How to get an unrestricted SSN?

[aidan80 9]

Now that our AOS has been approved can I use the I-551 Stamp in my passport in order to obtain an unrestricted SSN or do I have to wait for the actual Green Card in the post? I already have a SSN that has the “Valid for work with DHS authorization only” printed across it.

I’ve had a quick look through the guides and didn’t see anything relating to an unrestricted SSN? I’m assuming it’s another case of filling out a SSN application and going into the local SSN office and showing them the I-551 stamp?

Any advice or pointers would be welcome!

Thanks in advance!

[I'm Gone 60]

When an individual was previously issued an SSN card with “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS (or DHS) AUTHORIZATION” printed on it and 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.

An alien applying for a work-authorized replacement SSN card must present evidence to establish identity and employment authorization.

When requesting an SSN card, the documents presented, as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. SSA will not accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence.

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 probative value of documents.

You can find detailed information regarding evidence of identity on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203200#E

Employment Authorization Documents:

-- I-551 (Stamp or card)

Documents that establish lawfully admitted for permanent residence (LAPR)

-- I-551 card

NOTE: Some LAPR aliens have conditional 2-year I-551s (Alien Registration Receipt Card), subject to the limitation that they must apply for removal of the conditional basis 90 days before the second anniversary of the admittance date to the United States. A conditional I-551 is identified by an expiration date 2 years later than the admittance/adjudication date is acceptable proof of permanent residency.

-- Temporary I-551

Temporary evidence of immigrant status is issued for an alien to use until the permanent I-551 card is received. This may be a stamp in the individual's passport or on the I-94.

RM 00203.410 Evidence of Alien Status for an SSN Card for an Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410

Take the required documents to the nearest Social Security office and 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 at:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

Normally, an SSN card should be received in the mail within two weeks after the application and document(s) have been received and verified.

However, when an alien requests an original SSN or replacement SSN card, SSA will verify his or her documents and current status with the appropriate Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security. If verification is not available through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, SSA will send Form G-845 for manual verification.

RM 00203.720 Verifying Immigration Documents:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203720

If the SSA office does send the G-845, suggest that you go back to the SSA office no more that once week with your documents to (1) ask them to check SAVE again (2) ask if they sent a G-845 (3) if yes, did it come back (4) after 30 days ask if they have followed up on the G-845 by calling or sending another mark “second request.”

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203735

RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE

You can try calling the SSA Regional Office if you have waited at least 30 days and your local SSA office doesn't seem to be concerned about following up on the G-845

http://www.ssa.gov/otherssasites/

Refer them to:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203740

RM 00203.740 Requesting Additional (Manual) Verification By DHS

Step 6

DHS should respond to SSA within 15 federal work days after receiving the Form G-845. If DHS does not respond within 15 federal work days from the receipt of the G-845 from SSA, follow-up with the DHS, USCIS Immigration Status office. (Allow 15 days plus five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS. Follow local practice to follow-up with DHS.

Some SSA offices have an arrangement with the DHS, USCIS office to telephone for the follow-up contact; other SSA offices send a copy of the original G-845 annotated “second request.”) If the DHS response is still not received within 15 federal work days after the follow-up contact (if the follow-up is by mail allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS), make a second follow-up contact. If the DHS response is not received within 15 federal workdays (again, if the follow-up is by mail, allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS), after two follow-ups, contact the Regional Office (RO). Also report to the RO any trend that shows a serious deviation by DHS from the above time frames. The RO will consult with central office.

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

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Just take your passport with the I-551 stamp to the SSA office and complete another SS-5..... thats it

I did not take my original card as advised by mdyoung that way you are not left without anything while you wait for the new one.... they did ask me for it and I tld them I did not bring it with me but I would destroy it once my new card arrived.... I got the new card within 2 weeks......

Kezzie

[Peter Miami 0]

Just take your passport with the I-551 stamp to the SSA office and complete another SS-5..... thats it

I did not take my original card as advised by mdyoung that way you are not left without anything while you wait for the new one.... they did ask me for it and I tld them I did not bring it with me but I would destroy it once my new card arrived.... I got the new card within 2 weeks......

