Social Security

[KateWB 98]

Hello All,

 

So today I went to my local social security office to apply for social security. 

 

Ive been in the country 28 days, we got married on the 14th May (we have our wedding certificate) and are about to adjust status.(applications being completed as we speak)

 

the lady in the social security stated that I cannot apply for social security until we’ve adjusted status (which can take up to 10 months maybe more)????

 

With all the research I’ve never heard of this happening and am frustrated now that I still can’t apply for a bank account or to get my drivers license. 

 

Does anyone anyone know why this is? I have a valid I-94. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bswt2 19]

Did you apply for an EAD/work permit with your AOS? The AOS by itself does not allow you to work.

[Boiler 45,482]

SSN is the fist thing a K1 applies for before you get married.

 

What you need for a Bank varies by Bank, DL varies by State.

[ChrisJay11 31]

SORRY about your frustration but this is the normal procedure.

 

Social security numbers are restricted to those with certain statuses in the US. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and those with work or certain kinds of student visas. You currently don’t have the correct status. You can file for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) with IRS which will allow your spouse to mention you on your taxes formally. You can file taxes separately as well if you choose.

 

Depending on the state, you can get a drivers license without an SSN. Check with your DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or Department of State (certain states have a Department of State that controls drivers’ licenses). Usually the I-94 will work. As for bank accounts, certain banks don’t require an SSN (subject to change). Check with Bank of America and U.S. Bank or certain credit unions.

[Dutchster 1,107]

What did you bring with you and did you try to apply for your SSN in your married name?

Unless you have less than two weeks left, they will not issue you a social security and they will also not when you try to apply in your married name. You have not yet adjusted, so for DHS you are still in the system with your maiden name. 

Go again. Take your I-94 and visa/passport with you and apply in your maiden name. The VJ guide here has a link to a PDF file here that you can print out that confirms you have all the rights for a SSN. 

[geowrian 22,337]

You won't qualify for Social Security for ~10 years once you start working, and meet other requirements (i.e. age). I'm assuming you meant you applied for a Social Security card.

 

You can apply for the card using your K-1 status directly. They may not agree to issue the card in your married name until you either get an EAD or green card...some people have had success and others no luck. It personally took my wife 3 visits and a long wait to get them to do this. But they should issue a card using the name as listed on the passport and visa so long as you apply within the first 76 days of entry (90 days of legal status on a K-1 - 14 days of legal status required to apply).

 

1 minute ago, ChrisJay11 said:

Social security numbers are restricted to those with certain statuses in the US. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and those with work or certain kinds of student visas. You currently don’t have the correct status.

K-1 permits obtaining an SSN fine.

Edited May 29, 2018 by geowrian

[Ontarkie 14,220]

~~Moved to SSN, from K1 P&P - The topic is about SSN, not visa processing.~~

[Dutchster 1,107]

4 minutes ago, ChrisJay11 said:

SORRY about your frustration but this is the normal procedure.

 

Social security numbers are restricted to those with certain statuses in the US. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and those with work or certain kinds of student visas. You currently don’t have the correct status. You can file for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) with IRS which will allow your spouse to mention you on your taxes formally. You can file taxes separately as well if you choose.

Not really. OP and other K-1 holders hold the rights to apply for a SSN. 

Edited May 29, 2018 by Dutchster

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

2 minutes ago, Dutchster said:

What did you bring with you and did you try to apply for your SSN in your married name?

Unless you have less than two weeks left, they will not issue you a social security and they will also not when you try to apply in your married name. You have not yet adjusted, so for DHS you are still in the system with your maiden name. 

Go again. Take your I-94 and visa/passport with you and apply in your maiden name. The VJ guide here has a link to a PDF file here that you can print out that confirms you have all the rights for a SSN. 

They can also take the marriage license as well to do this if they want it in her married name. But a lot of times SS offices aren't aware of that K1 visa holders can get a SSN so they will refuse to give them one. So what a lot of people do is just go to a different office or speak to a supervisor.

[Dutchster 1,107]

Honestly, trying to get a SSN in your married name right away is 9/10 times a total hassle. I always suggest to get it in your maiden name first and then go back to change it. Less of an hassle as so many SSA offices have no clue how this works. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

1 minute ago, Dutchster said:

Honestly, trying to get a SSN in your married name right away is 9/10 times a total hassle. I always suggest to get it in your maiden name first and then go back to change it. Less of an hassle as so many SSA offices have no clue how this works. 

That's what we did for my wife and it was a lot easier.

[KateWB 98]

19 minutes ago, bswt2 said:

Did you apply for an EAD/work permit with your AOS? The AOS by itself does not allow you to work.

Yes I did apply for EAD. 

[KateWB 98]

18 minutes ago, Dutchster said:

What did you bring with you and did you try to apply for your SSN in your married name?

Unless you have less than two weeks left, they will not issue you a social security and they will also not when you try to apply in your married name. You have not yet adjusted, so for DHS you are still in the system with your maiden name. 

Go again. Take your I-94 and visa/passport with you and apply in your maiden name. The VJ guide here has a link to a PDF file here that you can print out that confirms you have all the rights for a SSN. 

I took everything. Passport, birth certificate, deed poll, wedding certificate, proof of address, I-94, proof of apartment lease 

[KateWB 98]

20 minutes ago, Boiler said:

SSN is the fist thing a K1 applies for before you get married.

 

What you need for a Bank varies by Bank, DL varies by State.

I didn’t apply before hand as we were getting married so soon and it would have been more work to get my name changed then just wait to apply in my married name 

20 minutes ago, Dutchster said:

What did you bring with you and did you try to apply for your SSN in your married name?

Unless you have less than two weeks left, they will not issue you a social security and they will also not when you try to apply in your married name. You have not yet adjusted, so for DHS you are still in the system with your maiden name. 

Go again. Take your I-94 and visa/passport with you and apply in your maiden name. The VJ guide here has a link to a PDF file here that you can print out that confirms you have all the rights for a SSN. 

Wouldn’t that be fraud seeings as I’m now married? 

[Dutchster 1,107]

Why fraud? Just because you are married, doesn't mean you can't keep your own name. 

Just apply in your maiden name first. The reason they won't issue you one in your married name is because your married name doesn't match the records in the DHS base for now. In all systems you are still Kate -maiden name- and not Kate -married name- as you haven't succesfully adjusted yet.