Do I need the SSN card before I get married?

[freem 0]

I'm about to enter the US in a week and looking at my next steps. I know one of the first things I need to do is apply for SSN. Do I need to physically have the card before I get married, or can I get married without it?

I want to get married on a date a week after I arrive but now I'm afraid the SSN will not arrive in time.

[The Mean Lady 604]

I don't think a SSN affects anything as my husband and I got married w/o filing any paperwork at all... meaning of course he would have no social security number. I can't recall completely, but he might have provided his social insurance number.

[sdw 10]

I got married in the US without a SSN, they took my Canadian ID. You shouldn't have a problem.

[pocheros 101]

You don't need an SSN to get married, just some ID. You should be able to find requirements for marriage for your state online. I got married in Las Vegas and didn't have a SSN at the time.

Edited October 19, 2012 by pocheros

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You won't need the SSN to get married. You will find it a lot easier to establish your presence in the US with it, however, so do apply as soon as you can, even if you have to apply later with a name change. Your husband may require your SSN to list you as a beneficiary on his health insurance, and some banks require a SSN to include you on bank accounts or to open up a new joint account. It will just make things a lot easier for the AOS when you have your SSN.

[Jen and Jon 14]

You wont need an SSN to get married. All we provided when getting our marrage license was his passport. We applied for the SSN# 2 weeks after he was here and received it within 5 days.