SSN - Did I screw up?

[NihonJim 3]

So after a long wait, my fiancé was finally approved and came to the US!

 

My original plan was to go get her SSN, get married, change name on the SSN, then submit all the USCIS forms (485, 131,765).  Unfortunately, with the US Government shut down right now, I can't get her a SSN (at least according to what I read, I can't right now).  So with that up in the air, we went to the courthouse on Monday the 14th to pick up marriage license paperwork.  While standing in line, we found out the lady in front of us was one of the county's licensed marriage officiants, so we got married on Monday.  For some reason they wouldn't change her last name (possibly because without a SSN there is no record of her existing, so they can't change a name that doesn't exist?)

 

We really weren't too concerned with getting a SSN right away since banking/credit cards/drivers license isn't a huge deal at the moment.  However, I found out today that my employer won't add her to my health insurance without an SSN. 

 

Did I screw up and prevent her from getting an SSN until she has her green card?  Or once SSA opens up again should we be able to get her a number since she is still here on a valid K-1?

 

Thanks!

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

I don't see where you screwed up. You just have to wait until the SSA office is open and apply.

[payxibka 10,047]

19 minutes ago, NihonJim said:

So after a long wait, my fiancé was finally approved and came to the US!

 

My original plan was to go get her SSN, get married, change name on the SSN, then submit all the USCIS forms (485, 131,765).  Unfortunately, with the US Government shut down right now, I can't get her a SSN (at least according to what I read, I can't right now).  So with that up in the air, we went to the courthouse on Monday the 14th to pick up marriage license paperwork.  While standing in line, we found out the lady in front of us was one of the county's licensed marriage officiants, so we got married on Monday.  For some reason they wouldn't change her last name (possibly because without a SSN there is no record of her existing, so they can't change a name that doesn't exist?)

 

We really weren't too concerned with getting a SSN right away since banking/credit cards/drivers license isn't a huge deal at the moment.  However, I found out today that my employer won't add her to my health insurance without an SSN. 

 

Did I screw up and prevent her from getting an SSN until she has her green card?  Or once SSA opens up again should we be able to get her a number since she is still here on a valid K-1?

 

Thanks!

Within 75 days of her entry or when she receives employment authorization 

[NihonJim 3]

Ok, so I went by the SSA office today, and they were open.  So they MAY be issuing numbers during the shutdown, but I couldn't just ask them the question, I would have to wait about 2hrs in line to do so.

 

So the plan now is to take care of paperwork tonight, and head over first thing tomorrow to try and get my wife a SSN number.  If I understand correctly, we need the SS-5 application form, her passport, her I-94, and a copy of the RM10211.530 SSA instruction.  Am I missing anything?

 

Also, on the SS-5 form, what do I choose for her citizenship status?  She's obviously not a US citizen or a legal alien allowed to work, but does she qualify as a legal alien not allowed to work or other?

Second, for her parents' information, since they are not US citizens and don't have SSNs, do I check the 'Unknown' box, or just leave that whole line blank?

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Moslund 94]

Don't stress about about filling your AOS without a SSN. Once your work permit is approved she can apply then. I never had a SSN when applying to my AOS and never had problems without having 1 but as soon as I went my work permit was approved I applied for it. With regaurds to the government shutdown who knows when I will open back you'll probably be faster filling then dealing with the SSN later on. 

 

You want to mark her at " legal alien not allowed to work " until she has her work permit she can't legally work.. if you mark legal alien allowed to work then they assume she already has a work permit which she does not have. for SSN mark as unkown that's what I don't for mine since they live in the UK and they don't have ssn's

Edited January 18, 2019 by Moslund

[NihonJim 3]

Yeah, we're not worried about getting her into a job right away, just want her to get used to living here first.  The important thing to us though, is to get her added to my health insurance, which my company says a SSN is required to add her. 

 

This morning we went to the SSA office and applied for a number.  After waiting an hour, we finally got to sit down and go through the motions, but she didn't get it today.  We were told that DHS couldn't verify something, so we have to wait for them to get back to us, and if we haven't heard anything after 4 weeks, to call back for an update. 

 

So for now I'll try to sit back and just wait, though my brain doesn't like that.  In the meantime I might try to find a private insurance plan so we can at least get her covered for the month.  Though I wonder if the plan would cost just as much as paying out of pocket for a doctor.

 

blah, I need to stop thinking......

[Moslund 94]

We got the same knock back from insurance my hubby explain i was going threw immagration and it would be 3-4months til I had a SNN and they agreed to add me on the condition I produce a SSN within 4months

[NihonJim 3]

1 hour ago, Moslund said:

We got the same knock back from insurance my hubby explain i was going threw immagration and it would be 3-4months til I had a SNN and they agreed to add me on the condition I produce a SSN within 4months

I'll talk to my benefits person at the office and see if they can work that out with the insurance company.  I would really like to get my wife covered asap.