Applying for SS # after Married on K-1 Visai

[ohmygosh 1]

I have just returned from the local Social Security office. The personel there are trying to tell us that since my finace is now my wife she can not get a social security number because she is no longer a fiance and her k-1 and her I-94 are no longer valid since she got married. I tried to explain to them that my wife is eligable for a social security number, and that her I-94 is still valid until the expiration date stamped on it and thus she is eligible for a social security number. They do not seem to understand the process. Can any one point me to documentation that clarifies this process for my Social Security office?

[X Factor 1,112]

How close to the 90 days on her visa did you get married? That is how many days remaining before the 90 days is up?

[AJabad 3]

I have just returned from the local Social Security office. The personel there are trying to tell us that since my finace is now my wife she can not get a social security number because she is no longer a fiance and her k-1 and her I-94 are no longer valid since she got married. I tried to explain to them that my wife is eligable for a social security number, and that her I-94 is still valid until the expiration date stamped on it and thus she is eligible for a social security number. They do not seem to understand the process. Can any one point me to documentation that clarifies this process for my Social Security office?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

*** Moving from K1 to SNN forum ****

[ohmygosh 1]

How close to the 90 days on her visa did you get married? That is how many days remaining before the 90 days is up?

We got married on June 29. The I-94 is valid until August 5th. I know we are cutting it short. Some of the information I have read says SSA will not issue a SS# to anyone with less than 14 days left on the I-94. We are in the time frame but time will run out if I can not fine information from the SSA stating she is still eligible for a SS# after marriage on a K-1 Visa.

[xjoseyx 19]

My social security number has taken almost 6 weeks so far and I still dont have it. From what Ive read, I'll have to wait now until I get my EAD card until I can re-aplly because I dont have enough days left on my I-94. Its not the end of the world for her. She'll just need to wait a little longer.

[Dave&Roza 748]

We got married on June 29. The I-94 is valid until August 5th. I know we are cutting it short. Some of the information I have read says SSA will not issue a SS# to anyone with less than 14 days left on the I-94. We are in the time frame but time will run out if I can not fine information from the SSA stating she is still eligible for a SS# after marriage on a K-1 Visa.

Two choices. 1) Go back and apply again but do not tell them your wife is married and get the card in her maiden name. 2) e-mail thew mail SSA office on their website and explain your situation and see if they will provide you with an e-mail explaining that your wife is eligible for a SSN in her married name in order to educate their employees.

You have unitl this Friday would be my guess or just wait for the EAD or GC.

Good luck,

Dave

[ohmygosh 1]

Two choices. 1) Go back and apply again but do not tell them your wife is married and get the card in her maiden name. 2) e-mail thew mail SSA office on their website and explain your situation and see if they will provide you with an e-mail explaining that your wife is eligible for a SSN in her married name in order to educate their employees.

You have unitl this Friday would be my guess or just wait for the EAD or GC.

Good luck,

Dave

We can not reapply, they took the application, but sent a form G_____., to Homeland security to verify her information. If they verify the information then they will issue a SS#. I am told and hope it is correct, since she filed in the time frame she should have they will issue a SS# if homeland security confirms her info. I also sent an e-mail to SSA to ask for information to educate the local office. If I get that I will post it so others will not have to go through this difficulty.

[ohmygosh 1]

We can not reapply, they took the application, but sent a form G_____., to Homeland security to verify her information. If they verify the information then they will issue a SS#. I am told and hope it is correct, since she filed in the time frame she should have they will issue a SS# if homeland security confirms her info. I also sent an e-mail to SSA to ask for information to educate the local office. If I get that I will post it so others will not have to go through this difficulty.

I received the following information from the district Social Security office, I forwarded it to our locat office and my fiance received her SS# in the mail. Do not accept the information of your SS administrator if they tell you, you can not get a SS# if you are married on a K-1 Visa and that you have to wait until your AOS. They are not properly trained in many offices.

Thank you for contacting the Social Security Administration.

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.

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, or 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 who 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 who 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, or Form I-766 to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

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, a foreign passport.

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, a photograph of the applicant or the applicant’s DOB

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

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

We suggest that individuals with K-1 status apply for a corrected replacement SSN after marriage to update the SSN record to reflect the married name.

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

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 takes the other parties’ last name;

-- spouse 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 U.S. 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, and matches the data on the SSN record, and the marriage took place within the prior two years.

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

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies as evidence because we cannot verify their authenticity. The custodian of the record must certify any copies.

The acceptability of a document must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the applicant’s situation and exploring what evidence is available for the person.

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.

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.

Take the required documents to the nearest Social Security office or Card Center. 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.socialsecurity.gov/locator

We must verify your documents with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before we issue a replacement SSN card. Most of the time, we can quickly verify your documents online with DHS. If DHS cannot verify your documents online, it may take longer to issue a card. We are working closely with DHS to minimize delays.

All cards are mailed from Social Security headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland to the postal address provided on the application.

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.

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

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