Havent got Green card, can i apply for SSN now?

[utopia2004 2]

Ok i changed my address and i haven't received my green card or welcome letter. But can I get a SSN now with my stamp/green card in my passport? I came through JFK. until the one in the mail arrives?

I just read on another thread that you can. Ive had a really bad time since arriving, my previous post explains my situation.

Ive been here 2 weeks so far, how long does it usually take to get a welcome letter etc?

[Saylin 1,605]

Ok i changed my address and i haven't received my green card or welcome letter. But can I get a SSN now with my stamp/green card in my passport? I came through JFK. until the one in the mail arrives?

I just read on another thread that you can. Ive had a really bad time since arriving, my previous post explains my situation.

Ive been here 2 weeks so far, how long does it usually take to get a welcome letter etc?

You don't need the green card to get a SSN. Just your birth certificate and your passport with the visa and stamp in it.

As for the green card, it could be a few weeks to a few months before receiving it. You can try calling USCIS or making an InfoPass appointment at a local branch.

Are you positive it didn't go to your husband's place and just not tell you?

[Mononoke28 135]

Your paperwork has to be processed by the USCIS first so that the SSA office can see your info in the system. I went in with my husband (the beneficiary) after he arrived and they wouldn't give him his SSN because he didn't show up in the system. Once the USCIS processed his POE paperwork, the SSA found him in the system and issued him a card which was like six weeks after he arrived.

Diana

[utopia2004 2]

thanks i dont have my birth certificate, i sent that all to NVC. I have my passport and driving licence.. also credit cards.. is that ok?

I did a change of address so I dont think it would have gone there, and i have a friend who has been checking the mail and he hasnt seen it.. but yeah its a possibility i guess.

[Darnell 8,478]

Ok i changed my address and i haven't received my green card or welcome letter. But can I get a SSN now with my stamp/green card in my passport? I came through JFK. until the one in the mail arrives?

I just read on another thread that you can. Ive had a really bad time since arriving, my previous post explains my situation.

Ive been here 2 weeks so far, how long does it usually take to get a welcome letter etc?

YES. Go in to the SSA office, fill out the form, give it to a clerk.

ASK THE CLERK to look you up in the SAVE database by A# and VISA name.

If any problem with SAVE database [A# wrong or VISA Name mis-spelled]

stop.

Withdraw yer application.

Get into the local CBP deferrred inspection/secondary inspection office. Get the shift supervisor. Show him/her the problem - ask for it to be corrected, tell him/her you will wait there whilst it's corrected.

Then get back to SSA office, try again, 3 to 5 days after visiting the CBP office. SAVE database updates are never in real time - whilst CBP's edit is in real time - SSA won't see it in SAVE for 3 to 5 days later.

---

If they find you in SAVE database, regardless, then is OK for the SS-5 to be finished up there, let the clerk finish up with the application process. If they don't find you in save (without errors) then yer not in SAVE database yet - come back in another week.

Once yer SS-5 is successfully 'taken' there at the SSA office, come back the next day - clerk can give you the SSN [not the card, just the number] and then you wait up to 2 weeks for the card to arrive.

Good Luck! [and stuff] Getting an SSN is dead easy - but what makes it triply hard are the brain-dead, improperly trained clerks at the SSA office. Insisting on SAVE verification prior to having them accept the SS-5 is useful, else they will attempt a USCIS verification - which can take 4 to 8 weeks. You don't want to play with any USCIS verification.

Edited January 25, 2012 by Darnell

[Saylin 1,605]

thanks i dont have my birth certificate, i sent that all to NVC. I have my passport and driving licence.. also credit cards.. is that ok?

I did a change of address so I dont think it would have gone there, and i have a friend who has been checking the mail and he hasnt seen it.. but yeah its a possibility i guess.

You were supposed to get all your documents back at the interview. You're going to need your birth certificate. You have to provide documents to prove four things: immigration status, work eligibility, age, and identity. You can only use one document for just two purposes and you have to provide at least two documents. I'm not sure if they'll accept your driver's license as proof.

[canada_socks 97]

You were supposed to get all your documents back at the interview. You're going to need your birth certificate. You have to provide documents to prove four things: immigration status, work eligibility, age, and identity. You can only use one document for just two purposes and you have to provide at least two documents. I'm not sure if they'll accept your driver's license as proof.

It may depend on the office...I used my drivers license and passport and got my SSN.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Save urself some time and download the form at http://ssa.gov/ssnumber/ fill it out and goto the office. Take whatever ID you have, some offices will take different pieces of ID. If you don't have a Birth cert. you may think about ordering another one if possible