SSN before or after getting married? and Driver's license in Houston

[Ninatica 56]

Hello dear all (once again),

 

Should I ask for the SSN before or after getting married?

I have a big doubt, could I drive with my foreigner driver's license in Houston? Mine was issued in Costa Rica.

 

Best regards,

 

Ninatica.

[Becci391 339]

1 minute ago, Ninatica said:

Hello dear all (once again),

 

Should I ask for the SSN before or after getting married?

I have a big doubt, could I drive with my foreigner driver's license in Houston? Mine was issued in Costa Rica.

 

Best regards,

 

Ninatica.

I would wait until you are married because when you have your marriage certificate, the Social Security Administration might use your new last name instead of your maiden name.

 

I would check the Texas DMV or DDS website to find out what you need in order to apply for your Texas driver's license. You can drive with your Costa Rica driver's license for a limited time but then you have to apply for a Texas DL.

[KimchiLumpia 315]

Refer to the VJ guide on receiving a SS#:
 http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

[Sol1427 23]

I'm pretty sure that you cannot drive in the US with another license other than a US license.   I have family members that came to the US with drivers license from DR and they had to get a US license

[shayden10 78]

You should get your SSN as soon as you can, prior to being married. When you are there, ask what they require to do the name change on the card. The SSA in my area requires a piece of ID with my married name on it, therefore I have to wait until I receive my employment authorization as they will not accept my marriage certificate. The SSN and name change are free, the only thing it takes is going to the office to get it done. I know every office is different, but mine also told me that because I entered under my maiden name they would have had to process my application under that name because that is my name in the Department of Homeland Security database, where they check if I'm eligible for a SSN. Getting the name changed isn't that hard anyway. 

 

I entered in January and was allowed to drive on my Canadian license in my state for 90 days after establishing residence here. I went to the DMV once I received my NOA1 from my AOS and was told I can't get a license until I establish lawful residence here, which (according to them) was when I received my EAD. Until then, they told me I could continue to drive as a visitor on my Canadian license. You will have to check the website for the DMV in your area to determine what makes you eligible for a license, how long you can drive on your foreign license, and whether your state has a reciprocity agreement with your country. 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

On 3/30/2017 at 2:41 PM, Sol1427 said:

I'm pretty sure that you cannot drive in the US with another license other than a US license.   I have family members that came to the US with drivers license from DR and they had to get a US license

Depends on the state.  Some allow you to use it for up to a year

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

On 2017-03-30 at 1:22 PM, Ninatica said:

Hello dear all (once again),

 

Should I ask for the SSN before or after getting married?

I have a big doubt, could I drive with my foreigner driver's license in Houston? Mine was issued in Costa Rica.

 

Best regards,

 

Ninatica.

As noted by a previous poster apply for SSN ASAP after arriving, in maiden name, this is for 2 reasons:

1. IF you end up having to do a level 3 SAVE check to verify your identity with USCIS (meaning verification through physical papers being sent to a USCIS) office, this typically takes 7-10 weeks to get back. Most ppl are verified electronically, but you won't know this for sure until you apply, and you need 14 days MINIMUM left on your i-94 for the SSO to issue the card. Otherwise you'll have to wait until you get your EAD.

2. They require your EAD to do the name change as well as the marriage certificate (a USC can change their name with only marriage certificate, but not an immigrant, so there is no reason to wait. (I have seen on occasion a few ppl having been successful in changing the name with certificate when the i-94 has been unexpired).

 

I Texas only licenses from Canada and Mexico have full reciprocity, meaning you'll need to take both written and driver's exams when the time comes. You are allowed to drive for 90 days on your foreign unexpired license. You can use the NOA1 from the i-485 application together with unexpired or expired i-94 and foreign passport to prove lawful presence in Texas - some DMV personnel don't know this, pm me when time comes if you need help. You will also need 2 documents to show proof of residency, such as lease with name on or 2 pieces of mail with your name on it from your address (less than 90 days old), for example NOA1 and Biometrics letter.

 

Good luck.

Edited April 4, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Ash.1101 1,756]

Texas only allows you to drive for 90 days if you are moving into Texas. I believe it's up to a year if visiting, but if you are moving they want you to get a Texas DL ASAP.

Note though, that when you come in on the visa, you are considered as having moved here and that your residence is now in Texas.

 

Quote

Driving privilege reciprocity allows a person to use a valid, unexpired foreign license to operate a motor vehicle in Texas for up to one year or until a person becomes a Texas resident, whichever date is sooner. Once a person becomes a new Texas resident, they must apply for a Texas license within 90 days to continue to drive legally. For more information, please review the Moving to Texas page.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/reciprocity.htm

Edited April 4, 2017 by Ash.1101