Getting SSN with new name or maiden?

[lovenow 2]

Hi guys,

I arrived to the US 3.5 weeks ago with my K1 visa and got married to my love a week ago.

Since it was so hectic planning a wedding in 2 weeks I haven't gone to the SSA office yet and am planning to do so this Monday.

My question is- Should I already apply for a SSN with my new name? I am keeping my maiden name as a middle name (I don't have a middle name) so the full name would be: First, Maiden, New last name.

I know that most people first get their SSN before they are married and then change their last name after the wedding, but do you have to go this route? Is it not OK to get the new name already on the card and just fill in on the form that I have a maiden name?

What else do I need to do with the name changing? How do I let the immigration authority (USCIS???) know about my new name?

Thanks for your help, I'm so happy to finally be here with my baby!

[missicy 87]

You should be able to get a SSN in your new name, just bring your marriage certificate. Some SSA employees will tell you that you are not elegible for SSN now that you are married but you ARE, as long as your I-94 is still valid for at least 14 days.

You don't have to let USCIS know that you got married. Just apply for AOS in your new name and you will get your GC in your married name.

[Paul H 4]

Jenni didn't get her SSN until we were married. You will just need to bring your marriage certificate to show them.

We had to deal with some SSA issues since they didn't know that K-1 visa holders with unexpired I-94's could get a SSN prior to getting their EAD or green card. I emailed the head office and had someone call the local office to educate them and after that we had no more issues.

[Lise+Michael 13]

Jenni didn't get her SSN until we were married. You will just need to bring your marriage certificate to show them.

We had to deal with some SSA issues since they didn't know that K-1 visa holders with unexpired I-94's could get a SSN prior to getting their EAD or green card. I emailed the head office and had someone call the local office to educate them and after that we had no more issues.

I received my SSN, I was told that it had to be the name on my I94 in my passport and that once I receive my greencard I could get it changed to my married name. I had my marriage license with me and my NOA for AOS but it made no difference.

[Paul H 4]

I received my SSN, I was told that it had to be the name on my I94 in my passport and that once I receive my greencard I could get it changed to my married name. I had my marriage license with me and my NOA for AOS but it made no difference.

Yeah, there are a lot of SSA offices that just don't know the process and give you misinformation. Once we had our local Manassas, VA office educated Jenni was able to get her SSN card in her married name.

[jim&nay 1]

we had this same prob - I waited till I was married before I went for my SSN and they wouldn't give it to me. I am about to go back down to the office this week - any tips of things I can print and take with me to proove that I am intitled to one??

[Paul H 4]

we had this same prob - I waited till I was married before I went for my SSN and they wouldn't give it to me. I am about to go back down to the office this week - any tips of things I can print and take with me to proove that I am intitled to one??

Here are the email contents from the main SSA that I received. It's also good to have the name and phone number of someone from the main office to give the local office in case they still have questions. If you email SSA.Comments@SSA.gov they will response within a day or two and are very helpful.

--------------- start of email ---------------

-----Original Message-----

From: SSA.Comments <SSA.Comments@SSA.gov>

Sent: Thu, Nov 3, 2011 11:40 am

Subject: Response\4296429\Young DDSO 10087\

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

If you wish to e-mail us again to provide a phone number, and time of day, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (Eastern U.S. Time) where your fiancé can be reached, one of our representatives will be happy to call her.

In the meantime, you may find the following additional information helpful.

We suggest that individuals that have entered the United States with non-immigrant status wait at least 10 calendar days before submitting a Social Security number (SSN) application to allow the Department of Homeland Security time to record entry into their database, but individuals are not required to wait 10 days before applying.

RM 10213.305 Procedure when an SSN Applicant Files for an SSN within 10 Days of Arriving in the U.S or Having a Change in Status:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110213305

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.

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

We 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: We 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. Individuals age 12 or older applying for an original SSN and card 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

Normally, an SSN card should be 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, we 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, we 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.

Note: If the applicant has changed his/her name after an immigration document was issued, for example, married and is now using the married name, but has not obtained a corrected immigration document showing the new name; this is not a name discrepancy for enumeration purposes, that is, SAVE clearance, if the applicant can provide an acceptable legal name change document to establish the new name.

