Ssn ...confused about last name

[User007 93]

Im in the states with k1 since September 1.

Next month we ll get month with my fiance!!!

Should i apply for a ssn before or after the wedding???

I want to change my name and use my fiance s ONLY last name. I dont want to keep mine,

What do u think i should do? Ssn is so confusing!!

[d3adc0d3 186]

If you're changing your name it would be easier to apply after the wedding.

The logic for this is that you cannot apply for a SSN with his last name until you're married (the marriage certificate would be the evidence you need to present of the name change), so you'd have to get it on YOUR last name, and then after the marriage get a new card with your NEW last name.

Essentially waiting until you're married removes those extra steps from the process.

[Kev-N-Ann 45]

Be careful!!! Very careful!

You came on the 4th, right? You count 14 days, that the secure system database needs to be updated, and then you go and apply for the SSN BEFORE you get married. Their system has your maiden name in (the name you used to enter the country) and the name that is on your Visa. You're going to need your I-94 and your passport with your Visa on it.

After you get married, you will send the AOS papers using your new name and when you receive the confirmation that they got your papers, you will go back to the SS office and ask them to change your name.

Many people applied for the SSN after the wedding and it was a hassle with the name change and the entrance papers etc., as many employees are not familiar with the whole K1 process.

Message me if you need anything else!

[d3adc0d3 186]

Be careful!!! Very careful!

You came on the 4th, right? You count 14 days, that the secure system database needs to be updated, and then you go and apply for the SSN BEFORE you get married. Their system has your maiden name in (the name you used to enter the country) and the name that is on your Visa. You're going to need your I-94 and your passport with your Visa on it.

After you get married, you will send the AOS papers using your new name and when you receive the confirmation that they got your papers, you will go back to the SS office and ask them to change your name.

Many people applied for the SSN after the wedding and it was a hassle with the name change and the entrance papers etc., as many employees are not familiar with the whole K1 process.

Message me if you need anything else!

Last I checked, if you bring the I-94, the beneficiary's passport with the visa page and stamped entry, a copy of your approval letter (NoA-2), and your marriage certificate they can find your record, and update your last name AFTER the marriage. You'll have to provide more paperwork, but it's easier than going back and forth.

If you're concerned about the SSA Workers not understanding the process, it's been advised to print out the paper that comes with your I-94 (I think?) that states they can get a SSN.

Edited September 5, 2014 by d3adc0d3

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It is very common to have trouble with name changes for a SSN on a K-1 visa, and many SSA employees will turn someone away on a K-1 if they have gotten married. They think that makes them a K-3. That is wrong, but finding someone who knows that can take many wasted trips to the SSA.

It is the best advice to get the SSN in maiden name before marriage, apply for AOS in the married name, then go back and change the SSN to married name once GC is received.

[d3adc0d3 186]

It is very common to have trouble with name changes for a SSN on a K-1 visa, and many SSA employees will turn someone away on a K-1 if they have gotten married. They think that makes them a K-3. That is wrong, but finding someone who knows that can take many wasted trips to the SSA.

It is the best advice to get the SSN in maiden name before marriage, apply for AOS in the married name, then go back and change the SSN to married name once GC is received.

It's rather sad when our own Government Officials don't even understand how immigration works.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It's rather sad when our own Government Officials don't even understand how immigration works.

SSA workers are like DMV rejects.

[Kev-N-Ann 45]

It's rather sad when our own Government Officials don't even understand how immigration works.

It is, unfortunately, but going through all this time consuming, stressful and sometimes devastating situation, it is best to be on the safe side than having to prove that you're not an elephant. That's why I preferred to do the extra trip to the SS office and save me the trouble.

[Kev-N-Ann 45]

SSA workers are like DMV rejects.

DMV workers know immigration much better and they gave me good advice, when I went there to get information about my license.

[d3adc0d3 186]

I'm kinda relieved to know that I'll be changing my name as the USC and not him, after this!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It's really not an extra trip this way either, because most people want to get an unrestricted SS card when they get the GC. The one that you get with your k-1 or even with an EAD says "not valid for work without authorization" or something written on top.

[d3adc0d3 186]

It's really not an extra trip this way either, because most people want to get an unrestricted SS card when they get the GC. The one that you get with your k-1 or even with an EAD says "not valid for work without authorization" or something written on top.

When I had inquired (which could very well be wrong, as we know how accurate the information we get from the Gov't is), I was told the SSN would be limited until the Conditions on the GC are lifted?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

When I had inquired (which could very well be wrong, as we know how accurate the information we get from the Gov't is), I was told the SSN would be limited until the Conditions on the GC are lifted?

Nope nope nope.

There is a pervasive misnomer that the first GC is only "conditional" residence or something with more restrictions than the 10-year GC. That is not true. A 2-year GC holder has all the same rights and responsibilities as a 10-year GC holder, and they are both permanent residents. The 2-year GC holder just has to renew their card in a different way. That's all.

[d3adc0d3 186]

Nope nope nope.

There is a pervasive misnomer that the first GC is only "conditional" residence or something with more restrictions than the 10-year GC. That is not true. A 2-year GC holder has all the same rights and responsibilities as a 10-year GC holder, and they are both permanent residents. The 2-year GC holder just has to renew their card in a different way. That's all.

Good to know! We had planned on working on his credit here, but I was going to wait until his SSN was not restricted after the conditions are lifted.

If I understand this correctly, we only have to wait until we get a GC to build his credit?

Mine is shot from my divorce about 6 years ago. My ex took out loans and bank accounts in my name while we were still married and basically trashed what little credit I had (which was decent, but I had 3 loans, 2 of which were school loans). The courts decided that since we were technically still married I was responsible for it. =/

[User007 93]

Ohhhh wooooow!!! Sounds like tooooooo much work...

I arrived at September 1st, and i can say that the officers were soooo kind.... Soooooo different than the embassy!!!!

I ll go after the 15th tor the ssn ... I ll keep u posted!!