SSN Query

[RyRo 47]

Hello Vjyers i just wanna ask about the SSN, i got here in the US last Dec 8th 2012 and we decided not to file for the SSN yet and wait until we get married so we can free ourselves from the hassle of name change. Now i have read few threads here that you cannot use your husband's family name in the SSN card because they will need your greencard before you can use your new family name. Is this true? We just got married last 19th and we are now starting to work on SSN and AOS. Any input will be of great help. Thanks everyone God bless

[Rob and Patty 2]

Everything I have read suggested waiting until you have the green card, so that you can take that to Social Security to have them change your name. My wife already had a social security card from a previous visa, but of course it currently has her maiden name on it. We just sent our documents for AOS and provided it all goes well, will do the SS name change once she gets her card.

[AdamandLulu 2]

Hello RyRo I think it's ok to get SSN card using the family name of your husband even you haven't green card yet just bring your marriage certificate and passport in SS Office. I get my SSN card using the family name of my husband we go in SS Office the day after our married and we haven't problem in applying.

[CatSam 0]

im having the same problem. i arrived here in the US last 11/13, i applied for SSN 11/30 they said wait for 4-6weeks but cannot use my husband's last name, last monday 11/28 we went to SSA office and they said immigration didn't verify my status when i applied last Nov and now they can't check it because my i-94 is about to expire on 02/10. so, i was advised to wait for my ear or greencard and apply again.

i guess it really depends with the state

Edited January 29, 2013 by CatSam

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Hello Vjyers i just wanna ask about the SSN, i got here in the US last Dec 8th 2012 and we decided not to file for the SSN yet and wait until we get married so we can free ourselves from the hassle of name change. Now i have read few threads here that you cannot use your husband's family name in the SSN card because they will need your greencard before you can use your new family name. Is this true? We just got married last 19th and we are now starting to work on SSN and AOS. Any input will be of great help. Thanks everyone God bless

Some of the SSA workers do not understand the K-1 and think you cannot get the SSN if you marry. This is not correct. You should be able to get the SSN in your married name using the certified marriage certificate and your I-94 with at least 2 weeks left on it. If they give you a hassle, then you can file for AOS, which you will use the married name for, and do not need to wait for the green card. You can use the EAD to get the SSN.

[Moomin 292]

You're still within the 90 days of when you arrived. Just walk down there and apply for SSN in maiden name. When you receive that by mail, go again and provide them with your marriage cert. - again, it has to be within the 90 days of your arrival.

By doing it this way and NOT waiting until gretting greencard/EAD means you can start working rightaway if you wish. Otherwise you're forced to wait until having EAD or greencard in hand, then go apply for ssn, wait for it to arrive so it matches you name on EAD.

IN my state, you have to have ssn to get state ID or driver's license. I had ssn and stateID/license around a month after arriving. It made things sooo much easier. WHile the licence did expire, I just renewed it when EAD was in the mail. It completely paid off going to the SSA twice, IMO.

[nealxette 4]

That's what they told me when I first went to ssa in South Bend, IN but I went back when I got my ead and they accepted it. They can't give you an ssn with your married name coz your name in their system is still your maiden name. But when you apply for AOS, dhs will change your name in the system but you need to show an ID. You can go back when you get your ead. I'm still waiting for my ssn card.

[Trishy_N_J 23]

So this means I could go ahead and apply for AOS with my husbands name and then change it on the SSN? They just pulled the same trick on me and with the wait over the number (and USPS not delivering the mail) i'm awfully close to the Visa limit so I need to apply NOW.

[Moomin 292]

That's what they told me when I first went to ssa in South Bend, IN but I went back when I got my ead and they accepted it. They can't give you an ssn with your married name coz your name in their system is still your maiden name. But when you apply for AOS, dhs will change your name in the system but you need to show an ID. You can go back when you get your ead. I'm still waiting for my ssn card.

That's not true. I'm in Indiana(valparaiso) and it took them 3 days from when I applied to having ssn in mailbox at my house. In maiden name, that is. And that's including fixing my misspelled name since they misspelled my last name in the SAVE database(it was correct on the I94).

Yes, they can. However they need to look up your maiden name and match it to your married name. Apparently, too much work for a SSA employee. And it is possible. Again - I did it without a single problem. If there are any issues for anyone, smile , withdraw your application and try at a different SSA. As long as you're inside the 90 days of arriving in the US. Usually, they won't accept your application if there's less than 14 days left on your I94.

So this means I could go ahead and apply for AOS with my husbands name and then change it on the SSN? They just pulled the same trick on me and with the wait over the number (and USPS not delivering the mail) i'm awfully close to the Visa limit so I need to apply NOW.

You can apply for AOS in married name. You submit a copy of marriage certificate with AOS/EAD/AP anyways, and it is also proof of your legal name change. All forms are submitted with your married name on. When you receive EAD, you simply take it to SSA(probably along with your marriage cert., passport and your current ss card) and have them correct your name and send you a new card.

Edited January 29, 2013 by moomin

[nealxette 4]

That's not true. I'm in Indiana(valparaiso) and it took them 3 days from when I applied to having ssn in mailbox at my house. In maiden name, that is. And that's including fixing my misspelled name since they misspelled my last name in the SAVE database(it was correct on the I94).

Yes, they can. However they need to look up your maiden name and match it to your married name. Apparently, too much work for a SSA employee. And it is possible. Again - I did it without a single problem. If there are any issues for anyone, smile , withdraw your application and try at a different SSA. As long as you're inside the 90 days of arriving in the US. Usually, they won't accept your application if there's less than 14 days left on your I94.

Ok, I will tell the SSA office in South Bend that they lied to me and ask to reimburse the gas that we spent driving 2 hours on each travel going there. LOL

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving from AOS Process to the SSN section.

I applied in my married name using my marriage certificate. The clerk told me no. I told her yes, and handed her a copy of their policy. She told me no again, and I asked for a supervisor. I got the SSN in my married name.

[Moomin 292]

Ok, I will tell the SSA office in South Bend that they lied to me and ask to reimburse the gas that we spent driving 2 hours on each travel going there. LOL

Waste of extra time spent, indeed.