car/medical insurance/bank accounts/driving test

[Collie 122]

hey everyone,

hope you are all well . I don't have a social security number yet but my husband and I are attempting to sort out bank accounts and insurance at the moment. I have a 5 figured sum of money coming to me in the next few weeks that is the result of a settlement as some asswipe on drugs decided to run me down with a motorbike in May 2005. My husband and I want to open up a joint account for that money but when we inquired at the bank, they stated that we would need 2 SSN's. Now we are also trying to sort out medical insurance for me as well as put me onto his car insurance and I am envisioning that they will also require SSN's. How did y'all sort out these things prior to getting your social security number ? I know that these are the main things that people have in both names for the interview and we dont have a lot in both of our names right now so these are important for that factor as well.

Also I want to take my driving test soon but I don't know how to go about it. Where do I apply to do the written part and is there a book of test questions that I can look over before taking the test? I've been told that my

Sorry I have a lot of questions!

Thanks in advance,

Kat

oops i didnt finish a sentence and i cant edit!

That unfinished sentence should say that Ive been told my uk and european driving licence covers me for a year but I'm not sure if I could actually get insurance with that?

[raymaga 25]

Have you applied for a SSN yet? If not, why not?

Once you apply, your card comes in a matter of a week or so.

[Collie 122]

Hi,

I haven't applied for it yet as I haven't started the DORA process yet. At the moment my attorney has just started to gather our information in preparation for applying to the DORA programme. I was under the impression that you could not get a SSN without first attending an AOS interview?

[raymaga 25]

I don't know anything about DORA, but when I arrived in the U.S. with my K-1 Visa, I applied for my SSN before I had even sent in the AOS paperwork and got my card a week later. I wasn't able to work with it, because I didn't have my EAD yet, but at least I had my number (your number remains the same for the rest of your life).

[gag54611 1]

Kat,

First of all, please fill in your timeline so that we can see where you are in the process.

My wife arrived on a K-1, so I'll use her as an example. 3 weeks after arriving she applied for an SSN. It was received a week or so later. After we got married, she applied for AOS and an EAD. The EAD card was received in early January, and she has her AOS interview next Wednesday (March 8th). With her EAD card in-hand, she went back to SSA to get her SSN updated to her married name. That card was received a week or so after the application. You don't need to wait for the AOS interview before applying for an SSN.

With respect to getting a Florida driving license, that still hasn't been done, but it will be later this month. In Florida you need another government issued ID in order to get a driving license if you are a foreign national. So, she would need either a green card or an EAD. With regards to Texas (I assume that you are there because you are applying through the DORA program), you should check on the Texas DMV web site to find out what the requirements are. Click this link and you'll be taken there.

Regarding your joint bank account, the bank should accept a "Taxpayer ID Number" in lieu of an SSN. You can get one of these numbers from the IRS.

Regarding car insurance, my wife is on my insurance using her UK license number. My premium is a little bit higher, but it will drop again once she gets her Florida license. Contact your insurance company to see what their requirements are.

Best of luck,

G

[Steffi 0]

You should go ahead and apply for your SS#!

In my case I was stupid and didn't realize you could apply for your Social Security Number before you got married, so I got married first and then applied for my SS#. As a matter of fact, when I got married and tried to get my name changed they told me I'd have to go to Social Security to get that done. So when I went I went to apply as well as change my name. My only problem was that I wasn't in the SAVE system yet and they told me to come back later so that I'd hopefully be in the system. The second time I went everything was cool and I received the card in the mail 20 days later:

August 31, 2003: Immigration to Atlanta

September 10, 2003: Married

September 22, 2003: File for SS#, "not in system"

September 30, 2003: AOS & EAD to Atlanta

October 1, 2003: Re-apply for SS#, "in system"

October 20, 2003: SS# arrived in mail

[Collie 122]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I tried to fill in my time line but I'm on a real slow dial up and the darn page went white each time I tried doing it. My story is as follows (its not very long, I promise ).

I came to the states on my visa waiver in November to visit my husband who at that point was my fiancee. We got married in February and now here I am ready to do the whole AOS thing through DORA. On those terms can I still apply for a SSN? I realise that getting married on the vwp is frowned upon but it happened and we are a stable happy couple, but I will spare the mushy details because I am quite sure that you all hear it a lot of the time . Anyhow back to the SSN, where do I go to apply for this and what sort of details should I be expected to provide?

