SSN #

[channie14 1]

Hi,

I'm wondering about the SSN#. I've read that you apply for it and then once you're married you go back to the office and change your name etc. Should you just wait to get your SSN number once you're married and are using your married name rather than going back and making name changes?

There is basically one week from when I arrive in the US to when I get married so I wasn't sure if there was much point getting my SSN# before I'm married.

Can anyone shed some light?

Thank you!

[Pitaya 2,577]

Hi,

I'm wondering about the SSN#. I've read that you apply for it and then once you're married you go back to the office and change your name etc. Should you just wait to get your SSN number once you're married and are using your married name rather than going back and making name changes?

There is basically one week from when I arrive in the US to when I get married so I wasn't sure if there was much point getting my SSN# before I'm married.

Can anyone shed some light?

Thank you!

Good question!

There has been several threads discussing this and other Social Security issues at the Social Security sub-forum:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/156-social-security-numbers/

Check it out when you get the opportunity.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[Andrea&Henry 311]

In my case I waited to get my EAD/AP (work permit) to go and get my SSN. Not only it has my new name but also doesn't have the title "Not allow to work". If you get your SSN before your AoS your SSN will say "Not allow to work" and once you have at least your EAD or green card you should go back and get a new one. I read people who went 4 times to reniew the SSN and for me its totally senseless. even with the work permit, once you get the GC you should go AGAIN to update your immigration status and have another new SSN. I didn't want to wait til my GC cause it takes too long.

[channie14 1]

Cool, thanks for the help

[VanessaTony 3,567]

In my case I waited to get my EAD/AP (work permit) to go and get my SSN. Not only it has my new name but also doesn't have the title "Not allow to work". If you get your SSN before your AoS your SSN will say "Not allow to work" and once you have at least your EAD or green card you should go back and get a new one. I read people who went 4 times to reniew the SSN and for me its totally senseless. even with the work permit, once you get the GC you should go AGAIN to update your immigration status and have another new SSN. I didn't want to wait til my GC cause it takes too long.

Wait what? You have a SS card, that you got while ONLY on an EAD/AP and it doesn't say "Valid with DHS authorisation" on it? It just has your name and number? If so that's wrong and you need to go check what their system says about you...

If you simply mean it doesn't say "Not allowed to work" and just says "Valid with DHS authorisation" then you're wrong in saying that K1's who get it prior to AOS/EAD will get one that says "Not allowed to work". K1's ARE work permitted (with an EAD) and so theirs will say ""Valid with DHS authorisation".

Getting a SSN prior to marriage is the smartest choice, if possible. Even though it will mean more trips to the SSA you will be less likely to encounter issues with name, visa status. I've explained this several times but suffice it to say, BEFORE marriage is your best option. Then just change it once you get the EAD (if you changed your name) or with your GC (if you have no need to work) to get the wording removed.

[GrayL 47]

You should get your SSN at least 1 week before your I-94 expires, but really as soon as a week after you arrive you should make plans to do it.

If you wait longer you'll add an unnecessary delay to your SSN. It's just not smart.

However I'm not sure considering you're getting married a week after you arrive here (Wow I'm totally impressed too btw!) you'll be able to get your SSN before you marry (The instructions say to wait 1-2 weeks after entering the US to apply).

As you entered on a K-1, you are entitled to work once you have your SSN and EA, the "Valid with DHS Authorization only" means nothing really, it's still a valid SSN, which is valuable for many things (Bank Accounts, Jobs, Loans, Driver's Licence etc.). You cannot legally work until you have your EA anyway, so those words on your SSN doesn't change a thing from a legality standpoint.

Changing your name on your SSN isn't a hassle at all, and even so, one that you really SHOULD take on, for the sake of your status and potential issues like Vanessa says.

Short of the story if it was me, I would still get the SSN as soon as possible, I just wouldn't take the risk personally.

I got my SSN two weeks after I arrived (two weeks before I got married) and it did indeed say "Valid with DHS Authorization Only" on the card, which is completely normal.

Don't forget to read the SSN instructions on here thoroughly, take everything that is on this page: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Good Luck to you, what a busy week you have planned, congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Edited October 26, 2012 by GrayL

[didopage 337]

In my case I waited to get my EAD/AP (work permit) to go and get my SSN. Not only it has my new name but also doesn't have the title "Not allow to work". If you get your SSN before your AoS your SSN will say "Not allow to work" and once you have at least your EAD or green card you should go back and get a new one. I read people who went 4 times to reniew the SSN and for me its totally senseless. even with the work permit, once you get the GC you should go AGAIN to update your immigration status and have another new SSN. I didn't want to wait til my GC cause it takes too long.

I agree with Vanessa, this is not true.

I went to the SSA before my wedding, I received a SS card with my maiden name with the annotation "Valid for work with DHS authorization only". As soon as I got married, I was allowed to be part of my husband's health insurance (they wanted me to have a SSN). For me, that was very important to get a SSN as soon as possible and I advise to anybody to do the same.

I received my EAD, came back to the SSA to inform them of my status change AND update my card with my married name. Received a new card, same annotation, but name changed. I changed my name, but people who don't change it don't necessarily have to go the SSA to update their card once they receive the EAD.

