SSN before or after marriage?

[J and A 1]

Hey everyone!

My fiance is on a plane right now, due to enter the US in just a few hours! We submitted our I-129F in April 2014 and he's entering with his shiny new K-1 visa today!

We are planning on getting married at the courthouse next week (crazy I know) so we can do it while my family is in town. I don't think this leaves us enough time to get his SSN before the ceremony. Anyone know if this is going to be a problem?

I suppose we could push back our simple courthouse marriage if it's going to be an issue (big wedding is planned for May so we are fairly flexible for this official legal ceremony in January).

Will we have a problem if we try to get his Social Security Number AFTER we get married?

Thanks in advance

-A and J

[slangofoil 50]

He doesn't need an SSN to get married. He should be able to apply for it a few days after entering, but if he doesn't have it before the wedding it doesn't matter. If the marriage license asks for an SSN just leave it blank.

[Enigma23 68]

From Hillsborough County Website:

http://www.hillsclerk.com/publicweb/marriage_license.aspx

What is needed to get a marriage license?

Both parties must provide proof of the following: Age: both parties must be at least 18 years of age. Identification: in the form of a valid driver's license, state ID or passport. U.S. citizens must provide their Social Security Number. Non-citizens may provide a Social Security Number or an Alien Registration Number issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. An application form must be completed. If either party has been previously married, you must note on the application how and when the marriage ended. The nonrefundable fee for the marriage license is $93.50. This fee is reduced to $61.00 for Florida residents who have completed a premarital preparation course with a qualified registered course provider.

[_Paul&Jesica_ 70]

Apply for SSN prior to marriage is easier, but if you apply after marriage, apply in the name on the I-94, not married name. As I-94 is now electronic, apply about 3 days after arriving to US. Then after AOS is filed and EAD is received, go back to SSA and change name to married name. It is a bit of a hassle, but the reason is that married name is not verifiable in SAVE until at least after EAD is produced.

[Pitaya 2,577]

accessible at the top of the forum page. In particular, the K1 Flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

[TBoneTX 45,298]

Going ahead and moving this thread from the K-1 Process forum to the Social Security Numbers subforum -- query involves a step after use of the visa.

[J and A 1]

Thanks guys! I've read and re-read the guides, websites and done the research... I'm here posting to get some personal opinions and feedback on which order makes things easier. Looks like it doesn't matter too much if we get his SSN first... but thanks to Paul&Jesica for some good insight.

[Darnell 8,478]

soon to be spouse is a male? right? no name change worries.

I say do it as soon as possible, as it makes it easier to participate in USA Society.