The 14-day status expiration limit for assigning an SSN and/or issuing a card applies even if an individual submitted his or her application before being within the 14-day period and entered the 14-day period while waiting for his or her status to be verified.

Our offices can also assist applicants by issuing a notice acknowledging the SSN application while documents are being verified.

RM 10205.215 Acknowledgement Requested for an Application for an SSN Card:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110205215

All cards are mailed from Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland to the postal address provided on the Form SS-5.

Individuals can contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) by calling the National Customer Service Center toll-free number, 1-800-375-5283, or visiting a local CIS office.

You can locate CIS offices on their Web site:

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices

Before going into a CIS office individuals first need to make an INFOPASS appointment:

http://infopass.uscis.gov

Finding the Status of Your Case:

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp

How Do I...Help My Fiancé(e)Become a Permanent Resident of the United States:

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/A2en.pdf

I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485instr.pdf

Application for Employment Authorization:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765instr.pdf

How Do I...Renew or Replace My Permanent Resident Card:

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/B2en.pdf

Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-751.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-751instr.pdf

You can find SSN and employment information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Web site:

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=129227,00.html

If ineligible to be assigned an SSN, Social Security offices can provide written notice using Form SSA-L676 to explain that an SSN cannot be assigned due to your fiancé/spouse not having provided authorization to work in the United States for SSN purposes, or evidence of a valid nonwork reason for needing an SSN.

Needing an SSN for school aid or enrollment, tax purposes, private health insurance, banking, credit cards, loans, or to be issued a state professional or driver’s license are NOT valid non work reasons for needing an SSN.

RM 10211.610 Valid Reasons to Assign an SSN for Nonwork Purposes:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211610

RM 10211.615 Invalid Nonwork Reasons for SSN Assignment:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211615

The IRS assigns Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to aliens for tax purposes who are not eligible to be assigned an SSN. A Form W-7, “Application for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number,” needs to be submitted to receive an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

You can download a form W-7 from the IRS Web site:

http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

You can contact the IRS ITIN office by calling 1-800-908-9982.

You can find additional information on the IRS Web site:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1915.pdf

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

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

An individual assigned an SSN based on K-1 status will be issued an SSN card with “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION,” printed on the card.

An SSN card having the legend, “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION,” only means that the number holder cannot use the SSN card as proof of authorization to work in the United States. It does not otherwise affect the validity of the card or number.

When an individual previously issued an SSN card with “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION” printed on it has been granted permanent residency, he or she can apply for a replacement SSN card that reflects the new immigration status.

An alien granted permanent residency status is eligible to be issued an unrestricted SSN card and will retain the originally assigned SSN.

----------------- end of email ------------------

[lovenow 2]

Thanks everyone!

Just got back from the SS card center in Phoenix and there were no problems at all!

The lady said I was already in their system and she was able to order the card with my new last name!

All she needed from me was my passport with the visa and I-94 in it, my original birth certificate and our certified copy of the marriage license. She didn't even want that SS-5 form I brought with me...

The card should arrive by mail in 7-10 days. Make sure you add your name to the post address you give they won't deliver it otherwise.

I guess since Phoenix is one of the big card centers they know what they're doing there, thank god!

More questions to come regarding AOS on another thread.

Thanks again VJ'S!

[halfwing 0]

RM 10212.001 Defining the Legal Name for an SSN:

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

This was so awesome today!

We were able to help the clerk at the social security office understand the process and Lucia has her Social Security number in her married name!

He kept telling us that she had to get the number in her maiden name then change it once her residence card was issued. I kept telling him that I couldn't see how he was getting that from the document I printed form the Social Security Administration website and he finally agreed. He had been trained to do it a different way than what was stated on the SSA website but once he was given the opportunity to read the instructions for himself, he agreed and Lucia has her SS# in her married name!

Now we can get her driver's license and we won't have to go back through a bunch of name changed later.

Thanks again to VisaJourney, all the active members and in this instance, Paul H. for posting this useful information.