Once I got my green card, I went back to the SSA to keep them informed on my new status (permanent resident). I received a new card, no more "valid for work with DHS authorization only".

The SSA is not far from where I live, and once there, it took less than 15 min (waiting time included).

This is not senseless to go back to your SSA a few times, each time there's a good reason to do it, and you have to keep the SSA informed if your status changes, this is written on their website.

Edited October 26, 2012 by didopage

[channie14 1]

Awesome, thank you! Sounds like the best thing to do is try and get it before I'm married, but yeah our wedding is a week after I arrive so may make that a little hard. Hopefully I can do it that way!

[didopage 337]

Problem is that you will be known in the DHS system with your maiden name. I'm not sure if waiting for your wedding will help you get a SSN with your married name, even if you show them your marriage certificate. I got married 2 weeks after my POE, but the SS employee told me they would need an immigration document with my new married name (EAD) plus my marriage certificate in order to update my name in their system.

You can still try with bringing your marriage certificate if you decide to go to the SSA after your wedding, and see if they will issue you a SS card with your married name. In any case, go there in the first few weeks.

Edited October 26, 2012 by didopage

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Awesome, thank you! Sounds like the best thing to do is try and get it before I'm married, but yeah our wedding is a week after I arrive so may make that a little hard. Hopefully I can do it that way!

If you can't get it before the wedding, try afterwards of course BUT try ASAP because if you run into trouble, that gives us time to advise you how to explain to the SSA employees why they're morons

[channie14 1]

Haha yep! I will try the day before our wedding - that will have been right on one week since I arrived so fingers crossed I can get it done that morning. Otherwise, I'll have to go back after the wedding. Thanks again for your help!

[Andrea&Henry 311]

I agree with Vanessa, this is not true.

I went to the SSA before my wedding, I received a SS card with my maiden name with the annotation "Valid for work with DHS authorization only". As soon as I got married, I was allowed to be part of my husband's health insurance (they wanted me to have a SSN). For me, that was very important to get a SSN as soon as possible and I advise to anybody to do the same.

I received my EAD, came back to the SSA to inform them of my status change AND update my card with my married name. Received a new card, same annotation, but name changed. I changed my name, but people who don't change it don't necessarily have to go the SSA to update their card once they receive the EAD.

Once I got my green card, I went back to the SSA to keep them informed on my new status (permanent resident). I received a new card, no more "valid for work with DHS authorization only".

The SSA is not far from where I live, and once there, it took less than 15 min (waiting time included).

This is not senseless to go back to your SSA a few times, each time there's a good reason to do it, and you have to keep the SSA informed if your status changes, this is written on their website.

in my case that whats worked for me...Im also in my husband's health insurance and bank accounts since we got married, and I didn't need my SSN back then. And yes it says "Valid for work with DHS authorization only". And that's my point you went several times and for me is not an option. I live in Miami and every trip to the SSN office is not less 2 to 3 hours of waiting. The last time I went I arrived at 9.00 am and walked out at 12.30! The other main reason is that I need my husband to drive me there cause is really far away and public transportation wasnt an option, so my husband needed to take a day off from work to take me there.In my case I didnt find any good reason to have it before my AOS cause as I told you, my husband's health insurance and bank never asked me for my SSN. The other reason was my driver license and I need to wait for my EAD to get it anyways so I rather to wait. Im not saying that the way I did things are the right way to do it, but it worked for me.

Besides that, I have a friend who works there and she told me that I need a valid id with my new name to get my SSN with my husband's name, some people brings their wedding certificate and some SSN are not accepting this anymore. That was my other main reason to wait for my EAD. Thanked God my bank and my husband's health insurance accepted my marriage certificate and they issue my cards with my new name

Edited October 26, 2012 by Andrea&Henry

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Problem is that you will be known in the DHS system with your maiden name. I'm not sure if waiting for your wedding will help you get a SSN with your married name, even if you show them your marriage certificate. I got married 2 weeks after my POE, but the SS employee told me they would need an immigration document with my new married name (EAD) plus my marriage certificate in order to update my name in their system.

You can still try with bringing your marriage certificate if you decide to go to the SSA after your wedding, and see if they will issue you a SS card with your married name. In any case, go there in the first few weeks.

That was one of the biggest reason I rather to wait my EAD to get my SSN. I didnt want to have half of my cards, documents etc with my maiden and half with my new name

[khwaidee1 196]

My wife arrived 9/2/12. We went to the SS office near our house on 9/4/12 applied no problem after waiting about 15 minutes and got the card in the mail on 9/10/12. Good to have for our AOS which we filed Tuesday!!

[didopage 337]

That was one of the biggest reason I rather to wait my EAD to get my SSN. I didnt want to have half of my cards, documents etc with my maiden and half with my new name

That's not a problem at all. Changing a last name on your documents takes time, and you can't change everything at once. My passport is still with my maiden name, it doesn't bother me. I will just take a copy of my marriage certificate with me if I travel.

Anyway, good for you if you're happy with how you did. OP asked for opinion, I think she got them. I still think it's better to ask for a SSN as soon as possible.