Social Security Numbers

[spn1025 38]

I just reached the NVC stage of my I-130. I have not yet got to the point of submitting DS-230. On the DS-230, we plan on putting a check mark in "assign us a Social Security Number". My spouse is in the Philippines.

My question is: At exactly what point in the point in the process will my spouse be assigned a Social Security Number?

The reason why I ask is that I plan on filing a joint tax return this year, and I don't have an SSN for her, and don't feel like having her obtain and mail more documents to me to submit a W7 with my return for a taxpayer number. It wouldn't be a problem if they would accept copies, but they need original documents, and the original documents that I have are going to be submitted with the DS-230.

Will she get her SSN assigned after her interview is passed at the embassy, or does it happen after she arrives in America? If it's after she comes to America, how long does it take to have it assigned?

I need to know if I should have her start collecting and sending me more documents for the W7 or if I'll have time to wait for her to get a SSN assigned and hold off on my taxes for a while.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

It happens after she arrives in the US.

The SSA isn't going to bother with intending immigrants who don't immigrate to the US. So the SSN is assigned AFTER the beneficiary travles and obtains their residency.

However, I would not wait for the SSN to arrive in the mail. It can take forever EVEN if you check that you want it mailed to her. Have her go to the SSA when she arrives in the US to get all that completed

good luck

[calibob 73]

I believe at POE the address is filled out on a SSA card or similar paperwork. Likewise the green card info will be initiated. Have your spouse to write neatly with your mailing address and ask for them to make a copy of both forms. My wife's green card was mailed to the wrong address twice, post office left it the second time and it was taken from the mail box. Had to pay another large amount to get her green card reissued and new biometrics. SScard came in three weeks from POE so they had a typo on the green card info. Best of luck!

Bob