SS office won't change wife's name..is it necessary?

[waveforms 0]

We are trying to follow this flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

but we got married before applying for social security card. They gave us a little trouble at Social Security office (seemed confused) but they did issue my wife a card in her Maiden name. We got the card on friday so we went to SS office today to change the name. They say that the K1 visa is no good anymore because she is now married and we have to now go to the USCIS office to get her name changed there first!!

I see that many people here say they changed the name on the SS number quite easily. Is it different in different states? Is it because we are getting close to expiration date? She entered the country on jan 15.

Is a change of name even necessary at this point? Can we do the AoS using her maiden name and then change her name later? I read in this forum that the Philippine government is expecting the name change (traditional) but is this a huge obstacle?

Thanks in adance

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Phil. Regional Forum to SSN Forum~

~Inquiry about SSN~

[Lainie B 465]

File the AOS using her married name. Then when she gets her EAD or green card, go back to the SSA office and get the name changed on her social security card.

The social security card is not the official name change document, the marriage certificate is.

[Zedayn 485]

We are trying to follow this flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

but we got married before applying for social security card. They gave us a little trouble at Social Security office (seemed confused) but they did issue my wife a card in her Maiden name. We got the card on friday so we went to SS office today to change the name. They say that the K1 visa is no good anymore because she is now married and we have to now go to the USCIS office to get her name changed there first!!

I see that many people here say they changed the name on the SS number quite easily. Is it different in different states? Is it because we are getting close to expiration date? She entered the country on jan 15.

Is a change of name even necessary at this point? Can we do the AoS using her maiden name and then change her name later? I read in this forum that the Philippine government is expecting the name change (traditional) but is this a huge obstacle?

Thanks in adance

It is a lot easier if you just write her new married name on all the AOS forms. Then, when you get the EAD, you can go back to the SSA and have her name changed then.

[Hank_ 9,174]

We are trying to follow this flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

but we got married before applying for social security card. They gave us a little trouble at Social Security office (seemed confused) but they did issue my wife a card in her Maiden name. We got the card on friday so we went to SS office today to change the name. They say that the K1 visa is no good anymore because she is now married and we have to now go to the USCIS office to get her name changed there first!!

I see that many people here say they changed the name on the SS number quite easily. Is it different in different states? Is it because we are getting close to expiration date? She entered the country on jan 15.

Is a change of name even necessary at this point? Can we do the AoS using her maiden name and then change her name later? I read in this forum that the Philippine government is expecting the name change (traditional) but is this a huge obstacle?

Thanks in adance

The ease of getting something done at SSA depends on the intelligence of the person behind the counter, in your case .... (the person at SSA was not very bright). When my asawa and I went to SSA we were lucky and got a guy that could make a 100w bulb glow, my wife had her SS card done in her married name two days after our wedding.

When you complete AOS complete all forms in your married name use traditional Philippines format (if you don't want to have issue later down the road when dealing with the Philippines)

[Greenbaum 12,259]

When you arrived in the US, then shortly after that you would have taken your BC, passport and I94 to SS. You should have filled out the SS-5 for application for SSN in your maiden name and present it along with your other documents. You should then receive your SSN in your maiden name in about 2 weeks if not sooner. Once you have that you can begin to apply and open a checking account or be added to your fiancé's account. You are not authorized to work till you receive your EAD (approx. 2 months after you apply).

After you get married then you do your AOS paperwork. When you get your EAD then return back to SS, with your marriage certificate showing your new name (First name, Maiden Name and Husband's Last Name; by doing it this way you will eliminate problems with the Phil Govt.) Now you are able to begin looking and accepting work using your new SSC (same number as old, but authorized to work).

Those are the steps.

Edited March 16, 2015 by Greenbaum

[waveforms 0]

excellent answers. Thanks again forum members.

[the_poledancer_RN 12]

Hi! Pls do not believe them, im in the same situation as you but i didnt have any problems changing my ssn and my state id to my married name.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hi! Pls do not believe them, im in the same situation as you but i didnt have any problems changing my ssn and my state id to my married name.

So, let me know if I understand your reasoning. She had problems with getting her SSN, and you say don't believe "them" (don't know who "them" is but I will go along) because it didn't happen to you. mmmmm

[KHnTX 4]

That is the way it is supposed to work, but SSA is full of people who are about as capable of holding water as a strainer. Twice we have been in there to get my wife's card changed and have gotten receipts both times, once after EAD and other after GC, and they still have not sent her new card. The fourth week just ended after our last visit so she is going to call tomorrow and find out what the deal is. Her friend two streets over got her's after one week, go figure.

[PogWan 6]

I understand your frustration, OP. Your wife is in an immigration limbo area right now. I'm just coming out of the same thing with my wife. We got her new ssn with her married name in the mail this morning. It's confusing because some places like doctors offices and banks will not recognize her married name until she has an ID showing it, but her insurance is under her married name. We had to carry her passport, ssn, and copies of the marriage certificate everywhere to clear up name confusion. This will pass. I agree with the others to wait until she gets her EAD. That's what made things work for us.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

I have a question for you and I was wondering if your wife has passed the 90 day mark of being in the USA?

[CowBoE 429]

SSA office & staff are so inconsistent in their answers and handling.

My wife got her SSC in 5 days before the marriage,

but our attempt to change the last name failed twice...though they took the application,

and on 3rd attempt, they told us to come back after getting EAD or GC.

So we applied again to have her last name changed 17 days ago,

and still waiting for the new SS card.

[Dashinka 24,519]

My wife had almost the same exact situation occur as Duality's wife. The initial SSC based on her I94 in her maiden name showed up in no time. We applied for a name change in January with her EAD, and just yesterday received the notice that the new card will be coming shortly. I called on it a couple of times, but was always told the application was "pending". It seemed like the delay was the SSO getting conformation from the DHS of the validity of the EAD. Also, in Michigan, we could not change the name on the state ID without a SSC in my wife's married name.