Do I need to get SSN before AOS, EAD and AP?

[KPea 0]

Hi everyone!

Upon entering the US, I will wait 2 weeks then apply for SSN. A few days later we will be getting married and I plan on filing AOS, EAD, and AP forms immediately after so I imagine I will not have my SSN back by then.

Do I need to have a SSN for these forms? I know it says "if any" but is this important, will it come back to bite me later if I do not have a SSN on the initial application forms?

Also can I use the same Affidavit of Support supporting documents (fiance's letter of employment, statements from banks, tax returns etc) from Packet 3's I-134 form, for the AOS I-864? Or will my fiance (by then husband) have to obtain new updated documents? It will have been about 7 months since I submitted the same documents for Packet 3.

Has everyone been getting their EAD and AP within three months from applying?

Thank you!

[TBoneTX 45,288]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to AOS/Family-Based main forum -- query involves stage beyond K-1. ***

[aussie_jason 195]

Get married first, then file AOS and then get your SSN, you should be able to pre-fill out all the forms & gather supporting docs and then once you get the official marriage certificate you can copy it and get your AOS process started. You don't need a SSN to get married or to file for AOS so there is no reason to wait that initial 2 weeks and if you wait to get your SSN until after you get your marriage certificate you can get it issued in your married name as long as you have at least 2 weeks left on your I-94

It seems the trend is becoming closer to 3 months for the majority of EAD/AP approvals so the sooner you get it started the better.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

SSN is not needed for filing AOS. You can go get the SSN in your married name once you have the EAD/AP card.

Provide updated documentation. The most recent tax transcript is probably now 2013, not 2012, and most recent pay stubs are better than ones from 7 months ago. If nothing has changed for his job, same position, same salary, then the employment letter can probably be reused. Just put recent pay stubs with it.

[isabooo 27]

I was under the impression that as a K1 visa holder same as OP, I could get my SSN as soon as I enter US? and not have to wait for EAD/AP . From here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

'As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do

not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA
offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire'

Edited March 4, 2014 by isabooo

[Ilovemyman 147]

Hi everyone!

Upon entering the US, I will wait 2 weeks then apply for SSN. A few days later we will be getting married and I plan on filing AOS, EAD, and AP forms immediately after so I imagine I will not have my SSN back by then.

Do I need to have a SSN for these forms? I know it says "if any" but is this important, will it come back to bite me later if I do not have a SSN on the initial application forms?

Also can I use the same Affidavit of Support supporting documents (fiance's letter of employment, statements from banks, tax returns etc) from Packet 3's I-134 form, for the AOS I-864? Or will my fiance (by then husband) have to obtain new updated documents? It will have been about 7 months since I submitted the same documents for Packet 3.

Has everyone been getting their EAD and AP within three months from applying?

Thank you!

When I arrive to usa, I will get ssn firts and after I will get marry.

Many k1 holder have problems getting ssn after marriage, they tell tthem at tge ss office that tgey need to wait for gc for apply for ssn.

So it is better get ssn before marriage and if you are going to change your name , then after you get marry you go again to the ss office with your marriage certificate and change your name.

There are a lot of post here about that.

[baron555 934]

Do I need to have a SSN for these forms?

No

I know it says "if any" but is this important, will it come back to bite me later if I do not have a SSN on the initial application forms?

Also can I use the same Affidavit of Support supporting documents (fiance's letter of employment, statements from banks, tax returns etc) from Packet 3's I-134 form, for the AOS I-864?

Yes, but include newer pay check summaries.

Or will my fiance (by then husband) have to obtain new updated documents? It will have been about 7 months since I submitted the same documents for Packet 3.

Has everyone been getting their EAD and AP within three months from applying?

Yes, about.

Thank you!

[aussie_jason 195]

I was under the impression that as a K1 visa holder same as OP, I could get my SSN as soon as I enter US? and not have to wait for EAD/AP . From here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Yes, you can get a SSN after entering on a K1 but it does not authorize you to work, to be able to work you need your EAD. You can apply for one before you get married but it still takes 60-90 days plus you need to pay the fee and if you happen to get it before your I-94 expires (90 days) then that EAD expires when your I-94 does, there isn't much chance of getting it in time so either way you would just be kissing goodbye to the fee.

If you must have a SSN for some reason then do it on a concurrent path so your AOS doesn't get delayed.

[nobbie 105]

I got my SSN pretty much as soon as i got here, would have gotten it earlier but for the Govt shutdown. I only needed my passport with visa and copy of my I94, they did ask for my marriage cert but apparently this is unusual. I am a bloke so don't have the married name change issue. Most people I have seen in the SSN forum recommend you get your SSN before marriage so your name matches up with what they have in their system from CBP.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I was under the impression that as a K1 visa holder same as OP, I could get my SSN as soon as I enter US? and not have to wait for EAD/AP . From here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

'As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do

not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA

offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire'

Yes, you can. With the I-94 now being automated, no reason to even wait the 2 weeks time to go apply. I was just answering the OP's question about whether or not they can file for AOS without the SSN.

[KPea 0]

Yes, you can. With the I-94 now being automated, no reason to even wait the 2 weeks time to go apply. I was just answering the OP's question about whether or not they can file for AOS without the SSN.

Oh the waiting two weeks after POE to apply for SSN was only because the I-94 was not not electronic? So now that is it...we can go apply for SSN the very next day after POE?

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Oh the waiting two weeks after POE to apply for SSN was only because the I-94 was not not electronic? So now that is it...we can go apply for SSN the very next day after POE?

Yes. People have been going right away. The waiting 2 weeks was for your information to be in the system. Since they are now automated, there is no waiting for it to be entered into the system. The info for the I-94 comes from scanning your passport instead of filling out the paper form.

[nobbie 105]

Go here after you arrive

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html;jsessionid=pCKHTXSfVnT8nFyw8rg7c4M8Qrf98Lt3yjhQBpYD2LvvYLSHhphn!42230073

and enter the details, it will then produce you i94, print it and take it with you to the SS office along with passport. There is a guide on here about SSN, I took the part with me which is an extract from the SS manual and shows K1 is entitled to an SSN. I was expecting an argument given what I had read of peoples experience but it was a doodle, in and out in 15 mins, card arrived 2 working days later.

[KPea 0]

Go here after you arrive

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html;jsessionid=pCKHTXSfVnT8nFyw8rg7c4M8Qrf98Lt3yjhQBpYD2LvvYLSHhphn!42230073

and enter the details, it will then produce you i94, print it and take it with you to the SS office along with passport. There is a guide on here about SSN, I took the part with me which is an extract from the SS manual and shows K1 is entitled to an SSN. I was expecting an argument given what I had read of peoples experience but it was a doodle, in and out in 15 mins, card arrived 2 working days later.

Sounds easy! So as a K-1 holder, I only need to take the i94 print out, RM 10211.530 (the pages taken from manual indicating K1 on the list of visa types eligible for SSN) print out and passport/visa to the SS office.

K1 visa holders do not need to fill in any application forms for SSN? Is the SS-5 application form not needed for K1 holders?

Application for a Social Security Card: The Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) can be used by anyone who has never been issued a card, needs a replacement card or has changed his or her name. THIS SERVICE IS FREE.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

You do need to fill out the application.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Jay-Kay