take the DHS work authority off again no problem he just rechecked my parents name hence my maiden name and my last married name and he took the DHS off no worries and this is in Augusta GA. Some have suggested go to another SS office or ask for someone who knows the bloody laws. You should not have to go through this #######. But if they persist in not knowing then yeah you may have to wait for GC which is rubbish. And get a new I-94 WTH? She is on too much coffee this lady at SS office or too much something or maybe not enough of something lol.

I concur. You should go to the Social Security office and DEMAND to speak to the officer director. It is illegal to deny you name change based on your K-1 status. For as long as you have a right to SSN (which you do) and you're married to a USC, you only need your passport and marriage certificate to change your name. Everything else is called discrimination and you may as well sue them, and you will win. I changed my name without any USCIS approval ####### when I got married on a J-1, which is not even closely related to K-1 or any other immigration type visa. That employee is giving you terrible service and should be sacked. DEMAND the supervisor next time you're there and if they continue to mistreat you, file a complaint with the state office of SSA.

Edited September 16, 2011 by sofya

[Kiskeya10 0]

Relaxxxx ! You can either wait for your GC -or any letter from USCIS- to arrive with the new name or you can go to a different office. I know it's a frustrating issue, but I wouldn't stress too much over it...

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

There isn't any advantage to changing name on the SScard.

I think it's normal that since I'm MARRIED and decided to have my husband's name, I want it on any kind of identity because this is the name I wear since the very first day we got married and will have for the rest of my life.. why still have my maiden name? I am proud to wear his name

That I understand. I also understand that you'd want a U.S. driver's license as quickly as possible, and perhaps some other things.

But unfortunately life doesn't always work that way. You did the right move in getting a SSN as quickly as possible, and once you have your EAD or Green Card, you can change the name on your SSA records, get a new card, and get a driver's license.

If you don't want to, you will never, ever, have to show your SS card to anybody as long as you live. All that you will need to submit is the number, and the number never changes.

So while there's an advantage on having a SSN, and there's no advantage of having a different name on it, don't you think that's not really a battle worth fighting right now?

[Robert&Karen 264]

If you don't want to, you will never, ever, have to show your SS card to anybody as long as you live. All that you will need to submit is the number, and the number never changes.

Unless you want a federal student loan. When I was in college they sent the kids to get replacement SS cards all day long.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Ann came over on a K-1 visa and we were able to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) for her immediately. After we were married, we took the marriage certificate back to the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and requested a card with her married name. They obliged ... we were literally in and out in about fifteen minutes ... and we received a new card in the mail in about a week. If there are other SSA offices reasonably near where you live, you may want to give them a try, because the one with which you are dealing is clearly out to lunch when it comes to dealing with these matters.

Good luck!

Joe

Chinook and I are K-1ers too. Our story is the same as yours. We also had no problem.

About a week after she arrived in the U.S., Chinook applied for a Social Security number at our local Social Security office. The card arrived in the mail about a week or so later. About a month later, we got married. A few days after we got married, we went to the county clerk's office and picked up a few copies of our official marriage record. Then we went straight to the Social Security office and Chinook filed for a name change. Chinook received the new card in the mail a week or so later. After that, we filed for AOS.

Getting a Social Security card or changing your name on a Social Security card does not depend on which state you live in. It's a federal program and not subject to state restrictions.

In the OP's case, I would go to a different office. I would also complain to the SSA about the employees in the first office.

[Dan and Judy 614]

Same here. It just shows my maiden name and my husband's full name. Nowhere does it show my new married name. I took my marriage certificate and they changed it no problem. Here in CA (not sure elsewhere) you cannot get a DL in your married name unless you have first changed your name with SSA. So that idea may not work. My suggestion if possible...go to another SS office and speak to someone else. Also, it sounds like emailing the SSA website may work as well. I have never heard of getting the I-94 in a new name. How is that even possible? Obviously this woman does not know anything about this process. Good luck! I hope you can sort it out soon!

I wonder if the marriage certificate is different for different counties?