POE Done. Now SSN then Wedding then AOS?

[B&Gloria 7]

Hi Everyone,

 

My Fiancee arrived here in the US about 20 days ago. Everything has been going smoothly and we are happy to finally be together again!

 

After searching the forums I saw that it was advisable to apply for a SNN after 2 weeks so we waited 2 whole weeks and went to the SS Administration office last Friday. The girl only asked if we had an "original I-94" and I told her we only had the I-94 that we printed from the website. She then said gave us a document (in Spanish) after 10 minutes of typing. The document says that they need to verify some documents to check her immigration status and it could take up to 4 weeks. The only part we did not understand was what are we supposed to do next. A.) Go back in 4 weeks and see if the card is issued? or B.) Just wait for it to come into the mail after 4 weeks?

 

Does anyone know if it really takes that long for a SSN to be generated? It's been a while since this whole immigration process has made me nervous but now I'm really worried about her getting a SSN so she can open a US Bank Account and get a US Drivers license. 

 

After we get married we then change her name at the SS Administration office then file AOS? Does anyone know how long it takes for the AOS?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

[Cryssiekins 976]

You should be able to check the verification online. Sometimes it takes even longer than 4 weeks, but as long as all is well with the verification, they will mail the SS card.

 

The name change comes with the marriage certificate (in most states).  Once you have that AND the SS card you can go back to SSA to change the name of the i94 is still valid, otherwise you have to wait to do the SS name change until she has an EAD/AP card (or greencard).  Not a huge deal, just carry the marriage certificate around to show both names.

 

Some states won’t issue a DL until there is an EAD/GC, you’ll have to check your local DMV.

 

AoS can take up to a year or more depending on where you live.  Make sure to apply for EAD/AP, so that there will at least be that until a GC comes (usually 4-6 months for the EAD/AP). 

 

Edit:  to save yourself a headache, wait to change the SS name until you have an EAD.  The i94 needs to have 30+ days left of validity in order to make the change, and depending on timing, you may not make it.  Not a huge deal to wait, as you’ll have the marriage certificate for proof of name for anything you may need it for

Edited June 11, 2019 by Cryssiekins

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to Moving To The US and Your New Life In America forum.

[milimelo 4,572]

She doesn’t need a ssn to get married or to get a bank account. 

[Peot 162]

11 hours ago, milimelo said:

She doesn’t need a ssn to get married or to get a bank account. 

You absolutely do need an SSN to get a bank account. I have 3 bank accounts and a mortgage in the US as well as 2 credit cards - I needed an SSN for EACH. Your SSN is tied to your credit information and your taxation information.... I don't know what kind of bank would want to open an account with someone who doesn't have an SSN.

 

It's very uncommon for someone in the US to not already have an SSN since in the 1980's a parent can indicate to automatically issue one. As such, an SSN is typically required information, and it's very difficult to get around that. Before I had an SSN I couldn't get a driver's license for example.

 

On 6/10/2019 at 8:44 PM, B&Gloria said:

Hi Everyone,

 

My Fiancee arrived here in the US about 20 days ago. Everything has been going smoothly and we are happy to finally be together again!

 

After searching the forums I saw that it was advisable to apply for a SNN after 2 weeks so we waited 2 whole weeks and went to the SS Administration office last Friday. The girl only asked if we had an "original I-94" and I told her we only had the I-94 that we printed from the website. She then said gave us a document (in Spanish) after 10 minutes of typing. The document says that they need to verify some documents to check her immigration status and it could take up to 4 weeks. The only part we did not understand was what are we supposed to do next. A.) Go back in 4 weeks and see if the card is issued? or B.) Just wait for it to come into the mail after 4 weeks?

 

Does anyone know if it really takes that long for a SSN to be generated? It's been a while since this whole immigration process has made me nervous but now I'm really worried about her getting a SSN so she can open a US Bank Account and get a US Drivers license. 

 

After we get married we then change her name at the SS Administration office then file AOS? Does anyone know how long it takes for the AOS?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

You have to wait 2 weeks for the SSN application because it can take that much time for the information from the I-94 to enter the SAVE-ASVI system. The SAVE program is how they verify the information to confirm the immigrant is eligible for the social security card. This process can take between 2-4 weeks and that's a normal timeline. Note: I think I got mine verified and in my hands within a week! The card will be mailed to you after they're done verifying the information, so nothing more needs to be done. So B) Just wait.

