SSN - Told I Can't Apply For One As Married on K1 Visa

[topoftherock2013 23]

hi all,

sounds like SSN is going to be a nightmare!

My POE is on 9th dec, shall I go ahead and apply for an SSN before Im married?

I want to change my surname after marriage, will this be an issue or cost a lot of money to change if I apply for an SSN before marriage?

Thanks in advance.

[Anna Grant 169]

hi all,

sounds like SSN is going to be a nightmare!

My POE is on 9th dec, shall I go ahead and apply for an SSN before Im married?

I want to change my surname after marriage, will this be an issue or cost a lot of money to change if I apply for an SSN before marriage?

Thanks in advance.

It shouldn't be a nightmare if the staff were properly trained!

The easiest way is to apply for you SSN before getting married. It suggests waiting 2 weeks after POE to do that but your details should show up earlier than that on the SAV database now. You should get you SSN card within 2 weeks (I think mine took 6 days)

Once you are married, go back to the SSA office with you SSN card and marriage certificate. Then you can change your name on the SSN card and another card will follow in the mail with your new name on it. This is what I did, although I waited until I had my EAD because of all of the aggravation I had at the beginning.

None of this costs any money - just a lot of waiting around in SSA offices. Most offices only open until 3pm and don't open Wednesday afternoon. I would suggest avoiding Monday mornings and any day after a federal holiday. Details of your nearest SSA office can be found here - https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

Edited December 2, 2013 by Anna Grant

[topoftherock2013 23]

Thanks AG!

I'll apply the same week I land.

Will keep this thread posted on how it goes!

Edited December 2, 2013 by topoftherock2013

[topoftherock2013 23]

can i just apply for an SSN without a work permit?

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

it says I cant??

I printed out the online 1-194 and was about to head out to apply...it would be great if someone could confirm! Thank you.

[Darnell 8,478]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

[Natasha&Luka 16]

Help!

I entered the US on 27 June on a K1 visa. I didn't apply for an SSN as I was getting married in 2 weeks and I know that it takes 2 weeks for my entry details to filter down to SS. I also wanted my SSN card in my married name (after waiting this long to get married!)

We had a lovely wedding on Friday and I sent off all the AOS stuff yesterday.

So I completed the SSN form, checked all the paperwork I needed and went to the local SS office this morning. After queuing for an hour, I was told that I couldn't have an SSN as I had married my fiance and was no longer a K1! She told me I was now a K3!

I tried arguing with them but they were adamant. They also typed some stuff in from my passport into her computer, so I'm pretty sure I can't go anywhere else. I should have asked to speak to a supervisor but I was quite upset by this time. At least I got the name of the person who dealt with me.

So. Where do I go from here? I could wait for the EAD to come through and then go back. However, I do desperately need to get out to work (if at all possible) as our savings have been severely depleted by the year long wait to get to this stage. Waiting for the EAD would add another 2 weeks onto the process waiting for the SSN.

Hey there I had the same problem(although I had ssn from last year when I was on J1 visa). Anyway, I just wanted to change my last name and address on my ssn, but they didn't let me. So I waited to get my EAD. I just show them my ead card and she took my information and said that I will get my new ssn within a month. So...wait for your ead and then try again. Keep us posted !