AOS newbie

[Beautifulday 16]

Yes. The person posting above is mistaken. Not all states have you choose what name you want to use after marriage or include the married name anywhere on the license or certificate. The marriage certificate will still act as your legal name change document, even in the many states that do not list your married name anywhere on your marriage certificate. Once you are married, you can begin using your new married name right away. The SSN does not control your name change.

Use it on all the AOS forms, as it will be the name your EAD/AP and green card will come with. List maiden name where it asks for other names used/maiden name.

I wonder what that's like in IL. I did too think that I will need to write which name I will be going by. So in the states that don't ask you that you automatically "inherit" your fiance's lastname, right? Haha I wonder what do you have to do if you want to keep your name. I don't, but it is crazy how different things are in different states!

What about if I want to open up a bank account, my only ID at the time is my passport, with my family name in it. What can I do then? Open up that account using my family name and then change it after I get a new ID?

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

It is best to apply for the SSN in maiden name so it matches the name in the system. Some have been able to correctly get the SSN in their married name using their marriage certificate, but many SSA workers don't do things correctly. That is why it is easier to get the SSN in the maiden name and then change it later after getting the EAD in your married name. They want government ID showing your married name in order to change it.

The mistaken part was mainly about choosing the name at the time you marry. Many states do not have you choose and list the new married name anywhere on the license or certificate, so their state might not ask what name they intend to use. They can still use their married name right away and the marriage certificate still acts their legal name change document.

[Beautifulday 16]

EAD won't be in your maiden name. You should get a SSN as soon as you get to the States so it will have to be in your maiden name.

I thought that Social security number is given to me at the time of receiving my EAD? so i can apply for it as soon as i arrive, even before filling for EAD and AOS?

[PerditaD 35]

Yes. Just print your I-94 and bring your passport with you, that's all you need

I thought that Social security number is given to me at the time of receiving my EAD? so i can apply for it as soon as i arrive, even before filling for EAD and AOS?

[Beautifulday 16]

Yes. Just print your I-94 and bring your passport with you, that's all you need

Ok, can you tell me what this SSN will do for me though? I mean, I won't be able to work yet or do anything really, so what can I do with the SSN alone? Can I get a bank account?

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I wonder what that's like in IL. I did too think that I will need to write which name I will be going by. So in the states that don't ask you that you automatically "inherit" your fiance's lastname, right? Haha I wonder what do you have to do if you want to keep your name. I don't, but it is crazy how different things are in different states!

What about if I want to open up a bank account, my only ID at the time is my passport, with my family name in it. What can I do then? Open up that account using my family name and then change it after I get a new ID?

Yes, you can just begin using your husband's name. If someone did not want to change their name, then they just would keep using their same name as always.

You can open an account in your maiden name, or you can use your marriage certificate as proof of name change, and see if the bank will allow it without having any ID in your married name yet. If they don't allow it, just change it after you have ID in your married name.

[PerditaD 35]

I needed a SSN to open a joint bank account with my husband and also to add my name to the apartment lease. Also, when I went to see the doctor, they asked for my SSN too.

Ok, can you tell me what this SSN will do for me though? I mean, I won't be able to work yet or do anything really, so what can I do with the SSN alone? Can I get a bank account?

[Beautifulday 16]

Yes, you can just begin using your husband's name. If someone did not want to change their name, then they just would keep using their same name as always.

You can open an account in your maiden name, or you can use your marriage certificate as proof of name change, and see if the bank will allow it without having any ID in your married name yet. If they don't allow it, just change it after you have ID in your married name.

Will I need the SSN to open up my own bank account? And should I get my SSN before filing for AOS/EAD/AP or does that not matter

[Beautifulday 16]

I needed a SSN to open a joint bank account with my husband and also to add my name to the apartment lease. Also, when I went to see the doctor, they asked for my SSN too.

If my (still) fiance has his own bank account, can i be added to it and that will be with a joint bank account is?

[PerditaD 35]

To be honest, I don't know, I know there are joint accounts and linked accounts. We opened a joint one because I know they want to see that at AOS interview (if we have one). Maybe someone who knows more about this can answer your question. I think you need a SSN for any kind of bank account, but I'm not 100% sure. Also, my husband wouldn't have been able to add me to his health insurance plan and as his dependent at work if I didn't have a SSN.

If my (still) fiance has his own bank account, can i be added to it and that will be with a joint bank account is?

[Beautifulday 16]

To be honest, I don't know, I know there are joint accounts and linked accounts. We opened a joint one because I know they want to see that at AOS interview (if we have one). Maybe someone who knows more about this can answer your question. I think you need a SSN for any kind of bank account, but I'm not 100% sure. Also, my husband wouldn't have been able to add me to his health insurance plan and as his dependent at work if I didn't have a SSN.

Ok i see, hopefully someone else can answer me this! We can always open up a joint one but i thought it would be best to have a joint one made out of his own cause that is where his checks go to. Do you guys do anything with that joint account? put money on and take money from it etc?

My situation is worse I think, I don't think my fiance can add me to his health insurance plan at all.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Will I need the SSN to open up my own bank account? And should I get my SSN before filing for AOS/EAD/AP or does that not matter

I would go ahead and get the SSN right after you enter the US. It is not required for filing AOS, but it would be good to have in case any bank or insurance companies want an SSN. SSN is asked for a lot here in the US.

[PerditaD 35]

I believe that is possible too, I just don't know how exactly it works.

My husband has direct deposits of his checks to his account then he transfers the money to our joint account, which is now our main account. We pay the rent and all utilities with it and also use it to buy groceries or anything else. He'll probably split direct deposits between his account and our joint account to avoid paying account maintenance fees

Ok i see, hopefully someone else can answer me this! We can always open up a joint one but i thought it would be best to have a joint one made out of his own cause that is where his checks go to. Do you guys do anything with that joint account? put money on and take money from it etc?

My situation is worse I think, I don't think my fiance can add me to his health insurance plan at all.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Some banks allow things others do not. Mine would not allow my husband to be added to my account because it contained a checking account with debit/credit/check card. We opened a separate joint savings account until he had his green card, then we closed that account and they added him as joint on my already existing one. I found it all silly, but I had been with my bank, which is actually a local credit union, and they have low fees and I had been happy with them for everything else.

I used the statements from that first joint savings account when filing for ROC so there were no gaps in our co-mingling of finances evidence. Seemed to work fine.

[Beautifulday 16]

Thanks guys. And do they grant u a SSN immediately or u have to wait?