Refused SSN now after just getting married

[floriferous 2]

1 minute ago, Ksenia_O said:

I would try another SS Office... without bringing a Marriage License with you  

Yeah that was my thought too

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

5 minutes ago, floriferous said:

Hi. Wow. I stepped away for 30 mins and wasnt expecting such a rife discussion! Thanks.

 

I'm a man so my name didn't change. The only reason I think it was only raised as an issue was because I went there with my wife who did have to change her name so we presented the marriage certificate. I do wonder if I had gone on my own whether they would have just processed it.

 

I agree I am still a K-1 holder so should be entitled. Nothing on paper has changed

Some ppl have been told they are now a "K3" because it says in their table that aK3 is a spouse of a USC and not allowed to work. This just means that they don't understand immigration. It's a ridiculous notion that you all of a sudden would have another visa... lol since a visa is an entry document... 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Let us know how it goes

[floriferous 2]

11 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

Let us know how it goes

Will do

[Dutchster 1,107]

Someone I know tried the same thing as you a few weeks ago. She went back a day later to apply for a SSN in her maiden name and got it. Hopefully it works out for ya, good luck.

[Elvis&Sky 26]

It happened to me too! Me and my wife went to the social security building in our city a week after we got married and applied for my SSN, we got the same answer they gave you, in our case the lady upfront was a little bit rude and didn't take a word from my wife to explain our situation, so we left and decided to try in another city nearby, this time as soon as the person upfront knew we already got married she didn't know how to proceed and had to call her superior, they gave her the same answer, once you get married you have to wait for the aos to apply for a SSN, but she was kind enough to submit my application since the only requirements you need is a lawful entry to the US, a valid visa that allows you to get a ssn and passport, so maybe if you try in another office with some luck you'll get it.

[JFH 12,191]

Just wanted to chip in with my experience. 

 

I have been in the US since December 19 and became an LPR immediately upon arrival (IR-1 visa - spouse married longer than 2 years). It has been very frustrating dealing with official organizations because so many employees do not have a clue about the status of immigrants. 

I went to open a basic checking account at a very big bank. I don't normally like big banks and would prefer to use a smaller credit union or something but so many smaller banks would not let me open an account because they didn't understand my status here. I started work 2 weeks after I arrived and my SSN hadn't arrived by the time I started work but I wanted to open a bank account asap as I was being charged overseas fees every time I used my U.K. debit card. At the bank they were adamant that I'm not a resident because I don't have my plastic green card yet. I showed my endorsed IR-1 that says "upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551...". I'm in the suburbs of Seattle and I can't believe I'm the first immigrant they have dealt with. They wanted me to sign the form that says I'm an overseas taxpayer. I'm not! I showed that I work here (and I work for a huge global organization with over 50,000 employees worldwide - they are not in the business of hiring people illegally) but they were adamant that without a plastic green card I'm not a resident. I was told "when your immigration status changes..." I pointed out that the only change that can now happen to my immigration status is to take citizenship. I don't even need to remove conditions as my green card (when it finally comes in the mail) will be a 10-year one. My immigration status will not change when I get the plastic green card. The clerk who dealt with me spoke with a strong accent and told me she also went through the immigration process to get here so I said to her "so you must know that an IR-1 holder is an LPR on arrival". She said "no you're not". I gave up. They also said that they wouldn't be able to send anything such as my debit card to my address here as I'm not a resident. They wanted to send everything to the address on my U.K. driving license. Even though that house has been sold. I even had a copy of our lease with me. 

