SSN

[awkwardsoul 20]

I'm trying to loosely plan out the wedding - more so on the civil ceremony.

I was wondering whether once I POE if we should just do the civil ceremony pretty quick or wait until I'm in the system and apply for the SSN card then get married.

Which process would be easier, or is it pretty much the same? If it matters, I won't be changing my last name to my fiance's.

[Moomin 292]

I'd get the ssn first though - it's in your maiden name so is matches the name you entered US with. Get it a day before marriage or the same day. When you're not changing the last name, I would assume there's no difference applying before/after marriage.

But whichever is most convenient for you.

[baron555 934]

I'm trying to loosely plan out the wedding - more so on the civil ceremony.

I was wondering whether once I POE if we should just do the civil ceremony pretty quick or wait until I'm in the system and apply for the SSN card then get married.

Which process would be easier, or is it pretty much the same? If it matters, I won't be changing my last name to my fiance's.

Doesn't matter. Wait about 3 weeks after POE and apply for it. The marriage is not related to the SSN. If you wait too long and close to the I-94 expiring (the 90days) then you have to wait until the GC arrives. So don't delay.

[Travis and Meghan 24]

I waited until after we got married as i didn't want to have to go there twice (I'm lazy, lol). We had no problems at all with it. Some people have problems either way though, really depends on your office and the people working there. If they try to deny it to you just ask for the manager, if you still get denied, send SSA an email, when you get a reply from them print it off and go back again, lol. Just make sure you don't leave it too late. They won't issue one if you're I-94 is going to expire in two weeks or less.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You should be in the sysytems the morning after you arrive. It is updated every night. I suggest getting the SSN before you unpack your suitcase. File for it in your name exactly as in your passport and K-1 and do not leave the SS office until it has been filed. If they say anything except "You can stop by tomorrow and get your SS number" then ask for a supervisor.

[K&E2009 71]

I was told by someone who recently applied for their SSN that they were not in the system until 2 weeks after they landed.

True!?

Edited February 23, 2012 by Widsy97

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I was told by someone who recently applied for their SSN that they were not in the system until 2 weeks after they landed.

True!?

Probably not. Ask them how they would know that. Most likely she ran into an ignorant clerk and left, then went back 2 weeks later and got a trained clerk.

We did not read the VJ guide on that part of the process and went the morning after Alla arrived. Then we went back the next day and asked for the number, got the number and added her to our bank account then went to her usniveristy and completed the forms for her grant. Less than 40 hours after arrival she had her SSN and a grant for her masters degree and her classes started on Tuesday, less than one week after her arrival. The SS card arrived in the mail 6 days after her arrival and we were married 8 days after her arrival.

I spent exactly -0- time checking on the status of our petition online.

[K&E2009 71]

Probably not. Ask them how they would know that. Most likely she ran into an ignorant clerk and left, then went back 2 weeks later and got a trained clerk.

We did not read the VJ guide on that part of the process and went the morning after Alla arrived. Then we went back the next day and asked for the number, got the number and added her to our bank account then went to her usniveristy and completed the forms for her grant. Less than 40 hours after arrival she had her SSN and a grant for her masters degree and her classes started on Tuesday, less than one week after her arrival. The SS card arrived in the mail 6 days after her arrival and we were married 8 days after her arrival.

I spent exactly -0- time checking on the status of our petition online.

:thumbs:

[Speeds03 16]

Excluding the OP's case. Isn't it better to wait until you get married, so you don't go through the hassel of having to fix your last name on your SSN? (as long as you get married soon, and not wait till the last minute of your 90 days.)

[K&E2009 71]

Excluding the OP's case. Isn't it better to wait until you get married, so you don't go through the hassel of having to fix your last name on your SSN? (as long as you get married soon, and not wait till the last minute of your 90 days.)

Unless, of course, you're a male.

[Speeds03 16]

Unless, of course, you're a male.

egggggggxactly!!!!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Excluding the OP's case. Isn't it better to wait until you get married, so you don't go through the hassel of having to fix your last name on your SSN? (as long as you get married soon, and not wait till the last minute of your 90 days.)

NO!

For one thing it is not a hassle to change your name on the card after you have a green card in that name for example. Not at all.

An SSN is very important for many things, least of which is work. Bank accounts, insurance, education funding, etc all require an SSN. Get it soon. Change the name later if you want...or don't, it really does not matter. The SS card is not a form of ID, the number stays the same regardless of name.

Alla used her SSN several times in the first week she was here. In addition to our joint account she opened an individual account at a credit union, deposited some of her money there and was given a MasterCard with a $500 limit in her own name, therby beginning to establsih her own credit. Within 1 year that limit was raised to $1,500. She now has excellent credit.

You have to get your head out of this "visa/immigration" process and think about the process of LIFE in the USA, and that requires an SSN.

Edited February 23, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[Speeds03 16]

NO!

For one thing it is not a hassle to change your name on the card after you have a green card in that name for example. Not at all.

An SSN is very important for many things, least of which is work. Bank accounts, insurance, education funding, etc all require an SSN. Get it soon. Change the name later if you want...or don't, it really does not matter. The SS card is not a form of ID, the number stays the same regardless of name.

Alla used her SSN several times in the first week she was here. In addition to our joint account she opened an individual account at a credit union, deposited some of her money there and was given a MasterCard with a $500 limit in her own name, therby beginning to establsih her own credit. Within 1 year that limit was raised to $1,500. She now has excellent credit.

You have to get your head out of this "visa/immigration" process and think about the process of LIFE in the USA, and that requires an SSN.

Ahhh... Nicely put You do make a very valid point. The number does stay the same. So yes, it is better to get your SSN ASAP, then worry about making changes later on. Thanks for the reply

[eaglemedic101 0]

I don't know why you have to have one at all.

Edited February 23, 2012 by eaglemedic101

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I don't know why you have to have one at all.

Then you need to learn about that FIRST. There is far more to this process than a visa. The visa allows you bring them here and enter the US, the AOS allows them to stay, the rest is needed for life in the United States. Without an SSN you will not be able to function normally, if at all.