SSN Name Change Before or After EAD Received?

[PalmTrees 34]

Hello. Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere but I couldn't find an answer in previous topics when I searched.

I have a SSN from a previous J-1. I got married in June and am yet to update my SSN to my married name. Do I need to update the SSN to my married name before or after I receive the EAD card?

A friend of mine said that when he received the EAD card, the letter that accompanied it said he had 2 days to get to the SSN office to register the EAD number with his SSN number. Now I don't know if he was making stuff up (he has a tendency to do so) but if I do have to go to the SSN office when I receive the EAD then would it be best to change my name there?

Thanks in advance for any help

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I believe you have been in the country longer than 90 days. Your eligibility for a SSN based on your K1 visa is over. I don't think they will change your name or anything else at this point. When you get EAD, then go show them your eligibility to work and your name change. You have longer than 2 days. Your eligible work status might not even be updated for them to verify for 2 weeks.

[PalmTrees 34]

Thank you for replying

So I can't go in and change it to my married name now? I wasn't aware that there was a time limit for changing names :s

I guess I will have to wait until I receive the EAD card and then do it. I'm guessing if I take my old card, an ID, the EAD and my marriage certificate then it should be ok to change it then?

Will this delay being able to work as surely if an employer checks my SSN its going to be under my maiden name and have "not authorized without DHS authorization" etc stamped on it, I'm just not sure how its going to match up to my EAD :S

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you for replying

So I can't go in and change it to my married name now? I wasn't aware that there was a time limit for changing names :s

I guess I will have to wait until I receive the EAD card and then do it. I'm guessing if I take my old card, an ID, the EAD and my marriage certificate then it should be ok to change it then?

Will this delay being able to work as surely if an employer checks my SSN its going to be under my maiden name and have "not authorized without DHS authorization" etc stamped on it, I'm just not sure how its going to match up to my EAD :S

I think your old number may be "inactive" now with nothing to show you are eligible to have a card (if you didn't already have a number). So they might just send you off if you tried a name change. It's kinda like getting your name changed on a driver license that has expired. They may not even bother with you. You could always spend half a day waiting in line and ask.

The stamp on the card doesn't matter. Working under that SSN requires DHS authorization. The EAD card is the authorization. Once you get EAD, go update your Social Security records that you are authorized to work. No clue how an employer will handle it. Your old card has your name on it. Surely you have something in that maiden name and a marriage certificate to prove it is yours. Your EAD proves it's legal for you to work. You can work or he may want you to wait until it is all straight in the records. Not every employer uses e-verify to look you up.