 

At the DMV I must have got the most incompetent employee ever. She looked at my passport that says "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" on the front cover. She asked where I was from. I said "the U.K.". She said "so why does your passport say 'British citizen'. Are you from the U.K. or Great Britain?" I said "both - it's essentially the same thing. Great Britain is part of the U.K.". I thought I'd make it simple "just like you are from Washington but also from the USA. Washington is part of the USA". She was even more confused. She said "I don't have Great Britain on my list. Only United Kingdom". I said "great! I'm from the United Kingdom". She then looked at my IR-1 and saw "expires 17 May 2017" and assumed I was only here until then. "So you don't live here permanently then? You're only here until May? I need proof that you are a resident here". I pointed to the remark on my visa that states "once endorsed..." and we eventually got that cleared up. She then asked if I was comfortable taking the knowledge test in English and whether I was from an English-speaking county. My husband had to walk away before he burst into laughter and embarrassed her. The couple behind me were clutching Chinese passports so I don't know how they fared with this employee.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 hour ago, JFH said:

Just wanted to chip in with my experience. 

 

I have been in the US since December 19 and became an LPR immediately upon arrival (IR-1 visa - spouse married longer than 2 years). It has been very frustrating dealing with official organizations because so many employees do not have a clue about the status of immigrants. 

I went to open a basic checking account at a very big bank. I don't normally like big banks and would prefer to use a smaller credit union or something but so many smaller banks would not let me open an account because they didn't understand my status here. I started work 2 weeks after I arrived and my SSN hadn't arrived by the time I started work but I wanted to open a bank account asap as I was being charged overseas fees every time I used my U.K. debit card. At the bank they were adamant that I'm not a resident because I don't have my plastic green card yet. I showed my endorsed IR-1 that says "upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551...". I'm in the suburbs of Seattle and I can't believe I'm the first immigrant they have dealt with. They wanted me to sign the form that says I'm an overseas taxpayer. I'm not! I showed that I work here (and I work for a huge global organization with over 50,000 employees worldwide - they are not in the business of hiring people illegally) but they were adamant that without a plastic green card I'm not a resident. I was told "when your immigration status changes..." I pointed out that the only change that can now happen to my immigration status is to take citizenship. I don't even need to remove conditions as my green card (when it finally comes in the mail) will be a 10-year one. My immigration status will not change when I get the plastic green card. The clerk who dealt with me spoke with a strong accent and told me she also went through the immigration process to get here so I said to her "so you must know that an IR-1 holder is an LPR on arrival". She said "no you're not". I gave up. They also said that they wouldn't be able to send anything such as my debit card to my address here as I'm not a resident. They wanted to send everything to the address on my U.K. driving license. Even though that house has been sold. I even had a copy of our lease with me. 

 

At the DMV I must have got the most incompetent employee ever. She looked at my passport that says "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" on the front cover. She asked where I was from. I said "the U.K.". She said "so why does your passport say 'British citizen'. Are you from the U.K. or Great Britain?" I said "both - it's essentially the same thing. Great Britain is part of the U.K.". I thought I'd make it simple "just like you are from Washington but also from the USA. Washington is part of the USA". She was even more confused. She said "I don't have Great Britain on my list. Only United Kingdom". I said "great! I'm from the United Kingdom". She then looked at my IR-1 and saw "expires 17 May 2017" and assumed I was only here until then. "So you don't live here permanently then? You're only here until May? I need proof that you are a resident here". I pointed to the remark on my visa that states "once endorsed..." and we eventually got that cleared up. She then asked if I was comfortable taking the knowledge test in English and whether I was from an English-speaking county. My husband had to walk away before he burst into laughter and embarrassed her. The couple behind me were clutching Chinese passports so I don't know how they fared with this employee.

ok.. I know this must have been an ordeal..but ... That was hilarious!!

[floriferous 2]

Got my SSN form processed with a different SSA office. The guy was nice and simply processed it without issue. Thanks for everyone's help here

 

 

JFH, that is frustrating and also hilarious. I'm finding a few issues with people not understanding my English accent. I had a Mexican waiter try to correct my pronunciation of the word, 'water' in faltering English. That was a special moment. 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

7 minutes ago, floriferous said:

Got my SSN form processed with a different SSA office. The guy was nice and simply processed it without issue. Thanks for everyone's help here

 

 

JFH, that is frustrating and also hilarious. I'm finding a few issues with people not understanding my English accent. I had a Mexican waiter try to correct my pronunciation of the word, 'water' in faltering English. That was a special moment. 

