SSN before marriage and less than 14 days after arrival

[drenie_elyonie 12]

Hello!

I will be entering the US on January 26th, and we will be getting married a week after (February 5). We plan on getting my SSN on Feb 3, which is around 8 days after my arrival. I read on the SSN guides that I should apply for it after 14 days since my data will only be available in the SAVE database after that period. My questions are, do you know of a case where the person applied for a SSN before the 14 day mark, and if that's not possible, can I still apply for an SSN in my maiden name even after I get married? I plan on applying for it in my maiden name, even if I will eventually be changing my last name to my fiance's. I read on some of the threads here that some SSA offices do not allow you to get SSN after you get married if you arrived on a K1 visa, since the visa will no longer be valid after marriage, and that you will need to wait for the greencard before you can apply . We wanted to get married as early as possible because my fiance's lease on his apartment will be expiring by Feb 27. He works for the Navy and they require 30 days notice (we need to submit the marriage cert) before he can move out or else we will have to sign another lease which will be for another year, and we couldn't afford it anymore since it's really very expensive (plus he shares the apartment with another navy guy so when i get there it'll be awkward ).

My fiance is stationed in San Diego, and we'll be moving to another (less roomy but less expensive ) apartment there. Right now he lives in an apartment inside the naval base.

If anyone has a similar experience, your opinions are very much appreciated

[baron555 934]

Hello!

My questions are, do you know of a case where the person applied for a SSN before the 14 day mark, and if that's not possible,

It might be. Read the Guides for SSNs and you'll read about the possible pitfalls. Won't hurt to try.

can I still apply for an SSN in my maiden name even after I get married?

Your official ID will be your passport which will still be in your maiden name.

I plan on applying for it in my maiden name, even if I will eventually be changing my last name to my fiance's.

Yes, your SSN will be assigned to you, regardless of what you call yourself. You can change your name as many times as you wish and your SSN will never change.

I read on some of the threads here that some SSA offices do not allow you to get SSN after you get married if you arrived on a K1 visa,

Wrong.

since the visa will no longer be valid after marriage,

Huh? Your K-1 visa was cancelled at POE and replaced with a 90 day I-94 visa. It's expiration has nothing to do with marriage.

and that you will need to wait for the greencard before you can apply .

Usually they will not process a SSN if there is little time remaining on the I-94 visa, regardless again of any marriage. Then you have to wait.

[Anna Grant 169]

Hello!

I will be entering the US on January 26th, and we will be getting married a week after (February 5). We plan on getting my SSN on Feb 3, which is around 8 days after my arrival. I read on the SSN guides that I should apply for it after 14 days since my data will only be available in the SAVE database after that period. My questions are, do you know of a case where the person applied for a SSN before the 14 day mark, and if that's not possible, can I still apply for an SSN in my maiden name even after I get married? I plan on applying for it in my maiden name, even if I will eventually be changing my last name to my fiance's. I read on some of the threads here that some SSA offices do not allow you to get SSN after you get married if you arrived on a K1 visa, since the visa will no longer be valid after marriage, and that you will need to wait for the greencard before you can apply . We wanted to get married as early as possible because my fiance's lease on his apartment will be expiring by Feb 27. He works for the Navy and they require 30 days notice (we need to submit the marriage cert) before he can move out or else we will have to sign another lease which will be for another year, and we couldn't afford it anymore since it's really very expensive (plus he shares the apartment with another navy guy so when i get there it'll be awkward ).

My fiance is stationed in San Diego, and we'll be moving to another (less roomy but less expensive ) apartment there. Right now he lives in an apartment inside the naval base.

If anyone has a similar experience, your opinions are very much appreciated

You no longer need to wait the full 14 days after your POE. Their systems are updated a later quicker now and you should be fine 8 days after POE.

Yes, you are right that a number of us have experienced problems getting SSNs after marriage through the incompetence and bad training of SSA officers. It is much easier to apply for your SSN before marriage and in the name that your visa is in. Once you have your EAD in your married name, then it;s easy to go back with your marriage certificate, EAD card and change your SSN card to your married name.

[Tahoma 2,292]

My wife, Chinook, came to the U.S. on a K-1 visa and applied for a Social Security number in her maiden name about a week after she arrived. She received her SS card in the mail about two weeks later. We were not married at the time.

After we got married, and got our marriage certificate, and about a month before her I-94 expired, Chinook went to the SS office with our marriage certificate and applied for a name change to her married name. She received her updated SS card about two weeks later in the mail.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hello!

I will be entering the US on January 26th, and we will be getting married a week after (February 5). We plan on getting my SSN on Feb 3, which is around 8 days after my arrival. I read on the SSN guides that I should apply for it after 14 days since my data will only be available in the SAVE database after that period. My questions are, do you know of a case where the person applied for a SSN before the 14 day mark, and if that's not possible, can I still apply for an SSN in my maiden name even after I get married? I plan on applying for it in my maiden name, even if I will eventually be changing my last name to my fiance's. I read on some of the threads here that some SSA offices do not allow you to get SSN after you get married if you arrived on a K1 visa, since the visa will no longer be valid after marriage, and that you will need to wait for the greencard before you can apply . We wanted to get married as early as possible because my fiance's lease on his apartment will be expiring by Feb 27. He works for the Navy and they require 30 days notice (we need to submit the marriage cert) before he can move out or else we will have to sign another lease which will be for another year, and we couldn't afford it anymore since it's really very expensive (plus he shares the apartment with another navy guy so when i get there it'll be awkward ).

