New Rules Regarding Obtaining SSN (K1)

[Megan & Luke 93]

Visit the SSN guide on VJ here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

There is a form they list:

Print the following webpage out (K-1 Visa Holder Only):
>> RM 10211.530

It's for K-1 holders as many offices do not know they can issue them to K-1 visa holders. They suggest taking it to the office when your fiancee applies for her SSN card.

Edited August 14, 2014 by MeganLuke

[Sungtory 4]

Visit the SSN guide on VJ here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

There is a form they list:

Print the following webpage out (K-1 Visa Holder Only):

>> RM 10211.530

It's for K-1 holders as many offices do not know they can issue them to K-1 visa holders. They suggest taking it to the office when your fiancee applies for her SSN card.

Thanks! We'll try it again tomorrow.

Good luck on your visa journey~

[KayDeeCee 4,895]

Another SSA worker that has no clue. Hope you have better luck on your second attempt.

[raven52 233]

There is absolutely nothing different here, than what was in place when my wife came here in 2013.

We made a mistake by not getting her ssn as soon as she got here, as the I-94 has her maiden name on it.

We went after we were married.,.,,."WRONG".,.,.,as the system had her maiden name.

We had to wait for the EAD/AP to come in.,.,..,THEN we got her ssn.

THIS is nothing new...,., same as last year!

NO new SSN rules!

[BobH 17]

Really looking forward to this step.

Michigan requires an SSN for both for a marriage license, so hopefully I can get it without a problem. Another reason to not wait until the last minute.

Then again, a reason to go to Vegas.

[Zedayn 485]

Really looking forward to this step.

Michigan requires an SSN for both for a marriage license, so hopefully I can get it without a problem. Another reason to not wait until the last minute.

Then again, a reason to go to Vegas.

An SSN isn't required to get married. When you go to get your marriage license, explain that your fiancé doesn't have an SSN and they will accommodate you.

[Michael-Moneth 6]

I didn't have any problem when i applied for SSN few months back. My I-94 was about to expire when i did it and was already married. I had my married name on it. They asked for my passport, visa, I-94 and i presented our marriage certificate since I used my married name already.

The dilemma started when I applied for a State ID recently. We just applied for AOS and have the NOA1 for it. When we went to the Secretary of State office, I have to present same documents but they have to run Additional Verification since my I-94 has expired and when they check my A# it wouldn't go through they said and have to manually ask USCIS for information about my immigration status. I am still waiting for the result of the Additional Verification and it has been a week. They said it would have been good or easy if I got my greencard already or the employment authorization but i have to get it now since it is a requirement for enrolling my daughter in school.

[joshandgigi 8]

Honestly the thing I've learned about the K1 with my wife and SSN is they have 10 different answers for each. If you are in the right per what VJ says you need to just keep trying.

[Ralphiey 13]

Rules have not changed, they fed you a line of bull. A K-1 visa holder does not need to wait for the green card in order to get an SSN. My fiancée applied for her SSN and its already on the way in the mail to us.

When you apply for the SSN, your wife will be in the system under her maiden name and as such it would be easier to apply for the SSN under her maiden name. Once your wife receives her EAD with her married name, then you can change her name on the SSN because the system would now have her married name. It doesn't matter if you apply before or after you are married. The only thing that does matter is if your I-94 is expired or near expiration, you would have to wait until she has the EAD to apply.

If you have at least a couple weeks remaining on the I-94, then go to a different SSA office and apply for a SSN under your wife's maiden name. Make sure you mark on the question that asks that she is a legal alien allowed to work.

If the I-94 is close to expiration, then apply for the green card along with EAD. Once you have the EAD, go back to the SSA office and apply for a SSN under your wife's married name.

When we went to the SSA office, the lady tried to tell us at first that my fiancée needed her EAD at least because as a K-1 visa holder she couldn't work without it...and therefore was ineligible to receive the SSN. I explained to her that it wasn't true, she IS eligible, and after she tried to tell me again that wasn't the case, I simply told her to look up my fiancée's information in the computer and she could see for herself that she was eligible. A few minutes later, after checking her system, she smiles to me and says everything is verified she'll get the card in the mail in about 10 days.

Sometimes the people that work there don't know the rules, and won't bother to even check their systems. You need to make them check their systems, or get a supervisor that will help you better. Or go to a different SSA office.

my K1 visa expired already and we were planning to get SSN soon as my EAD arrives; Should I apply for my last name appearing on EAD or I can apply my hyphenated name supported by marriage certificate? I'm just confused.

[Ralphiey 13]

There is absolutely nothing different here, than what was in place when my wife came here in 2013.

We made a mistake by not getting her ssn as soon as she got here, as the I-94 has her maiden name on it.

We went after we were married.,.,,."WRONG".,.,.,as the system had her maiden name.

We had to wait for the EAD/AP to come in.,.,..,THEN we got her ssn.

THIS is nothing new...,., same as last year!

NO new SSN rules!

does the EAD/AP has your wife's married name already?

[KayDeeCee 4,895]

my K1 visa expired already and we were planning to get SSN soon as my EAD arrives; Should I apply for my last name appearing on EAD or I can apply my hyphenated name supported by marriage certificate? I'm just confused.

If you are changing your name when you marry, then the married name should be on the EAD. If using the EAD, then apply for the SSN in the married name that shows on the EAD. You should file all your AOS forms in the name you plan on using after marriage.

[landr 126]

I'm in SoCal. I POEed on 23 July. Applied for SSN at my local SSA (Moreno Valley) on 1st August. Received SSN in the mail on 8th August. All done in maiden name (not married yet). I took the memo about K-1 visa holders being allowed to work, but did not need it in the end. For reference, K-1 visa holders will receive an SSN "card" marked "Valid for work only with DHS authorization." So you get your SSN, but you still have to wait for your EAD or GC before you can work legally.

To echo the others, the rules haven't changed.

[Sungtory 4]

Winner Winner chicken dinner~

We tried our luck at a difference office except this time she used her maiden name. We also brought a copy of RM 10211.530 in case we were given "new rules" again.

She got her SSN and should receive via mail in 10days or so.

Thank you all for your feedback.

Note, this office required a copy of her birth certificate along with translation. Had to make a quick trip back for it but in the end it all worked out. phew...

[sweet cakes 326]

Winner Winner chicken dinner~

We tried our luck at a difference office except this time she used her maiden name. We also brought a copy of RM 10211.530 in case we were given "new rules" again.

She got her SSN and should receive via mail in 10days or so.

Thank you all for your feedback.

Note, this office required a copy of her birth certificate along with translation. Had to make a quick trip back for it but in the end it all worked out. phew...

That's awesome! Thanks for the update and great to know you guys got it all sorted out!

[raven52 233]

Kerry and Ralph,

YES, her married name was on her EAD/AP.,.,.,,.,then everything went very smoothly!

raven 52