K1 getting SSN

[Scandi 4,176]

Exactly, if you have a SSN you're required to give them the number. If you don't have one you'll be fine anyway. You need to call the county clerk where you obtain your marriage license to get some straight answers. Don't settle for a random "customer service" type person if they keep telling you he needs a SSN, ask for a supervisor.

[AusUsa 1]

On 6/13/2017 at 11:16 AM, sarahandyunus said:

You don't need a SSN to get married, HOWEVER (at least where we live, in North Carolina) if you are elligible for one (aka you are here on a K-1 visa) you MUST HAVE ONE to get a marriage license. The only cases in which you don't need one for a marriage license are if you are inelligible (tourist, student, etc).

 

Make sure you wait 10 days after POE to apply for one, so that you are in the system as having entered the US.

I'm on a k1, got my marriage license and I don't have a social security number. I live in North Carolina in Charlotte. Must be different everywhere!! So confusing!

Edited July 10, 2017 by AusUsa

[sarahandyunus 133]

3 minutes ago, AusUsa said:

Not true... I'm on a k1, got my marriage license and I don't have a social security number. I live in North Carolina in Charlotte. 

Perhaps it depends on the county then - we tried to apply for a license when my husband didn't have a SSN and they told us to come back with a SSN...

[Heyee 11]

Hello guys , Im already here in the US under K1 visa(on Dec 25, 2017) and also got married(on Jan 15,2018) and will apply for SSN , anyone here in San Diego who apply after marriage and got there SS number in there married name already ? I just want to know what office branch did u go, because I read in some post some office didn't issue SSN for those k1 who apply after there marriage (so confusing and disappointed ). Thats why Im asking for yoyr recommendation guys.  Thank u so much in advance it s a big help for me. 😘😊

[Wuozopo 4,293]

6 hours ago, Heyee said:

Hello guys , Im already here in the US under K1 visa(on Dec 25, 2017) and also got married(on Jan 15,2018) and will apply for SSN , anyone here in San Diego who apply after marriage and got there SS number in there married name already ? I just want to know what office branch did u go, because I read in some post some office didn't issue SSN for those k1 who apply after there marriage (so confusing and disappointed ). Thats why Im asking for yoyr recommendation guys.  Thank u so much in advance it s a big help for me. 😘😊

You will be better off getting the SSN in your maiden name. Don't even bring up the marriage part. They have to find your name in  a USCIS database called SAVE. You entered as MAIDEN NAME with a passport and visa in MAIDEN NAME. Your I-94 (required) is in MAIDEN NAME. Don't confuse the issue with trying to switch names at this time. 

 

When you apply for AOS, use your married name. That's how your name will get changed in USCIS records. Once your EAD card (or greencard)  is issued, then USCIS identifies you by MARRIED NAME. Go back to Social Security to get you name changed. They will look you up in USCIS records and find that MARRIED NAME is there so they can do a name change.Your number won't change and you can use it in married or maiden name until you are completely sorted out,

[Detron 15]

Hello,

 

As the previous post clearly said, avoid complicating matters even more when it comes to the SSN process. All you need is an SSN number and that's it.

It doesn't really matter currently at this stage which name is bound to it. I'm fortunately a guy so my wife (who's the US citizen) had to change her name and not me. Regardless... I haven't used my SSN card much after I got my driver's license and my SSN card still carries the EAD stamp on it, even though I'm a permanent resident today. I haven't bothered going to update the SSN card. My driver's license is used in everything when it comes to opening bank accounts, applying for a credit card or conducting other official business with authorities, doctors and whatnot.

[Detron 15]

As a side note, the federal rules allowing you to travel between the states require every driver's license to be updated to the new more secure version. Make sure you get the new driver's license. For more info check your state's DMV website.

[Heyee 11]

19 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

You will be better off getting the SSN in your maiden name. Don't even bring up the marriage part. They have to find your name in  a USCIS database called SAVE. You entered as MAIDEN NAME with a passport and visa in MAIDEN NAME. Your I-94 (required) is in MAIDEN NAME. Don't confuse the issue with trying to switch names at this time. 

 

When you apply for AOS, use your married name. That's how your name will get changed in USCIS records. Once your EAD card (or greencard)  is issued, then USCIS identifies you by MARRIED NAME. Go back to Social Security to get you name changed. They will look you up in USCIS records and find that MARRIED NAME is there so they can do a name change.Your number won't change and you can use it in married or maiden name until you are completely sorted out,

Thank u so much for telling me what are the best thing to do. So much appreciated. 😊 Good bless.

