How to obtain SSN for a k-1 visa holder?

[iamgemini18 0]

Hi everyone...

We successfully arrived here in California last monday...

Now i am planning to obtain SSN...

I am a k-1 visa holder and have two kids as under k-2 visa... Im just wondering if i do need to apply SSN for them? Well theyre minor so they cant apply for work yet...

I read a thread but it was not so clear in my understanding...

Do we have to get married first before we can apply for ssn?

Do i need to apply for AOS before i can get SSN?

And what are the requirements? Thank you for the time reading my query... Pls everyone let me know... Thanks

[Hypnos 6,576]

Follow Darnell's guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/ (why isn't this stickied?)

A K-2 requires an EAD in order to obtain a social security number.

[Ed and Gina 45]

Hi everyone...

We successfully arrived here in California last monday...

Now i am planning to obtain SSN...

I am a k-1 visa holder and have two kids as under k-2 visa... Im just wondering if i do need to apply SSN for them? Well theyre minor so they cant apply for work yet...

I read a thread but it was not so clear in my understanding...

Do we have to get married first before we can apply for ssn?

Do i need to apply for AOS before i can get SSN?

And what are the requirements? Thank you for the time reading my query... Pls everyone let me know... Thanks

Basically, to claim kids on your taxes, they have to have SSNs. I'm sure that there are plenty of resources here to explain about obtaining a SSN.

I believe that you have to get married first...then adjust status or however it works for K1. Check the resource here on VJ...under Guides...that's a good start. And, there are plenty of K1's here who can tell about their own experience.

Good Luck.

[danver 15]

Hi everyone...

We successfully arrived here in California last monday...

Now i am planning to obtain SSN...

I am a k-1 visa holder and have two kids as under k-2 visa... Im just wondering if i do need to apply SSN for them? Well theyre minor so they cant apply for work yet...

I read a thread but it was not so clear in my understanding...

Do we have to get married first before we can apply for ssn?

Do i need to apply for AOS before i can get SSN?

And what are the requirements? Thank you for the time reading my query... Pls everyone let me know... Thanks

its best u get married first then apply for u and ur kids SSN ..that way u will have ur married name in ur SSN card. U have to go to the nearest SSS office to apply for one.

[earl-andrew 5]

The link below explains the recommended process for K-1 and K-2 visa holders. We followed this, and it works.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

[Ian H. 207]

As a K1 visa holder, you are allowed to apply for a SSN without having to get married first or submit AOS or have an EAD. You can wait to get married if you want to apply for the card in your married name. You can wait for AOS, if you don't want it to have the "not valid for employment..." logo. It's up to you when you want to apply for it, depending on if you need a number right away.

For the K2's they need the EAD first, there is no minimum age for this. I was 2 when I came here and got an EAD stamp on my passport lol. They don't "need" an SSN for now, unless you are applying for something that may require it, like some health insurance or some sort of benefit.

I would apply for the EAD's since it's free when you do AOS, you might as well, that way your children can have SSN's if they need them for whatever reason. Also apply for AP for you and the kids as well, just in case you need to travel. It's all included in the application fee so you might as well use it to your advantage.

Also keep in mind, that some tax credits are only available to USC's or LPR's.

[Al422 221]

I believe that you have to get married first...then adjust status or however it works for K1. Check the resource here on VJ...under Guides...that's a good start. And, there are plenty of K1's here who can tell about their own experience.

Good Luck.

No. Incorrect. Just go to SS office with your visa, birth certificate and I-94 arrival record (you download that last one from USCIS web site). Must go on or before day 71. Do not need marriage, EAD, job offer or anything else.

Edited August 18, 2014 by Al422

[mcuzin1985 13]

No. Incorrect. Just go to SS office with your visa, birth certificate and I-94 arrival record (you download that last one from USCIS web site). Must go on or before day 71. Do not need marriage, EAD, job offer or anything else.

Agree 100% with AI422.

I would recommend getting the K1 Visa applicant's SS # around day 12 of arrival. Reason be it takes that long approx for the I-94 to populate. You will have to get it in her maiden name and once married, you just got back with marriage certificate to get a new one with the married name.

Good luck.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Fam.-based AOS to SSN Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

[kehills 217]

As your kids get older, they will need SSNs for various things, including education. Might as well get them now, when you're going through it for yourself, too.

[iamgemini18 0]

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for all of your responses...

We are planning to get married on sep 8 and also i am not using his last name... I just retained my last name... So would be better if i apply for SSN now?

I also check my I-94 already... And i already have record so I am just gonna print them... Do i need to print my I-94 for my kids as well?

K-2 requirements are the same with mine?

Thanks a lot...

[sweet cakes 326]

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for all of your responses...

We are planning to get married on sep 8 and also i am not using his last name... I just retained my last name... So would be better if i apply for SSN now?

I also check my I-94 already... And i already have record so I am just gonna print them... Do i need to print my I-94 for my kids as well?

K-2 requirements are the same with mine?

Thanks a lot...

K2s need EAD or GC [whichever comes sooner] for them to be eligible for SSN. So, their SSN application will have to wait.

You can apply whenever is convenient for you (before or after the wedding). If prior to AOS application, you just have to make sure you have at least 15 days left on your I-94 validity. Follow the guides and Darnell's post as linked above.

[iamgemini18 0]

Hi everyone... I got my ssn card already but it has a restriction... " valid for work only with DHS authorization"

It means after i recieved my green card i have to go back to SSA office to replace my ssn card with no restriction?

Im confused... Thank you and i hope you guys can give me an idea...

Your respond is highly appreciated...

???

[Ian H. 207]

No. This is what it's supposed to say. This means that the card is only valid for work while your EAD is valid or when you become an LPR, hence DHS authorization.

When you get your AOS approved, you can then go and request a new card without these words on it. It's not necessary that you get it replaced right away or at all when your AOS is approved, since it will still be perfectly valid. So you can go when you have time since there wouldn't be a need to replace it.

Hi everyone... I got my ssn card already but it has a restriction... " valid for work only with DHS authorization"

It means after i recieved my green card i have to go back to SSA office to replace my ssn card with no restriction?

Im confused... Thank you and i hope you guys can give me an idea...
Your respond is highly appreciated...
???