Does K-1 Convert to K-3 at time of Marriage?

[Jonnyson 0]

Hello.

I just took my wife to get her Social Security card updated at the SS Office. She already has a card, but it has the "DHS AUTHORIZATION" limitation and her maiden name on it.

She is a Japanese Citizen. We completed the K-1 Visa Process, and were recently married. We have submitted for AOS, which is pending now.

Everywhere that I have read has told me that with her current I-94, and additional info (birth certificate, passport) we should be able to get her SS# since we are going through the K-1 Process.

However, the SS Office told us that as soon as we are married, she is no longer a K-1, and has become a K-3. The requirements to get a SS# update is a EAD card or green card.

Is this correct? Are we not able to use the I-94 (which is still valid for a whole month more) to get her SS# updated?

Please help

[Boiler 45,947]

On a K1 the very first thing you do is get your SSN, I have seen it argued that it is possible to get a SSN after marriage. It used to be the case this was not possible.

K1 and K3 are visa's to enter the US, so no longer relevant,

If she wants the annotation removed then she needs EAD.

[Jonnyson 0]

Thank you for the reply.

She already has a Social Security number. I need to get her name updated, and would also like to get the annotation removed. Are these 2 separate steps? I have read in multiple locations that a marriage certificate along with the I-94 are sufficient to make these changes. Is this wrong?

And, at the SS Office, whether a person is a K-1 or K-3 makes a difference to them.

[Darnell 8,479]

Convert to K-3 at time of Marriage? No. SSA Clerk is wrong.

I'll posit you two attempted to apply in a new 'married name' and there is no record of that name in the SAVE db system.

Instead, go back, withdraw any current app with a clerk,

then apply in VISA name, asking for a Name and A# lookup in the SAVE db system. Then go back the next day, get receipt on the number or learn of new problems. Going back the next day is crucial.

Later, when she has EAD or greencard in the new 'married name', get back to SSA and update their system with a clerk.

[Darnell 8,479]

Thank you for the reply.

She already has a Social Security number.

1. I need to get her name updated, and would also like to get the annotation removed.

2. Are these 2 separate steps?

3. I have read in multiple locations that a marriage certificate along with the I-94 are sufficient to make these changes. Is this wrong?

4. And, at the SS Office, whether a person is a K-1 or K-3 makes a difference to them.

1. need federal ID to make this happen, showing the new name, usually.

2. yes, a K-1 visa holder without any EAD or greencard cannot do either.

3. it depends on the timing, and what was done. Usually, a couple will get the # within a week of arrival, get married quickly, show up on day 24 past POE with a married cert, and then get the name changed. This is allowed to do, if a clerk knows how - but it requires that nasty DHS verification step, and can take 30 to 45 days. So, say the DHS report comes back before day 74 past POE, a clerk with issue the card in the new name, but still showing the DHS wording in the card.

4. Absolutely ! A K-1 visa holder is allowed to apply. A K-3 visa holder (without a greencard or EAD) is NOT allowed to apply.

I'll posit you took some information sideways and have gotten a useless SSA clerk.

When you go back , ask for the shift supervisor, apply in visa name - this only shows the new status with SSA , finally linked in with the SAVE db system.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Forget about the K-3. There is no conversion. Don't take immigration advice from the SSA (Seriously because this ain't the first time SSA has given bad immigration advice.).

Her Social Security Number is hers for life. It will not change.

To change her name, she will need her marriage certificate.

To remove the annotation, she needs to get US citizenship (in 3 years). A green card is the authorization for an LPR, so the annotation does apply.

[Darnell 8,479]

aaron - fwiw -

when folk had a ssn issued before day 74 of the POE date, it contained that annotation. Then when showing up with an EAD or green card, the annotation was removed. It made no sense to me, as the EAD or green card IS the DHS authorization, but there's been scads of reports about the annotation being removed, after.

[aaron2020 11,651]

aaron - fwiw -

when folk had a ssn issued before day 74 of the POE date, it contained that annotation. Then when showing up with an EAD or green card, the annotation was removed. It made no sense to me, as the EAD or green card IS the DHS authorization, but there's been scads of reports about the annotation being removed, after.

The annotation does not matter. People don't seem to get this.

[Darnell 8,479]

I know, right? Still, it's been listed a 'to do' in some of the country-regional sub-forums. IMO it's a waste of time.