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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I'm new to all of this. I though I'd post this and see if anyone else has had problems with this as well, or if anyone has any other advice. I am having difficulty in getting a SSN card and Alabama state drivers license in my new married name. The drivers license seems to be needed everywhere to change my name elsewhere. And the SSN is needed to get a drivers license, as well as apply for credit card under new name.

I arrived in the US from Canada on a K1 visa on March 25,2016. On May 5th, we were married at the courthouse, and were able to receive our marriage certificate the same day. The next day we went to the Social Security office to apply for a card, but they said that since I'm in the system on my maiden name, they could only issue it in that name. They said to come back after I receive the card in the mail, bring that and my marriage certificate, and then they can change it to the married name.

In the meantime, while waiting, I had also received my I-797C (receipt notice) from immigration regarding my adjustment of status application. So I brought that in as well with all my other documents on my second visit. Now I'm being told they could not change it to my married name until I have a state drivers license in the new name. I asked to speak to a supervisor. I explain to him that I'm being batted back and forth between the DMV and the Social Security office. Each office is saying I need the other in the new name first. I showed him all my papers. The recent I-797C is even addressed to me in my new married name. This supervisor says they cannot process my name change until I have a green card.

The next day, I tried the DMV again. My husband and I had talked with a state trooper previously at the DMV office explaining to him my situation and which documents I had, and we were told that once I receive the notice that I had applied for adjustment of status, and I should be able get a drivers license in my new name. It was an all day wait at the DMV. When I finally saw someone, she said I could not get a drivers license until my SSN was correct. I told her what we were told on our previous visit. She went to talk to the state trooper, which was a different guy that day, and she came back and said she can issue me a license, but it will be in my maiden name. I need to have the SSN corrected to my new name before they can issue me a drivers license that name. So I was able to finally get an Alabama drivers license, but it is still in my old name.

I have been told to try to get my passport name updated, and that it might help. I have looked into that, but besides having the marriage certificate, they also require me to have ID in my new name before they will issue me a passport in my new name.

I don't know if there is anything else I can do, other than wait for a green card, and get my name changed then. It seems like an awfully long time to wait in order to change your name. I'm going to get an EAD before the green card. Do you think I should try going to the Social Security office with that and maybe get someone that would accept that?

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Hungary
Timeline
Posted (edited)

EAD should work. I am assuming it will be in your married name.

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

Choose Adult/corrected/non-citizen

EAD is listed for identity/immigration status. For name change I suppose EAD in new name + marriage certificate should work.

Edited by EM_Vandaveer

Entry on VWP to visit then-boyfriend 06/13/2011

Married 06/24/2011

Our first son was born 10/31/2012, our daughter was born 06/30/2014, our second son was born 06/20/2017

AOS Timeline

AOS package mailed 09/06/2011 (Chicago Lockbox)

AOS package signed for by R Mercado 09/07/2011

Priority date for I-485&I-130 09/08/2011

Biometrics done 10/03/2011

Interview letter received 11/18/2011

INTERVIEW DATE!!!! 12/20/2011

Approval e-mail 12/21/2011

Card production e-mail 12/27/2011

GREEN CARD ARRIVED 12/31/2011

Resident since 12/21/2011

ROC Timeline

ROC package mailed to VSC 11/22/2013

NOA1 date 11/26/2013

Biometrics date 12/26/2013

Transfer notice to CSC 03/14/2014

Change of address 03/27/2014

Card production ordered 04/30/2014

10-YEAR GREEN CARD ARRIVED 05/06/2014

N-400 Timeline

N-400 package mailed 09/30/2014

N-400 package delivered 10/01/2014

NOA1 date 10/20/2014

Biometrics date 11/14/2014

Early walk-in biometrics 11/12/2014

In-line for interview 11/23/2014

Interview letter 03/18/2015

Interview date 04/17/2015 ("Decision cannot yet be made.")

In-line for oath scheduling 05/04/2015

Oath ceremony letter dated 05/11/2015

Oath ceremony 06/02/2015

I am a United States citizen!

Posted

Agreed. You need the EAD.

We post a lot on here about getting your SSN in Visa name and then changing it afterward to avoid the SSN issue you're having.

Many states won't even give you a driver's license without EAD or GC or another document showing your legal residency in the USA.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

Posted

I am confused as to why SSA needs your driver's license in your married name in order to change your SSN. I changed my SSN name before I even got my state driver's license, and I used only my marriage certificate.

Adjustment of Status from H-1B, Family-Based
07/26/2012 - 10/18/2012: 85 Days from Application Received to GC Received.
Removal of Conditions
07/22/2014 - 11/14/2014: 116 Days from Application Received to GC Received.
Naturalization
02/03/2016 - 05/31/2016 : 119 Days from Application Received to Oath Ceremony.

I am a United States citizen!

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I don't think they do. I don't think the guy working there was telling me the correct information. But the DMV in Alabama requires your drivers license to be in the same name as your SSN. I cannot get the SS office to change my name with my marriage certificate or even the proof from immigration that I've applied for adjustment of status in my new married name. I don't know if it's a state thing or if things have just changed since. But it's a big headache.

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

I don't think they do. I don't think the guy working there was telling me the correct information. But the DMV in Alabama requires your drivers license to be in the same name as your SSN. I cannot get the SS office to change my name with my marriage certificate or even the proof from immigration that I've applied for adjustment of status in my new married name. I don't know if it's a state thing or if things have just changed since. But it's a big headache.

The problem is too many people don't have a clue as to what they are doing.

SSA is Federal and the requirements are the same everywhere. You only need the docs that you used to get your original SS Card and your marriage certificate to change your SS Card to your married name.

I totally understand your frustration but be forewarned that, sadly, it can get even more frustrating in the future.

N-400

Feb. 12, 2016 - Sent N-400 to USCIS (3-year rule)

Feb. 19, 2016 - NOA1

Mar. 14, 2016 - Biometrics

June 2, 2016 - Interview - Recommended for Approval

.

.

.

Posted

Alabama. Nuff said. Lol

Fyi my Hubs was born and raised there, and i think it's a nice state, but theres no denying it can be backwards down there. But I've been to worse too. ;)

Can you try another SSA office?

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

 
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