Kezzie

ditto.

Peter Miami

[I'm Gone 60]

Just take your passport with the I-551 stamp to the SSA office and complete another SS-5..... thats it

I did not take my original card as advised by mdyoung that way you are not left without anything while you wait for the new one.... they did ask me for it and I tld them I did not bring it with me but I would destroy it once my new card arrived.... I got the new card within 2 weeks......

You don't even need the SS-5. They will printout the application and have you sign that all the info is correct. Yeah say the dog ate your card if they ask for it. LOL

I would say it's more likely to not clear through SAVE with the I-551 stamp, so don't be surprised if they have to send off to verify your status.

[Canuck Carrie 1]

I just took in the restricted card and my ID. She didn't ask for the restricted card back.

Edited October 25, 2006 by Canuck Carrie

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I only had the stamp in my passport when I got my new card and all was well...

Kezzie

[meauxna 15]

Just take your passport with the I-551 stamp to the SSA office and complete another SS-5..... thats it

I did not take my original card as advised by mdyoung that way you are not left without anything while you wait for the new one.... they did ask me for it and I tld them I did not bring it with me but I would destroy it once my new card arrived.... I got the new card within 2 weeks......

You don't even need the SS-5. They will printout the application and have you sign that all the info is correct. Yeah say the dog ate your card if they ask for it. LOL

I would say it's more likely to not clear through SAVE with the I-551 stamp, so don't be surprised if they have to send off to verify your status.

I have a sort-of-related and dumb question.

After the oath ceremony, we ambled over to our very cool, very laid back SSA office and did the upgrade.

New SSA card was automagically mailed; now he's got two. Can I sell the old one for more than $5?

No, seriously, just curious why a new card was generated for citizenship (no change to the card face). DAH is sure this is why he's on every junk mail list in the world now (I don't think so, but I'm after the source....)

[aidan80 9]

Excellent, thanks to all of you for the responses!

So the story is.. the dog ate the card … apply for another card using SS-5 and show them my stamp and expect it to take a few weeks to clear through the system.

Thanks again!

[I'm Gone 60]

No, seriously, just curious why a new card was generated for citizenship (no change to the card face). DAH is sure this is why he's on every junk mail list in the world now (I don't think so, but I'm after the source....)

Because whoever processed the application didn't suppress the card from being issued. Did the same for my wife and daughter even though I told the genius they just needed the SSN record updated.

[meauxna 15]

Geniuses. Sheesh. Wasting my good taxpayer dollars like that!

So I can't sell it, huh?

[I'm Gone 60]

Geniuses. Sheesh. Wasting my good taxpayer dollars like that!

So I can't sell it, huh?

I guess you could, but how you going to explain to the IRS that your husband was doing yard work in all 50 states? LOL

[meauxna 15]

Geniuses. Sheesh. Wasting my good taxpayer dollars like that!

So I can't sell it, huh?

I guess you could, but how you going to explain to the IRS that your husband was doing yard work in all 50 states? LOL

I actually laughed out loud.. guess what kind of for-pay work he does when I can get him out of the shop?

He *does* get around, you know....

[samantha_lou 0]

I've had my greencard for over a year now, and I've never bothered to update my SS card, I still have my original one with the restriction on it. I've just never seen the need to bother with going down there and applying for a new one.

Is this something that I really should do, or just if I feel like it?

[I'm Gone 60]

I've had my greencard for over a year now, and I've never bothered to update my SS card, I still have my original one with the restriction on it. I've just never seen the need to bother with going down there and applying for a new one.

Is this something that I really should do, or just if I feel like it?

Well nothing is going to happen to you if you don't, but I see you have filed for removal of conditions, so if it hasn't already your 2 year I-551 card will be expired and you have a restricted SSN card, so you have no proof of work authorization. You can go get an I-551 stamp in your passport, but that's only good for a year and if the removal take over a year you need to go get another stamp. Now unless you apply for a job this is not really going to matter, but something to think about. Even the 10 year card expires and needs to be renewed. An unrestricted SSN card can be used as proof of authorization to work and it never expires.