Social Security Number / I-94 / Immigration Document

[akfamilyjourney 77]

Hi people!

 

A long story short. I came to the US, got marries within 90 days, was able to apply for SSN a month before my I-94 expired.

Social Security officer made us apply with my maiden name (the one on the travel document) even though I was already married and had my marriage certificate on me. He mentioned that we can just change the name after I receive my card. OK. Around two weeks later I have received my Social Security card with my maiden name on it, we went to Social Security Administration and requested a name change.

In a meantime we have been applying for Adjustment of Status to be able to sent all the documents boforere I-94 expires. Did it. Two day later I receive a letter from Social Security saying that

"You Immigration Documents will expire in less then 30 days. We are unable to process Your request. We need an immigration document valid for more then 30 days. Please contact us when you can give us documents we need."

 

Kind of makes sence and doesn't at the same time.

I have a Social Security number and a card, but I have it on my maiden name. Is it valid along with marriage certificate? Its not that I extremely need it right now, but they alredy issued SSN that I can use. How come name change is such a problem. What kind of prood do they need? Will NOA1 be enough to show them when I receive it?

Edited June 11, 2019 by theafons

[Cryssiekins 976]

SSA is annoying for K1’s.

 

You’ll have to wait until you have the EAD or GC to change the name, but you’ll be fine as your marriage certificate is proof of name change for things like banking and insurance.

[akfamilyjourney 77]

6 minutes ago, Cryssiekins said:

SSA is annoying for K1’s.

 

You’ll have to wait until you have the EAD or GC to change the name, but you’ll be fine as your marriage certificate is proof of name change for things like banking and insurance.

Thank you! So you think NOA1 won't be enough for them or they have no clue what NOA1 is? 😅

[Cryssiekins 976]

19 minutes ago, theafons said:

Thank you! So you think NOA1 won't be enough for them or they have no clue what NOA1 is? 😅

They barely know the main documents, you’ll ruin someone’s day trying to use the NOA.  😂

 

Also, from a practical standpoint the NOA specifically states no immigration benefit is conveyed by the letter, so it really can’t be used for a whole lot of anything.

[K1visaHopeful 2,817]

That is the normal procedure for K1s applying for SSNs. You will receive it in your maiden name. You won't be able to change it into your married name until you get EAD or GC. That's normal and that's how it is for 75% of us.

The SSN must match your immigrant name. Your immigration name will not be your married name until you receive your EAD or green card when you apply for those in your married name. For an immigrant, passing on the marriage certificate is not enough at SSA. Your SSN name has to match your immigration documents. Your immigration document ie your I94 is in your maiden name. An NOA1 is not an immigration document. It is only a receipt.

If you do a search using the Visa journey search bar for "SSN and married name" you will see hundreds of posts telling you the same thing.

Edited June 11, 2019 by K1visaHopeful

[TBoneTX 45,308]

Thread is moved from the "AOS from K Visas" main forum to the Social Security Numbers subforum -- topic is chiefly about SSN.

[Susi&Vinnie 7]

On 6/11/2019 at 4:43 AM, K1visaHopeful said:

That is the normal procedure for K1s applying for SSNs. You will receive it in your maiden name. You won't be able to change it into your married name until you get EAD or GC. That's normal and that's how it is for 75% of us.

The SSN must match your immigrant name. Your immigration name will not be your married name until you receive your EAD or green card when you apply for those in your married name. For an immigrant, passing on the marriage certificate is not enough at SSA. Your SSN name has to match your immigration documents. Your immigration document ie your I94 is in your maiden name. An NOA1 is not an immigration document. It is only a receipt.

If you do a search using the Visa journey search bar for "SSN and married name" you will see hundreds of posts telling you the same thing.

Hi,

 

first of all thanks for the good summary

Just one thing ... looking through the K1 process flow chart in the "Guides" section its explained differently. its says #16. apply for SSN / #17... / #18. Get married /

#19. Change name on SSN (Go back to the SSA office and bring your SSN Card and marriage certificate. Change your name.) #20... / #21. AOS/EAD

So but you are saying step #19 is not even possible before #21. is even finalized and you receive your EAD

Just checking if my understanding is correct?

 

Thanks a lot!

Susi

 

 

[K1visaHopeful 2,817]

2 hours ago, Susi&Vinnie said:

Hi,

 

first of all thanks for the good summary

Just one thing ... looking through the K1 process flow chart in the "Guides" section its explained differently. its says #16. apply for SSN / #17... / #18. Get married /

#19. Change name on SSN (Go back to the SSA office and bring your SSN Card and marriage certificate. Change your name.) #20... / #21. AOS/EAD

So but you are saying step #19 is not even possible before #21. is even finalized and you receive your EAD

Just checking if my understanding is correct?

 

Thanks a lot!

Susi

 

 

"I feel the need to add to this, if you all don't mind.

It is highly recommended that anyone who is coming in on a K1 visa to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) before their marriage.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Agents are easily confused by the K1 Visa, and may (wrongfully) assume that now that you're married, you're no longer a K1 visa holder, and no longer qualify for a SSN. It is best to apply for a SSN in the name which is on the immigrant's I-94 and passport to avoid this potential headache and several trips back & forth."

 

80 percent of the time it wont happen according to your VJ list. I post about this daily so feel free fo search for the topic in the search bar. 

 

[Susi&Vinnie 7]

Yes I understand ... I will in any case go and apply for a SSN before I get married. Plus ,I will wait to do so for approx. 2 weeks after PoE so that their systems are updated and contain my I-94 information. Its understood.

 

But from what you and a lot of other posts are saying it doesn't make sense to go back to SSN office trying to change the name after the marriage as long as you didn't get your AOS/EAD response. "you won't be able to change it into your married name until you get EAD or GC".

 

So I was only wondering if we might want to adapt or add tis as a comment to the flowchart: