Trouble getting SSN with K1??!!

[carlythecanadian 0]

I'm wondering if anyone has been in this situation and has some helpful advice:

I entered the US on October 4th on a K1. I got married this Sunday, October 20th and went to apply for my SSN on the 21st. After waiting in line for 1.5 hours the lady asked me if I was already married. I told her yes and then she told me that then I am no longer eligible for a SSN until I have received my EAD because the marriage makes my K1 visa invalid. Another clerk who was passing by even jumped in and said that now I am a K3 holder and they are ineligible for work....which is absurd. My visa didn't magically change to a K3. Anyway, I tried to insist that as long as my I94 is valid for more than two more weeks I am still eligible, but they were having none of it. She handed me a letter telling me to return with my EAD and it had a number to call to get a case review if I disagreed with their decision. The letter stated that someone else would review my case ,but when I called it they said I had to talk to the same lady and forwarded me to her voicemail, and she is yet to return my call. I have also since called the national SSN toll free number and spoken to two different people who have told me that it does not matter if I am married or not, and that my SSN card with just be stamped "only valid with DHS verification". I asked what I could do if the office I went to is unaware of that rule, and they just gave me the phone number for the office I was in (downtown Indianapolis) and told me I'd have to talk to them.

Sooooo frustrating! I realize I can't work anyways without my EAD but was hoping to be able to get my drivers licence and transfer my nursing licence to Indiana so that I don't have to wait EVEN LONGER to work once I receive my EAD.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K-1 Process to SSN Forum~

~Inquiring about SSN, Past K-1~

[Hank_ 9,174]

BULLSh_T !!

You for sure need to talk to a supervisor and get past that Forrest Gump Graduate from the school of Stupid is as Stupid does.

http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

[Darnell 8,478]

jump back, ask for the supervisor.

give over the passport, ask for a SAVE database lookup.

If supervisor can find you, proceed with SS-5 application.

[nobbie 105]

I went today with passport, SSN 5, I 94 and marriage cert, no issues, I think I 94 is important as it shows you are here properly. Take also the document suggested in the SSN guide as it shows k1 is eligible, I had it with me just in case but it was the same document the lady checked herself.

[Darnell 8,478]

great! go back tomorrow, and

get the number (not the card)

or

learn of more problems.

One Less Thing!

[carlythecanadian 0]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I did go back today and got a MUCH more helpful lady who basically said that the other people didn't know what they were talking about. I agree.

However, she said they still had to go through DHS for verification - that they could try it electronically, which takes 24 hours, and if that didn't work they'd do a manual one that can take up to 4 weeks. I've read through the forums here and see that that is not uncommon, and if I have to wait 4 weeks that is fine, however I'm just wondering if it will be a problem that I have already filed for AOS? Even though I have filed for AOS my I-94 is still good to get a SSN until 2 weeks before it expires right? Also, will it be a problem that I applied for my SSN in my visa name (following the advice of fellow VJers) but have since filed my AOS in my married name? They should still be able to verify my status from my visa name correct?

[Darnell 8,478]

oh no. you not get a SAVE database lookup

and

you not apply in VISA name ?

OH NO !!!

DHS 'verification' is the kiss of death.

Sorry !

OH NO !!!

[Bugs 455]

This is why anyone going to the SSA should bring SSA procedural documentation to educate these clerks when/if needed. They train their workers poorly.

[Bugs 455]

oh no. you not get a SAVE database lookup

and

you not apply in VISA name ?

OH NO !!!

DHS 'verification' is the kiss of death.

Sorry !

OH NO !!!

If you apply in your visa name are you committing misrep, and what if they ask if you are married like the OP was asked?

Edited November 1, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[Darnell 8,478]

No. Not at all

[carlythecanadian 0]

I got my SSN card in the mail last week. Turns out DHS authorization is not always "the kiss of death."

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I got my SSN card in the mail last week. Turns out DHS authorization is not always "the kiss of death."

Now go back with your marriage certificate and apply for a name change. Too easy.