Glad to hear it worked out

[pantonia 39]

On 2/14/2017 at 9:22 AM, JFH said:

Just wanted to chip in with my experience. 

 

I have been in the US since December 19 and became an LPR immediately upon arrival (IR-1 visa - spouse married longer than 2 years). It has been very frustrating dealing with official organizations because so many employees do not have a clue about the status of immigrants. 

I went to open a basic checking account at a very big bank. I don't normally like big banks and would prefer to use a smaller credit union or something but so many smaller banks would not let me open an account because they didn't understand my status here. I started work 2 weeks after I arrived and my SSN hadn't arrived by the time I started work but I wanted to open a bank account asap as I was being charged overseas fees every time I used my U.K. debit card. At the bank they were adamant that I'm not a resident because I don't have my plastic green card yet. I showed my endorsed IR-1 that says "upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551...". I'm in the suburbs of Seattle and I can't believe I'm the first immigrant they have dealt with. They wanted me to sign the form that says I'm an overseas taxpayer. I'm not! I showed that I work here (and I work for a huge global organization with over 50,000 employees worldwide - they are not in the business of hiring people illegally) but they were adamant that without a plastic green card I'm not a resident. I was told "when your immigration status changes..." I pointed out that the only change that can now happen to my immigration status is to take citizenship. I don't even need to remove conditions as my green card (when it finally comes in the mail) will be a 10-year one. My immigration status will not change when I get the plastic green card. The clerk who dealt with me spoke with a strong accent and told me she also went through the immigration process to get here so I said to her "so you must know that an IR-1 holder is an LPR on arrival". She said "no you're not". I gave up. They also said that they wouldn't be able to send anything such as my debit card to my address here as I'm not a resident. They wanted to send everything to the address on my U.K. driving license. Even though that house has been sold. I even had a copy of our lease with me. 

 

At the DMV I must have got the most incompetent employee ever. She looked at my passport that says "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" on the front cover. She asked where I was from. I said "the U.K.". She said "so why does your passport say 'British citizen'. Are you from the U.K. or Great Britain?" I said "both - it's essentially the same thing. Great Britain is part of the U.K.". I thought I'd make it simple "just like you are from Washington but also from the USA. Washington is part of the USA". She was even more confused. She said "I don't have Great Britain on my list. Only United Kingdom". I said "great! I'm from the United Kingdom". She then looked at my IR-1 and saw "expires 17 May 2017" and assumed I was only here until then. "So you don't live here permanently then? You're only here until May? I need proof that you are a resident here". I pointed to the remark on my visa that states "once endorsed..." and we eventually got that cleared up. She then asked if I was comfortable taking the knowledge test in English and whether I was from an English-speaking county. My husband had to walk away before he burst into laughter and embarrassed her. The couple behind me were clutching Chinese passports so I don't know how they fared with this employee.

Omg I was just browsing around VJ and found this comment and it is hilarious! It's somewhat comforting to know that such things happen to more people out there, at least I'm not alone. I didn't have any problem getting my SSN (two weeks after marriage, and I presented my Marriage License to change my name), but everything else since then has been a painful process. I had trouble opening my own bank account, being added to my husband's, being added to the car's insurance, getting my Driver's licence (the worst of all), and a long etc. The worse of it, is that everything was hard to do because the clerks at these places are not trained properly, and worse, when confronted with the possibility that they are wrong, they shut down and become rude! It's maddening trying to prove that you are right when they won't hear none of it. 

 

In the end, I got my driver's license somewhere else (after the first place processed me, took my money, made me go there 3 separate times, made me pass all the tests and THEN denied me without a refund), but I still wish I could go back to the other DMV and show them why they were wrong. They told me they had denied DLs before to K-1 holders before me, and I keep thinking at how many more will be going through these problems just because they don't know how to do their job, and worse, refuse to learn.