My fiance is stationed in San Diego, and we'll be moving to another (less roomy but less expensive ) apartment there. Right now he lives in an apartment inside the naval base.

If anyone has a similar experience, your opinions are very much appreciated

As for applying for an SSN after 8 days, no one really knows... you can report back after trying if SAVE had your data or not. Remember to print out your I-94 from the CBP website as that is required also.

As for getting you SSN in your married name before having your green card, there should be NO issue except a vast number of SSA offices are staffed by Forrest Gump graduates and don't have a clue. My wife got her SSN two days after we were married, IN her married name with NO issues, luckily the SSA office here has a few educated personal. Requirement for getting the SSN card in your married name is a certified copy of your marriage certificate according to the SSA website - but like said many SSA offices are not staffed with the most intelligent personal.

(@ Baron555: BTW the I-94 is not a visa, it's an arrival departure form)

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K-1 Process to SSN Forum~

~Inquiry about post K-1, SSN process~

[drenie_elyonie 12]

My questions are, do you know of a case where the person applied for a SSN before the 14 day mark, and if that's not possible,

It might be. Read the Guides for SSNs and you'll read about the possible pitfalls. Won't hurt to try.

can I still apply for an SSN in my maiden name even after I get married?

Your official ID will be your passport which will still be in your maiden name.

I plan on applying for it in my maiden name, even if I will eventually be changing my last name to my fiance's.

Yes, your SSN will be assigned to you, regardless of what you call yourself. You can change your name as many times as you wish and your SSN will never change.

I read on some of the threads here that some SSA offices do not allow you to get SSN after you get married if you arrived on a K1 visa,

Wrong.

since the visa will no longer be valid after marriage,

Huh? Your K-1 visa was cancelled at POE and replaced with a 90 day I-94 visa. It's expiration has nothing to do with marriage.

and that you will need to wait for the greencard before you can apply .

Usually they will not process a SSN if there is little time remaining on the I-94 visa, regardless again of any marriage. Then you have to wait.

Thanks for the detailed answers, baron555! Yeah I agree with Hank_ that the I-94 is not a visa, it just states until when you can legally stay in the US with the visa you used to enter. We'll definitely carry on with my plan of trying to get the SSN after 8 days, as from the different topics here they just show how different each SSA office is depending on who is on duty.

[drenie_elyonie 12]

You no longer need to wait the full 14 days after your POE. Their systems are updated a later quicker now and you should be fine 8 days after POE.

Yes, you are right that a number of us have experienced problems getting SSNs after marriage through the incompetence and bad training of SSA officers. It is much easier to apply for your SSN before marriage and in the name that your visa is in. Once you have your EAD in your married name, then it;s easy to go back with your marriage certificate, EAD card and change your SSN card to your married name.

Hi Anna! From which local office did you get your SSA? I hope it's the same case for all the offices (and that the SSA officer we get will be as competent as possibly required for their job).

[drenie_elyonie 12]

My wife, Chinook, came to the U.S. on a K-1 visa and applied for a Social Security number in her maiden name about a week after she arrived. She received her SS card in the mail about two weeks later. We were not married at the time.

After we got married, and got our marriage certificate, and about a month before her I-94 expired, Chinook went to the SS office with our marriage certificate and applied for a name change to her married name. She received her updated SS card about two weeks later in the mail.

Wow! and this was 4 years ago? I hope they have not gotten slower since that time Thanks for sharing, Tahoma!

[drenie_elyonie 12]

As for applying for an SSN after 8 days, no one really knows... you can report back after trying if SAVE had your data or not. Remember to print out your I-94 from the CBP website as that is required also.

As for getting you SSN in your married name before having your green card, there should be NO issue except a vast number of SSA offices are staffed by Forrest Gump graduates and don't have a clue. My wife got her SSN two days after we were married, IN her married name with NO issues, luckily the SSA office here has a few educated personal. Requirement for getting the SSN card in your married name is a certified copy of your marriage certificate according to the SSA website - but like said many SSA offices are not staffed with the most intelligent personal.

(@ Baron555: BTW the I-94 is not a visa, it's an arrival departure form)

lol, forrest gump? I do hope we get one with enough brains to send us on our merry way without any issues. Thanks for the reminder about printing out the I-94! I'll report back here to share our experience

[Anna Grant 169]

Hi Anna! From which local office did you get your SSA? I hope it's the same case for all the offices (and that the SSA officer we get will be as competent as possibly required for their job).

From Aurora IL. Elgin was the one i had problems with (see my thread in the SSN section - can't link to it as on my cellphone) .

[drenie_elyonie 12]

From Aurora IL. Elgin was the one i had problems with (see my thread in the SSN section - can't link to it as on my cellphone) .

Thanks! I'll just search for --

--and i found it! Here's the thread you're referring to: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/442017-ssn-told-i-cant-apply-for-one-as-married-on-k1-visa/

We'll I think I'm in the same boat as you were. Thanks for the tip! I'm sorry you had to go through that kind of experience. Throughout this whole immigration experience, I get paranoid sometimes of stuff that could go wrong along the way. I've always been glad of people like you who take the time to help others. Thanks Anna!