Thanks everyone

[Steffi 0]

Here's a link to find your closest Social Security office:

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp

[capederson 0]

Since we waited to long to get the social- we went in and they said b/c his stamp was expiring in 3 weeks, they would not give him a ssn (dang it!) were applying for it through the AOS.

So can I get him a ITIN as the AOS papers go through and then apply for a ss#?

One of the many reasons for asking is we have all these checks with both our names on them and no way to cash them (b/c he is not on my account).

Any ideas?

[lynnd227 0]

Hi Kat:

Take the time to post your timeline as "G" states, it will help us help you.

Your circumstances are a bit different, but normally, to get your Social Security Card, you need the following:

Your receipt letter from the service center processing your Adjustment of Status showing your receipt number and the fact that you have filed for your AOS, your passport with your K-1 Visa stamp and birth certificate.

You can go to www.ssa.gov for information about obtaining your social security card.

Driver's Licensing information you should be able to find online at:

Texas Department of Public Safety

In Florida, an individual needs their social security card before a driver's license can be issued. I am sure the same applies in Texas.

Good luck!!

Lynn and Liam

[mrs.jenjen 0]

Kat,

As far as I know (being a DORA person who came in on the VWP too) To get your SSN you need proof of valid entry - eg. an I-94 which is still valid... and a letter from the USCIS confirming your application to adjust status, which you will get at your initial DORA interview.

As you said you married just before the expiration of your I-94, I'm assuming your 90 days has now expired, and won't be accepted for a SSN. What you need to do is wait either for your Green Card, or your EAD (if you plan on paying for one when you get your 70 day letter). Then you will be able to go to the SSN office and apply for a number.

The other thing to realise is because we didn't file or enter on a K1 - the chance of our details being on the SAVE system (which is what the SSA uses to verify our legal status) is slim to none. So it will probably have to be manually verified with the USCIS before you get a number. I have looked into this and it seems to take anything from one week to a lot lot lot longer.

I'll be doing the whole thing early April as I have my 70 day letter in hand, so I will let you know what happens. Its a long wait and I was bored stupid for a very long time, but as far as I'm concerned it was worth it just for the fact that I spent every single day with David, rather than being 5000 miles away from him.

Jen xx

oh, also - Kat - I got added to my husbands bank account a month after we got married. All we needed was my passport, UK driving license and the certified copy of our marriage certificate. It was the same with his work medical insurance (which was very very useful as I'm now pregnant!!)

I think they made up a fake ssn for me on both of those - with the one at the bank being 460-27-1982 (460 being the code for TX, 27 being the date and 1982 being the year of my birth - took me forever to figure that out!) and the insurance being 777-77-7777.

We're with Chase (formerly Bank One) for banking, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of TX for our medical insurance. So it definately can be done. If you're struggling to find a bank, I recommend Chase in Arlington (right by I-30 on Lemar and N Collins..) they should definately be able to set you up with an account if you don't live too far away.

[Collie 122]

Hey Jen,

Thanks for the info . My husband's work medical insurance is also Blue cross blue shield and we are looking at getting me put onto that fairly quickly. Mega congratulations on your pregnancy by the way!!!

My I-94 is indeed now expired so I guess I shall have to wait on the ssn until we see the DORA people.

You are totally right about the wait being a pain. I realllllly want to get a job and work! On the other hand though its worth it being here with my husband. I dont think I could live 5000 miles away from him...I just can't imagine it. I know it will be worth the wait and my (im) patience will pay off

Kat xx

[sjoefl01 1]

There is no reason for the medical insurance to wait on the SS #. They prefer to have the number but there is no requirement. We have changed insurances a couple of times and both times they entered 999 99 9999 and got it to pass the computer. You may have to tell them that this can be done. Many people at insurance companies just don't know how to handle this.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

If you came on a VWP as I did you can not get a SSN until you are authorised to work.....

Your UK DL is good for 1 year from your date on entry and yes you will need a SSN it apply for a State DL here....

I got included on my husbands care insurance by giving them a copy of the written licence that I got with my UK photo DL.... I did not need a SSN

I opened a bank account without a SSN too.....

Good Luck

Kezzie

[MrsBruce5 0]

Hi,

I am not privy to DL requirements in TX, but I can tell you about the bank situation.

The day after Graham and I were married, I added him onto my checking acct. which was interest bearing.

I had to change it to a non-interest bearing one b/c he didn't have an SS #. I went through Bank of America with no problems at all. Small price to pay, but it looks good at the interview.

It is also helpful if he wires any cash for our immigration fees...

Good Luck with DORA !!!

-Rose

Edited March 31, 2006 by MrsBruce5