Please Advise on SSN

[2Complicated 0]

Just got married to my husband that had k-1 fiance visa. Coming from Panama, my fiance has two last names. Today at the social security office they would not let me choose his first last name which is his family name (the dad's name). The second name is the mother's last name that is not passed to me. They said I have no option but to take both last names or take the mom's last name. Has anyone else had this problem? In all of the immigration documents we have both last names. On the waiver approval letter it even had his family last name in caps, leaving the mom's last name in lowercase. What do I do?

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Just got married to my husband that had k-1 fiance visa. Coming from Panama, my fiance has two last names. Today at the social security office they would not let me choose his first last name which is his family name (the dad's name). The second name is the mother's last name that is not passed to me. They said I have no option but to take both last names or take the mom's last name. Has anyone else had this problem? In all of the immigration documents we have both last names. On the waiver approval letter it even had his family last name in caps, leaving the mom's last name in lowercase. What do I do?

What is your name in the marriage certificate?

The way you have written the post, it seems you are changing your SS card, Is it yours or his what is the problem?

I'd also talk to a supervisor; often the people at the front desk do not interpret the rules correctly; I know plenty of Latin American people who have their SS card correctly showing the father last name..heck I am one of those.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Search here for posts by "IQuit." The clerk you spoke to was wrong. You can change your name to any combo of your and your husband's name. Get a supervisor. Don't worry

[Krikit 1,165]

Moving from AOS Process to the SSN section.

[2Complicated 0]

It's my problem. Since we got married, I went to get my new ss card with his last name on it. They wouldn't let me. For example his name is X Y Z. Y and Z are the last names. No middle name. My new name is suppose to be R Y. I can have every other combination it seems except that one.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes you can have that. Look at this post: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/281973-social-security-num-for-k1/page__view__findpost__p__4298248

[2Complicated 0]

Actually, that post confirms what the social security office said. In that scenario, I would be choosing "Lisa Lee" which is not one of those options. I will go to the court house tomorrow and see what can be done there.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Actually, that post confirms what the social security office said. In that scenario, I would be choosing "Lisa Lee" which is not one of those options. I will go to the court house tomorrow and see what can be done there.

I disagree. It says: 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 or partner takes the other parties’ last name;

-- spouse or partner takes one part of the other parties’ compound

surname;

-- compound name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse’s or partner’s

original surname for either or both parties

You want to take part of his last name, the first part. The list they give is just examples, not an exhaustive list. I think you're being too literal about this, it says you can take one part of the spouses last name. It doesn't say it has to be the last part.

Anyway, good luck to you.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[2Complicated 0]

Thanks. I pray you're right.

[2Complicated 0]

Well, I went to the court house to ask about the name. They said they can't control what SS office does. If SS says they can't write that name, they cannot. They only thing I can do is to petition the court to have my name changed, pay a fee of $93, and hope the judge says yes. I have no idea how long this will take

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Well, I went to the court house to ask about the name. They said they can't control what SS office does. If SS says they can't write that name, they cannot. They only thing I can do is to petition the court to have my name changed, pay a fee of $93, and hope the judge says yes. I have no idea how long this will take

A lot of the SSA offices are stupid. Just yesterday I believe it was, someone was told she couldn't apply for a SSN (on a K1 visa) because she was now married. Well next thing you know it arrives in the mail!

I suggest you call the 1800 number and ask THEM about it. They will then be able to send a letter to your local office to correct them.

As harpa said, you're allowed any combination.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Strange. I had no problem with changing my SS card. SSA allowed me to take just the paternal last name, however, I could not get my drivers license in that name. It had to match exactly to my husband's name on the marriage certificate. I had to return to the SSA and have them change it to both last names, THEN I was able to get my license. I just use both last names for legal purposes and go by only the paternal(first) last name for everything else. I have not decided yet if I will pay to change it to just the one last name through the courts later. I do not think those of us that marry someone with two last names where is the norm to take only the first name when marrying should have to go through the courts to change it though, but it is what it is.