Getting a marriage license without SSN#

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Hey all,

What are people's experiences of obtaining marriage licenses without a social security number? Me and my other half are getting married in July, but seem to have hit a snag whereby I need an SSN or I can't get a license! Which is weird, because although I am marrying on the VWP (and going home afterwards to file the I-130), even if I were on the K1 visa, I still wouldn't have an SSN... surely there are provisions for foreign nationals to marry in Ohio?

Many thanks.

[speedwell 224]

Hey all,

What are people's experiences of obtaining marriage licenses without a social security number? Me and my other half are getting married in July, but seem to have hit a snag whereby I need an SSN or I can't get a license! Which is weird, because although I am marrying on the VWP (and going home afterwards to file the I-130), even if I were on the K1 visa, I still wouldn't have an SSN... surely there are provisions for foreign nationals to marry in Ohio?

Many thanks.

Who is telling you that you need a SSN to get a marriage license? I've never heard of that before (I totally believe you, I just think someone's taking the piss).

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Who is telling you that you need a SSN to get a marriage license? I've never heard of that before (I totally believe you, I just think someone's taking the piss).

It seems to be a requirement in Ohio, for child support purposes? I don't really know I did email the probate court in the county where my SO lives and they said since I don't have an SSN, I will need to provide back-up photo ID with my passport.

I don't have any other photo ID...

[speedwell 224]

It seems to be a requirement in Ohio, for child support purposes? I don't really know I did email the probate court in the county where my SO lives and they said since I don't have an SSN, I will need to provide back-up photo ID with my passport.

I don't have any other photo ID...

It can't be a requirement, or no foreigners would ever get married in Ohio. That's ridiculous. Check with probate courts in other counties.

[fancygirl 1]

In Colorado they have you sign a waiver that you DO NOT have a SS#

[Ketsuban 1,034]

It can't be a requirement, or no foreigners would ever get married in Ohio. That's ridiculous. Check with probate courts in other counties.

That was exactly what I thought.

I did email Franklin county and they were okay with just the passport. However, the only conditions of use I have seen online are either:

- The person lives in Franklin (they can use the license all over Ohio)

- or is from another State (can only use the license in Franklin).

Nothing is mentioned about just coming from a neighbouring county, but I am assuming it is treated like coming from another State?

I hope what I said made sense. I rewrote it about 10 times

[Hypnos 6,576]

You only have to provide a social security number if you have one. If you do not, you simply tell the clerk that and they will note it or have you sign something to that effect.

[speedwell 224]

That was exactly what I thought.

I did email Franklin county and they were okay with just the passport. However, the only conditions of use I have seen online are either:

- The person lives in Franklin (they can use the license all over Ohio)

- or is from another State (can only use the license in Franklin).

Nothing is mentioned about just coming from a neighbouring county, but I am assuming it is treated like coming from another State?

I hope what I said made sense. I rewrote it about 10 times

Anyone can get married anywhere they like in the US. I was married to a US citizen once and we were married in a different county. No problem. We even divorced in a completely different county.

You only have to provide a social security number if you have one. If you do not, you simply tell the clerk that and they will note it or have you sign something to that effect.

Hypnos, Ketsuban is dealing with bureaucratic incompetence or actual malpractice. Better not to risk teasing the bear if it can be easily avoided by getting married somewhere else.

Edited May 7, 2013 by speedwell

[teltek35674 2]

They have very nice wedding chapels in the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Anyone can get married anywhere they like in the US. I was married to a US citizen once and we were married in a different county. No problem. We even divorced in a completely different county.

Hypnos, Ketsuban is dealing with bureaucratic incompetence or actual malpractice. Better not to risk teasing the bear if it can be easily avoided by getting married somewhere else.

Tell you what, I don't think Cuyahoga know what is what. My MIL to be called them a couple of months ago, because I was looking at the online application they had and there was no possible way for me to enter my UK address. They told her I should put in my zip code as 00000 (I felt uneasy with that since it would be providing something other than my current UK postcode), then said to her that I could only get the license from them if I was planning to move to the US. Well, what if we were planning to move to the UK? That isn't any of their business anyway!

Needless to say, I think we will go to Franklin!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Off Topic; topic is about obtaining a marriage license in Ohio jurisdictions and not about any immigration process.

[LilyR 7]

You are not supposed to be required to provide a social security number to get married. However, many local governments still ask for it and are under the impression it is required. My husband and I got married in Virginia since they were fine with him not having a ss#.

[Hypnos 6,576]

It's actually federal law to have to give your social security number when you apply for a marriage licence (42 USC Chapter 7, Subchapter IV, Part D, Section 666(a)(13)).

Obviously, if you do not have a social security number to give then you cannot give it, but if you do have one then you are required by law to provide it.

Edited May 8, 2013 by Hypnos