It doesn't matter if you wait to do the AOS or not. On the AOS you can use her new name - the marriage certificate will be evidence of this. The SSN can be changed after or before - again, it doesn't matter as the SSN is not required for AOS. SSN isn't even required (Technically) for EAD. The EAD application process can issue you a new SSN if you choose to do so.

[Cryssiekins 976]

3 minutes ago, Peot said:

You absolutely do need an SSN to get a bank account. I have 3 bank accounts and a mortgage in the US as well as 2 credit cards - I needed an SSN for EACH. Your SSN is tied to your credit information and your taxation information.... I don't know what kind of bank would want to open an account with someone who doesn't have an SSN.

 

It's very uncommon for someone in the US to not already have an SSN since in the 1980's a parent can indicate to automatically issue one. As such, an SSN is typically required information, and it's very difficult to get around that. Before I had an SSN I couldn't get a driver's license for example.

Incorrect.  Banks, insurance companies, etc PREFER someone have an SSN or ITIN because it is a unique identifier, but it is not legally required. You generally have to push back, and someone needs to call their supervisor, but things get done.  My husband and I opened our joint bank account before we had our K1 approved, and while it took the bank an hour to open the account, they did it, without an SSN.

 

I also had an issue at POE with the spelling of my name, so I wasn’t able to get my SSN in a timely fashion due to the spelling error with DHS, but I was still able to get put onto my husband’s health insurance.  Again, it took a couple days because his HR depart and the Insurance Company didn’t know how to do it, but they did.

 

I agree it’s more convenient to get things done with it, but there’s always a way

[Peot 162]

On 6/16/2019 at 2:13 PM, Cryssiekins said:

Incorrect.  Banks, insurance companies, etc PREFER someone have an SSN or ITIN because it is a unique identifier, but it is not legally required. You generally have to push back, and someone needs to call their supervisor, but things get done.  My husband and I opened our joint bank account before we had our K1 approved, and while it took the bank an hour to open the account, they did it, without an SSN.

 

I also had an issue at POE with the spelling of my name, so I wasn’t able to get my SSN in a timely fashion due to the spelling error with DHS, but I was still able to get put onto my husband’s health insurance.  Again, it took a couple days because his HR depart and the Insurance Company didn’t know how to do it, but they did.

 

I agree it’s more convenient to get things done with it, but there’s always a way

I never said it was "legally required", but definitely based on a bank's policy. At my PNC bank and my Huntington bank both state in their policies that a valid SSN is required. Maybe this could be fought and maybe another bank won't be so strict, but when I initially moved here and attempted to open a bank account with PNC bank without my SSN, they apologized that they couldn't do it for me. All of that said, as your SSN is tied to you and your credit / taxation information I'm not sure what kind of bank would allow this. You would certainly run into trouble getting any kind of credit line with that institution. 

Similarly in Michigan where I live a valid SSN is required, and if you don't have one you have to prove why you are ineligible to receive one. You're not ineligible "because I just moved here" - as you can certainly obtain one with your valid K1. Again, maybe you could push back with the DMV/Secretary of State, but in my attempts to persuade them of anything it's entirely futile. 

[BlackAfrodyte 73]

Hello,

 

When did you apply for the k1?

On 6/10/2019 at 8:44 PM, B&Gloria said:

Hi Everyone,

 

My Fiancee arrived here in the US about 20 days ago. Everything has been going smoothly and we are happy to finally be together again!

 

After searching the forums I saw that it was advisable to apply for a SNN after 2 weeks so we waited 2 whole weeks and went to the SS Administration office last Friday. The girl only asked if we had an "original I-94" and I told her we only had the I-94 that we printed from the website. She then said gave us a document (in Spanish) after 10 minutes of typing. The document says that they need to verify some documents to check her immigration status and it could take up to 4 weeks. The only part we did not understand was what are we supposed to do next. A.) Go back in 4 weeks and see if the card is issued? or B.) Just wait for it to come into the mail after 4 weeks?

 

Does anyone know if it really takes that long for a SSN to be generated? It's been a while since this whole immigration process has made me nervous but now I'm really worried about her getting a SSN so she can open a US Bank Account and get a US Drivers license. 

 

After we get married we then change her name at the SS Administration office then file AOS? Does anyone know how long it takes for the AOS?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Hi. When did you apply for the k1 visa?

[Crazy Cat 42,588]

On 6/10/2019 at 7:44 PM, B&Gloria said:

After we get married we then change her name at the SS Administration office then file AOS?

Remember to marry and file for AOS within 90 days after you arrive in the US.  If the foreign spouse fails to file for AOS within 90 days of arrival, he/she will be out of status and subject to deportation......and a SSN is not required to file.