SSN SAVE verification name too long

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Hi VJers!

I'm growing increasingly annoyed and irritated the more I read about the following problem and I'm wondering if any of you have similar experiences and/or tips/advice.

This is the situation:

I applied for a SSN at the local office on Oct 28th. The lady was not able to input my name into SAVE because my first name didn't fit! In Sweden we are often given three first names, one of which (normally the 1st, sometimes the 2nd) is the name by which we are addressed.

My first name is therefore: Sxxxxxx Axxx Mxxxx

With spaces this makes 18 characters, and after much research I found that the SAVE only allows 16!!! Also doing this research I found that a lot of people from India, that have really long last names experience the same problem and I've seen this as far back as 2010!

I'm on the 6th week of the manual verification process and still no word. The SSA lady called USCIS and they confirmed the verification, BUT the lady insists she HAS to wait for the physical documents before she can issue my number cause "she doesn't want to lose her job". One of my issues is, there is no way for me to escalate this anywhere at all!

I've made an infopass appointment, don't think they can do anything and it's not until Dec 20th. If the office doing these verifications are SO BACKLOGGED that it takes this long to reply by mail, and the issue of long names has been around for over FIVE years, why don't they roll out a software update that allows more characters?? It truly baffles me!!??

My biggest concerns are now:

1. What happens if my i-94 expires while I'm waiting on this?

2. Is there anything AT ALL I can do to avoid the same scenario when I go to the DMV that also do a SAVE verification?

If get a job when I have my EAD I still won't be able to work if I can't get to work i.e. DRIVE, and I can't apply for license until I have EAD... so that would add additional MONTHS to the process of being able to work

If anything I don't understand why the DMV even has to this check, since they require a SSN to even apply and a requirement for DHS verification is therefore already "built into" the process. Seems like a terribly backwards system that just slows things down tremendously.

ACK!

Edited December 6, 2016 by Suss&Camm

[htfaust 131]

Hello!

I had the same problem as my last name was 4 words long.

The lady at SSA crammed it without spaces for the length of the field, and left off the letters that wouldn't fit. There's not much to do besides that.

I realized most American documents would only fit 1 first, 1 middle and 1 last names, so I decided to change my name at the marriage for this reason. It may be one option to consider, depending on how much you're attached to your names. If you decide to do it after marriage, you can always get a court order - in the US changing your name is a constitutionally protected right, so you don't have to give any reason or explain yourself in any way.

As you filed your Adjustment of Status already, while it's in process you're technically in "a period of stay authorized by the Attorney General", so you'll be OK regardless of your I-94 expiring. Don't need to worry about that.

On the DMV, you'll give them your EAD or Green Card, you can give a pointer to the person to look you up by your A-number, in that way there will be no confusions about names, I believe. That's what I got from reading other threads on VJ, but it's been a while since I did that.

Wish you the best on your journey!

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Thank you Faust for ur answer... I did look into the name change process but it's quite the process and more so at this stage...

I do think the lady at the SSA said she had to put in my name... does anyone know if this is so?

Also, my A-number is not on the i-94.. so it's not part of the immigration document I'm providing them... Do other ppl have their a-number on that document? I can't use my A-number for searching in SAVE case check only passport/i-94/verification numbers...

[htfaust 131]

Thank you Faust for ur answer... I did look into the name change process but it's quite the process and more so at this stage...

I do think the lady at the SSA said she had to put in my name... does anyone know if this is so?

Also, my A-number is not on the i-94.. so it's not part of the immigration document I'm providing them... Do other ppl have their a-number on that document? I can't use my A-number for searching in SAVE case check only passport/i-94/verification numbers...

You can use the I-94 at the SSA. I was talking about serving the A-number for the DMV (when you have EAD or GC). Be advised any driver license you get while on K-1 status will expire with the I-94 in most states.

Make sure your name on the I-94 is correct. If not, you need to go to the CBP deferred inspection site, that's what I did, to get it fixed. Then SSA can easily find you by the I-94 number, too. It's the method that was used when I applied for my SSN 2 days after POE.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

You can use the I-94 at the SSA. I was talking about serving the A-number for the DMV (when you have EAD or GC). Be advised any driver license you get while on K-1 status will expire with the I-94 in most states.

Make sure your name on the I-94 is correct. If not, you need to go to the CBP deferred inspection site, that's what I did, to get it fixed. Then SSA can easily find you by the I-94 number, too. It's the method that was used when I applied for my SSN 2 days after POE.

Thank you I will keep your tips in mind. The lady I spoke to didn't really seem to have a clue... when I came back again she asked me if I was married I told her yes I am NOW but I wasn't when I applied, and I'm applying under my maiden name since that's the most current immigration information. She was like "oh my goodness! But see I have to have a copy of your marriage certificate! I have to put that information in there!

I told her I'll be back to update once my most recent immigration documents reflect the name change... and she didn't seem to know what I meant at all... I was just feeling so helpless... lol

[htfaust 131]

Thank you I will keep your tips in mind. The lady I spoke to didn't really seem to have a clue... when I came back again she asked me if I was married I told her yes I am NOW but I wasn't when I applied, and I'm applying under my maiden name since that's the most current immigration information. She was like "oh my goodness! But see I have to have a copy of your marriage certificate! I have to put that information in there!

I told her I'll be back to update once my most recent immigration documents reflect the name change... and she didn't seem to know what I meant at all... I was just feeling so helpless... lol

Yeah, they usually know very little about immigration and sometimes about their own internal procedures too. It's very frustrating, but I'm praying you'll get it sorted out soon. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Update: today I got a call from the SSO that my paperwork is all in order and my SSC is issued and should be in the mail in 7-10 days.... phewww was starting to cut it close to the 14 days b4 i-94 expiration deadline.. 0.0

Even though I applied 9 days after POE... so for anyone reading.... apply asap after POE... your info will most likely be in the system already the day after POE, but IF like for me there is any other issue that might cause a level 3 SAVE verification you need the eXtra time.

Edited December 23, 2016 by Suss&Camm