Arrived! Now on to the next steps!

[Duncan J Reyneke 1]

Hi everybody

 

To start with, great news: I arrived in Orlando on Friday, after about an eight month application period, from start to finish. All in all, minus a few hiccups here and there, it was smooth sailing, and I'm really grateful to be here, safe and sound.

Now it's Monday, and I need to get started with the next steps in the process. My fiance and I are going down to city hall on Friday to apply for our marriage license. In the meantime, I'm a little confused about when to apply for my SSN and employment authorization. There are guides, but I'm feeling a little confused by the wording (isn't it weird how one typo (of which I've found a few :/) can throw you completely off your game when reading an official document?). Can someone explain to me:
 

This week, while I'm waiting for Friday, can I apply for my SSN? What documents do I need to be able to do that? There are a lot of notices and extra information, and I just got a little confused. What do I need to fill out and have copies of in order to get my SSN? On the timeline, it lists applying for the SSN before applying for the marriage certificate, I just want to make sure I'm not sitting around after we get married, with an employment authorization and no SSN, completely unhirable.

Thanks, in advance!

[KULtoATL 1,551]

You can apply for a marriage license first. 

 

As for SSN, used to be 14 days after entry. But now people seem to be able to apply once it's been a few days upon entry. Complete SS-5 and print out https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211530. Bring your passport and your I-94 printout. Not sure if you'll need your birth certificate as a second form of ID.

 

If you don't apply for it before marriage, you'll have to wait till after you get your EAD to apply for one. EAD is filed concurrently with AOS and AP. When filed together, you'll only pay the AOS fee + biometrics fee.

[geowrian 22,338]

2 minutes ago, KULtoATL said:

If you don't apply for it before marriage, you'll have to wait till after you get your EAD to apply for one. EAD is filed concurrently with AOS and AP. When filed together, you'll only pay the AOS fee + biometrics fee.

You can apply after marriage fine (so long as you have at least 14 days of legal status remaining on your I-94), but - at many SSA offices - they won't let you put it in your married name until you have the EAD (or a green card).

Edited July 31, 2017 by geowrian