Applying for SSN before I94 expires

[SpaceAge 33]

Hi

 

I moved to the US in late December and decided that I would apply for my SSN when we married (last week) to apply to save multiple trips. 

 

Now I think I’ve made a mistake and want some advice, I’m doing my AOS paperwork now which is one thing as a few boxes ask for SNN ‘if’ you have one. 

 

I need an SSN now to get on my husbands health insurance, the issue I think I have is that the I94 expires on 14th this week and I am collecting my marriage licence tomorrow that I planned to apply with. I’ve now read on some posts on here that I needed to do it 2 weeks before the i94 expires. 

 

Can anyone advise? i was going to go Tuesday with my marriage licence to apply before the end date on my I94.

 

any advice appreciated. 

[Loren Y 2,755]

Yes, The best thing to have done would have been to get your SS card within the first few days of being here, that way you have the number for Banking, insurance, ID, and all the other things. Then after you got married if you change your name you go back to the SS card office with your marriage certificate and get a new card with the same number, but different name. I have seen many posts on here where if you don't have at least 14 days left on your I94 they will not issue you a SS card and you will have to wait to apply for it on the AOS paperwork. Most people think the same as to avoid getting a SS card, and then a month later getting a new one after you are married, but that is the best way to do it. My wife didn't change her name ( Seemed like more hassle than needed to us, changing ID's, SS card, Passport, Bank accounts,etc.) so we just kept the original card and have been fine. You can check on the SS website, but I am 99.9 percent sure that unless you have at least 14 days left on your I94 they will not issue a SS card.

[p-ana 933]

Too late to apply now. You’ll have to wait for the ead or gc, whichever comes first. 

[K1visaHopeful 2,817]

If the SSA agent follows the policy of the SSA, you will be unable to change your name to your married name on your SSN (or apply for one in your married name) as the SSA policy is to only issue cards in the name that matches the name that DHS has on record for the applicant. Your name will not be changed with DHS until after you file AOS and have received either your EAD or GC, whichever comes first.

 

From time to time you will encounter an agent that will change it to your married name with only the MC (or issue one in your married name) but that means the agent did so by disregarding the policies of the SSA.

 

It's best to file for an SSN in your maiden name, before marriage and at Day 14 (or shortly after) after your K1 entry to avoid the situation of denial when you try to get one on your married name or too close to your I94 expiry.

 

Your only choices now are to apply for an SSN on the I765 and it will arrive shortly after the EAD approval in 4 to 6 months currently or to wait until your I765 or GC is approved and issued and then go back to SSA with either of those that will have your married name on it (as you will apply for AOS in your married name) and change your name on the SSN then.

[SpaceAge 33]

Update. They wouldnt let me have an SSN despite nothing on their forms implying this scenario. 

 

[arken 4,197]

1 hour ago, SpaceAge said:

Update. They wouldnt let me have an SSN despite nothing on their forms implying this scenario. 

 

That was expected. It’s not about the application but the delivery. Their processing time is 2-3 weeks so your legal status would have expired by the time they issue you a SSN and they can’t issue the number to someone with no legal status.

[SpaceAge 33]

3 minutes ago, arken said:

That was expected. It’s not about the application but the delivery. Their processing time is 2-3 weeks so your legal status would have expired by the time they issue you a SSN and they can’t issue the number to someone with no legal status.

I realise that now