Bit Challenging to Change SS Card Name

[CowBoE 429]

So, we got the social security fairly quick for my fiancee,

and after marriage, we went back to change the name,

and the staff says the her information is not showing up on Homeland Security site,

and that they have to run some check first, which could take up to 4 weeks.

In the meanwhile, he took a copy of her passport, I-94, and marriage certificate,

and after 7 working days later, we receive a letter from SS office that

they also need marriage license (vs. marriage certificate).

Also the instruction says to call certain person to coordinate sending the document to him,

but he never answers the phone and doesn't not return the voicemail I left with him.

Therefore, I have no choice but to take some time off from work, and go there in person.

It takes about 2 to 3 hours of waiting usually, so I'm planning on arriving there

1/2 hour before so that I can be first in line.

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As a side note, while trying to add her to my health insurance, they also challenged me to

provide more evidence such as joint mortgage, utility bills, etc. Well, heck, she just got here

and we don't have any of those other than the marriage certificate, SS card, and

joint bank account. And I'm not about to go through the trouble to change all mortgage,

utility, etc. to be joint names...but may be I have to do some of them for Adjustment of Status filing later.

Anyway, in the end, I reached out to my HR benefits manager friend,

and once she called the insurance company, they were able to add her to the insurance on the spot.

Opening a joint bank account was same thing. He didn't think he could do it,

until I told him I will open it at another bank, then he escalated the call to the headquarter

and got the OK to open the account with just her passport ID. They wanted to see some

picture ID with our home address on it, and she ain't got one of those. The first one she will get

is the EAD card, and then the driver's license.

Just sharing the experience, so that those that are just behind me in processing can

perhaps benefit and prepare better.

[googolplex 7]

Thanks a lot for the info. I am sure i will encounter similar issues sooner or later.

[CowBoE 429]

Thanks a lot for the info. I am sure i will encounter similar issues sooner or later.

After failing to get through on the phone number they specified in the letter,

we went to the SS office again.

After waiting couple of hours, our number was called,

and we showed the same documents all over again,

which they copied (again).

The clerk told us they were missing the original marriage certificate,

which they made the copy last time, and in the letter it said, they were missing

"marriage license".

In any case, they got copies of everything they need and told us that

they will have to forward the documents to the California immigration office (?)

to get it validated, which can take about 20 working days.

Once the SS office receives the approval, then they will issue the new SS card.

So to get the updated card may take 3 to 6 weeks I think...

I'm not sure if there was any better way to get this done.