SO confused...Social Security Number

[B-2-Z 37]

Hi All!

I entered the US on a k-1 visa in March, and we're getting ready to file AOS....We're super confused about the whole SSN process... I will be changing my last name, and want to file the AOS in my new name as I've read that's easier...

So my question is...Do I apply for a SSN in my maiden name? Or can I just go and apply for one in my married name since I've never held one before?

Thanks in advance!

[dasha&drew 1]

I got an SSN and stated my new name (with my husband's last name as mine) in it. It only took a week for them to mail me a SSN card. After that, I have applied for AOS

[B-2-Z 37]

Awesome, thanks Dasha & Drew!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

It will depend on whether or not you get a competent SSA worker. Some of them don't know how to do their own jobs and want to see US government ID, such as the EAD card, in married name before they will issue the SSN. Some have even said getting married mean you are now a K-3.

To avoid hassles, you can apply for the SSN in your maiden name and then get it changed to your married name once you have the EAD/AP or green card in married name.

And just so you know, you do not need the SSN before applying for AOS.

[CowBoE 429]

Hi All!

I entered the US on a k-1 visa in March, and we're getting ready to file AOS....We're super confused about the whole SSN process... I will be changing my last name, and want to file the AOS in my new name as I've read that's easier...

So my question is...Do I apply for a SSN in my maiden name? Or can I just go and apply for one in my married name since I've never held one before?

Thanks in advance!

If you are not married yet, then hurry up and apply for SS card with your maiden name.

If you are married already, very likely they will not issue you a SS card

until you get your EAD or Green card.

Regardless of what you did with SS card application,

you can apply for AOS with married name after getting married.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

You can still apply for the SSN in maiden name, even if you married already. You just cannot apply using the K-1/I-94 if you have less than 2 weeks left before the I-94 expires.

[Al422 221]

Here is the thing: To apply for your SS without having your green card first, you need to apply in your maiden name. The reason is that you need something to back up the name you file under. For your married name, only a green card is going to back you up, which means no SS for you until you get your green card.

To get your SS number without a green card, you need to apply under your maiden name because the only thing that will back you up then is your I-94 arrival record. To do this, first of all it must be your real name and it must be in the first 75 days after your arrival.

[kitthekat 1,317]

Here is the thing: To apply for your SS without having your green card first, you need to apply in your maiden name. The reason is that you need something to back up the name you file under. For your married name, only a green card is going to back you up, which means no SS for you until you get your green card.

To get your SS number without a green card, you need to apply under your maiden name because the only thing that will back you up then is your I-94 arrival record. To do this, first of all it must be your real name and it must be in the first 75 days after your arrival.

the marriage certificate is sufficient proof of name change, as long as there is still more than 2 weeks validity left on the I-94.

some SSA officers are less competent than others and may not be willing to issue an SSN to a K1 in the new married name based on the marriage cert, but that is a different matter. in that case, you might want to speak to the officer's supervisor, or try a different office entirely.

if someone missed the 90 days less 2 weeks period to apply for the SSN, they can apply in married name once they receive the EAD. no need to wait for the green card at all.

[Dashinka 24,519]

the marriage certificate is sufficient proof of name change, as long as there is still more than 2 weeks validity left on the I-94.

some SSA officers are less competent than others and may not be willing to issue an SSN to a K1 in the new married name based on the marriage cert, but that is a different matter. in that case, you might want to speak to the officer's supervisor, or try a different office entirely.

if someone missed the 90 days less 2 weeks period to apply for the SSN, they can apply in married name once they receive the EAD. no need to wait for the green card at all.

I agree in theory that the marriage certificate should be enough to verify a name change at SSA. In practice this seems to be unknown to the SSA. Going to another office is not always possible as they are not that plentiful. In my wife's case, we tried that at our local office even talking to a supervisor, then finally gave up and had the card issued in her maiden name which matched her passport and I94. We had to go back two more times to get the name changed and remove the valid for work only conditions once she got her EAD and GC, but that was easier than driving a few hundred miles to another office.

If one is lucky, they will get a knowledgable SSA employee, but otherwise they need to decide how to make this as painless as possible.

Good Luck.

[kitthekat 1,317]

I agree in theory that the marriage certificate should be enough to verify a name change at SSA. In practice this seems to be unknown to the SSA. Going to another office is not always possible as they are not that plentiful. In my wife's case, we tried that at our local office even talking to a supervisor, then finally gave up and had the card issued in her maiden name which matched her passport and I94. We had to go back two more times to get the name changed and remove the valid for work only conditions once she got her EAD and GC, but that was easier than driving a few hundred miles to another office.

If one is lucky, they will get a knowledgable SSA employee, but otherwise they need to decide how to make this as painless as possible.

Good Luck.

i agree that in practice, not all SSA employees are familiar with their job, as kay also mentioned earlier. however, i was correcting what an earlier poster said, that one cannot get an ssn in married name without the green card. there are many who have done this with just the marriage certificate and more who have done it once the EAD card arrived.

the GC is required to remove the "valid for work only with DHS authorization" conditions.

[B-2-Z 37]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I guess we got lucky in the small town we went to yesterday(Jamestown, ND) The lady helping us was fantastic. She put it through in my maiden name, it should be issued this morning, and she got me to fill out the paperwork to change it to my married name, which she's going to submit today. Then when they see the name change, I'll be issued the one in my married name.

Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it!

[Sunnyland 639]

Here is the thing: To apply for your SS without having your green card first, you need to apply in your maiden name. The reason is that you need something to back up the name you file under. For your married name, only a green card is going to back you up, which means no SS for you until you get your green card.

To get your SS number without a green card, you need to apply under your maiden name because the only thing that will back you up then is your I-94 arrival record. To do this, first of all it must be your real name and it must be in the first 75 days after your arrival.

I was able to apply for SSN with my EAD and have it done under my married name. I brought my passport, my EAD and my marriage certificate. You dont need to have your GC to apply under your married name. OP, make sure you bring your passport and marriage certificate. If your i94 is expired by when you apply for ssn, you will have to wait til you get your EAD in hand.

Edit: I did my SSN in the fort lauderdale office.

Edited April 21, 2015 by Sunnyland