Applying for SSN after marriage

[Absolutely 34]

I have just been to the SSA to apply for my social security number. I took all relevant paperwork, and the one question the lady asked me was "Are you already married?", so I answered I am. She then said the K1 visa is void once the marriage takes place and that we need to get a K3 visa for me to get the SSN, which I told her was not true. She then kept telling me to speak to immigration as I am not a K1 visa holder now.

 

I know she is wrong, but what do I do if this happens the next time I go back?

[GreatDane 366]

Bring printed material from USCIS or SSA that shows you are eligible for a SSN. You can also try to ask for a supervisor.

I would recommend going to a different office, if there is another office locally. Sometimes these misunderstandings are office-wide.

[Absolutely 34]

1 hour ago, GreatDane said:

Bring printed material from USCIS or SSA that shows you are eligible for a SSN. You can also try to ask for a supervisor.

I would recommend going to a different office, if there is another office locally. Sometimes these misunderstandings are office-wide.

 

Good idea. The last thing I want is to go back and the same thing happen. It appears other people have been told they are no long eligible once they are married, and being told to go on a K3 visa seems a common theme. I wonder where the SSA staff get that incorrect BS from?

 

There is another SSA across the river in Iowa, I will try there Friday and hopefully they will have more competent staff. Thank you for your reply

[GreatDane 366]

48 minutes ago, Absolutely said:

 

Good idea. The last thing I want is to go back and the same thing happen. It appears other people have been told they are no long eligible once they are married, and being told to go on a K3 visa seems a common theme. I wonder where the SSA staff get that incorrect BS from?

 

There is another SSA across the river in Iowa, I will try there Friday and hopefully they will have more competent staff. Thank you for your reply

Good luck! I hope it goes well. We managed to get a SSN without any issue in Seattle - The SSA needs to get their information together!

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Omg another one!! lol This truly is ridiculous... Getting another entry document when you have already entered?? really!!?? The stupidity! They have a USCIS phone number they can call toll free (for agencies using SAVE) and ask questions about the verification process. Look up the number and bring it. Tell them to call there and ask if it comes up again... and also yes, make sure to speak to a supervisor.  Good luck! Stand your ground! ( i know it can be hard)

Edited February 15, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[yuna628 9,697]

3 hours ago, Absolutely said:

I have just been to the SSA to apply for my social security number. I took all relevant paperwork, and the one question the lady asked me was "Are you already married?", so I answered I am. She then said the K1 visa is void once the marriage takes place and that we need to get a K3 visa for me to get the SSN, which I told her was not true. She then kept telling me to speak to immigration as I am not a K1 visa holder now.

 

I know she is wrong, but what do I do if this happens the next time I go back?

The individual is wrong. The K1 is technically ''expired'' the moment you entered the USA before any marriage at all - but your I94 is what gives you 90 days of stay time. The K1 doesn't even give you the ''right'' of marriage nor is it 'nullified' or 'activated' by the marriage per say - the right to marriage is in the domain of the state - and not even the K1 actually gives you that ''right''. The SSA does not belong giving you immigration advice. The SSA also has no right to deny you, until your I94 is within two weeks of expiry - otherwise you must wait to file AOS (with an EAD in your hand). So long as you are good on that requirement there is no reason for them to deny you. Read the SSA guide on this site and print out their own policy - bring that in, if she is there request a supervisor and show them their own policy. You can also try a different SSA office if you'd like.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

3 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

The individual is wrong. The K1 is technically ''expired'' the moment you entered the USA before any marriage at all - but your I94 is what gives you 90 days of stay time. The K1 doesn't even give you the ''right'' of marriage nor is it 'nullified' or 'activated' by the marriage per say - the right to marriage is in the domain of the state - and not even the K1 actually gives you that ''right''. The SSA does not belong giving you immigration advice. The SSA also has no right to deny you, until your I94 is within two weeks of expiry - otherwise you must wait to file AOS (with an EAD in your hand). So long as you are good on that requirement there is no reason for them to deny you. Read the SSA guide on this site and print out their own policy - bring that in, if she is there request a supervisor and show them their own policy. You can also try a different SSA office if you'd like.

Exactly! The only requirement is that they entered on that K1 and are within at least 14 days of the i-94 expiration. That gives the eligibility to the SSN. I don't understand how they are so stubborn, when so obviously wrong. 

[Ontarkie 14,369]

~~Moved to SSN from AOS FAmily~~

[Absolutely 34]

Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate your input.

 

I should have taken a deep breath and asked for a supervisor today, if this happens again, I will.

 

I just find it difficult to understand where the SSA staff are getting this myth that the K1 is invalidated and the immigrant must now go through the K3 stage. I will go armed with relevant information in case I am greeted by another incompetent worker.

 

Thanks again, everyone

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

2 hours ago, Absolutely said:

Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate your input.

 

I should have taken a deep breath and asked for a supervisor today, if this happens again, I will.

 

I just find it difficult to understand where the SSA staff are getting this myth that the K1 is invalidated and the immigrant must now go through the K3 stage. I will go armed with relevant information in case I am greeted by another incompetent worker.

 

Thanks again, everyone

I believe it's as easy as them misinterpreting their own table found here. They are reading "K1" as status of being a fiancé of a USC.

 

It says "The chart below lists the documents that establish lawful alien status for SSN applications. Use with the more detailed information located elsewhere in this chapter. The chart shows the form number and name, the class of admission for aliens admitted on a temporary basis (i.e., non-immigrants)..."

 

First it says that the document in the chart establishes a lawful alien status.... which is only for the top part where i-94 etc is listed. The leftmost column has the heading immigration form...

Then it goes on to say that the chart shows the class of admission. which the chart below the first chart shows. This chart's left most column has the heading "class".

 

Under "G"  of this part of the policy manual it states that employment authorization for K1's is a part of the COA (Class of Admission). Which is the only thing they need to consider.

[Absolutely 34]

10 hours ago, Suss&Camm said:

I believe it's as easy as them misinterpreting their own table found here. They are reading "K1" as status of being a fiancé of a USC.

 

It says "The chart below lists the documents that establish lawful alien status for SSN applications. Use with the more detailed information located elsewhere in this chapter. The chart shows the form number and name, the class of admission for aliens admitted on a temporary basis (i.e., non-immigrants)..."

 

First it says that the document in the chart establishes a lawful alien status.... which is only for the top part where i-94 etc is listed. The leftmost column has the heading immigration form...

Then it goes on to say that the chart shows the class of admission. which the chart below the first chart shows. This chart's left most column has the heading "class".

 

Under "G"  of this part of the policy manual it states that employment authorization for K1's is a part of the COA (Class of Admission). Which is the only thing they need to consider.

 

I think you are right about them misrepping their own table. I guess if you don't know much about the visa process, once you're married, you're no longer a fiancee, so I can see the confusion. I wonder if they know the point of a visa though, stating a K3 is now needed. Very odd.

 

Is there any purpose them asking me if I'm already married? To avoid this hassle again, could I either say "it's irrelevant", or simply that I am not. It surely makes no odds to the SSA and me getting my SSN if I'm already married or not? I entered on January 31st so have plenty of time left on the I-94, and want it to go as smoothly as possible without a big stink kicking up!

[Absolutely 34]

Just an update - I went to a different SSA office today and was approved without any problems at all. The guy knew exactly what he was doing.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice of going to a different office, it worked a treat!

 

[yuna628 9,697]

2 minutes ago, Absolutely said:

Just an update - I went to a different SSA office today and was approved without any problems at all. The guy knew exactly what he was doing.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice of going to a different office, it worked a treat!

 

I'm so happy that worked out for you!