[Detron 15]

The Social Security card is needed as soon as possible, not for the marriage certificate per say, but when you apply for work, to open bank accounts to receive your salary, to apply for credit card and start working on your credit (since you got 0 credit as a foreigner), etc... Without SSN you cannot insure yourself, drive a vehicle unless you got an international driver's license but that only lasts for 1 year in US. So all in all... Get SSN asap so you can apply for work and do your business once you receive your work authorization after 3 months of waiting time.

 

Unless of course you want to be without insurance, or not work on your driver's license while waiting for your green card, which I wouldn't recommend. You can do the DMV work, prepare opening bank account in mean while. There's no reasons in waiting for USCIS to complete their tasks first. Also a driver's license makes things much easier than carrying your passport around. Some places don't accept your work authorization card since it doesn't state an address on it.

 

Waiting to get your papers in order just delays the process for no reason.

Edited January 25, 2018 by Detron
more info

[TNJ17 1,329]

Hey guys, getting social security card was easy. Just passport and I-94. I was able to just get a replacement card and keep my old number. 

[George & Roth 1,485]

On 6/13/2017 at 11:34 AM, marislet said:

That's what I'm seeing for New Jersey... it's required for the license application.

I live in NJ, didn't have this requirement. The office I was going through (Westfield NJ) did require I find someone to conduct the marriage so I just went over to Staten Island NY and got married there instead of in NJ. 

 

I picked Staten Island instead of NYC to avoid the lines, and once again no SS# was required. 

 

Sor those wondering about timing, my wife submitted the paperwork for Social Security # on March 12, that was 2 days after we arrived in the USA. Our number arrived on April 14, accordingly a 33 calendar day wait and much longer than the 2 week timeframe mentioned. 

 

We checked up a few times in the SS office but they just kept saying it could take 6 weeks. I was rushing it so she can try for her driving license but to no avail. 

[lightstream 7]

On 6/13/2017 at 10:21 AM, geowrian said:

Normally you should be in the system within a couple days after entry. The recommendation on the VJ guide is to wait at least 10 days. Some have done it same day, but that may result in not being i the system yet and having to either come back or undergo manual verification (takes several weeks). You must request it with at least 14 days left on your I-94. They will not process it if you have less than 14 days of legal status in the US. If you go after getting married, it may be difficult to get the card in the new name until after getting the EAD or green card...people have had mixed success.

 

I've also never heard of an SSN being required. Tourists (and EWIs) cannot obtain an SSN but can marry fine. I think you should check on this as it does not sound accurate.

I totally do not recommend applying for the SSN same day or next day after entry to the US. I just tried to apply for SSN 1 day after entry and they didn't have my fiance in the system. Now they need to do a manual verification which means it'll take up to 4 - 6 weeks to do that.

 

The social security office told me that some other visa applicants (not K1 visa) can do it more quickly but not ours.

[geowrian 22,338]

15 minutes ago, lightstream said:

I totally do not recommend applying for the SSN same day or next day after entry to the US. I just tried to apply for SSN 1 day after entry and they didn't have my fiance in the system. Now they need to do a manual verification which means it'll take up to 4 - 6 weeks to do that.

 

The social security office told me that some other visa applicants (not K1 visa) can do it more quickly but not ours.

I'd agree to wait a few days just in case. But there's no guarantee that the same issue wouldn't have occurred in your particular case or not...manual verification happens for all sorts of innocuous and trivial reasons. This does tend to be common with some countries more than others due to naming conventions.

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,096]

On 5/30/2019 at 1:48 PM, lightstream said:

I totally do not recommend applying for the SSN same day or next day after entry to the US. I just tried to apply for SSN 1 day after entry and they didn't have my fiance in the system. Now they need to do a manual verification which means it'll take up to 4 - 6 weeks to do that.

The thing is that even if it takes 2 weeks without manual verification and 4 weeks with, then waiting two weeks to apply doesn't save you any time even if you avoid manual verification by waiting two weeks. And for many people even waiting a while doesn't prevent manual verification. So I'm very much of the opinion that once you've got your I-94, you should apply. We went two days after entry and were fine (no manual verification needed; card showed up on informed delivery ten days later).

[lightstream 7]

@geowrian @DaveAndAnastasia ok good to know. Thank you! We were definitely unlucky. Hope to get it sooner rather than later!