Trip to our local Social Security Office

[K + M 47]

We are making this post to give a run-down of exactly what happened, and to get some help with exactly what we need to do next.

 

How it happened:  The I-94 expires in about a month and a half, so we went into the local SSA to get her Social Security Number, we just wanted it in the new name so we took the marriage certificate with us.  We also brought her long form birth certificate (UK), so we had everything we needed for the SSN.  Now here is what happened which is why we are so confused.

 

We gave the lady all the info we had and she had trouble saying can't put it in the new name have to do maiden name first then switch to new name after marriage, which can someone confirm on here if that has to happen?  If that is how it has to happen where you get a SSN in the maiden name then get it switched to new name after the marriage, that's understandable.  Although this next part really tricked us, she said that we need to report to Marriage and the name change to Immigration, we are so confused by this because we thought the marriage certificate is proof and eligibility for the name change.  She then also asked us for her alien number, but we don't have one, as you all know.  So she then said they are verifying the information, but she got a status as "unmatched" when trying to issue her a number?? What exactly does this mean, what I am hoping is happening is she is just getting her information verified and will be issued a SSN promptly, and then after that we will get her name changed on her SSN card.  

 

If someone or some people fill us on in exactly what we need to do, or exactly what is going on please let us know, we need some clarification.

 

Thank you so much in advance.

 

(Also to any mods If this thread isnt in the right forum feel free to move it to the appropriate one, I think this is the right forum, but I could be wrong)

Edited July 8, 2019 by Kerri and Myles

[HRQX 4,145]

22 minutes ago, Kerri and Myles said:

We gave the lady all the info we had and she had trouble saying can't put it in the new name have to do maiden name first then switch to new name after marriage, which can someone confirm on here if that has to happen?

Yes, SS card will be issued in maiden name. When she submits the AOS forms (I-485, I-765, etc) to USCIS put the married name. After she receives either the EAD or GC she can change the SS card to married name.

22 minutes ago, Kerri and Myles said:

She then also asked us for her alien number...

USCIS assigned her one when the I-129F was approved. It should be near her name on the I-129F approval notice.

Edited July 8, 2019 by HRQX

[p-ana 933]

Have you read the ssn forum? 

 

this happens quite often and even more lately. 

 

She has an alien number it’s on her visa. Starts with a and will have 9 numbers following.

 

ssa office needs a government issued id to issue ssn with a name other than the passport one.

 

 

now you’ll have to wait cause it seems the application needs to have manual verification. 

 

Please read ead the forum and get acquainted with the procedures and what’s happening lately

[K1visaHopeful 2,814]

30 minutes ago, Kerri and Myles said:

We are making this post to give a run-down of exactly what happened, and to get some help with exactly what we need to do next.

 

How it happened:  The I-94 expires in about a month and a half, so we went into the local SSA to get her Social Security Number, we just wanted it in the new name so we took the marriage certificate with us.  We also brought her long form birth certificate (UK), so we had everything we needed for the SSN.  Now here is what happened which is why we are so confused.

 

We gave the lady all the info we had and she had trouble saying can't put it in the new name have to do maiden name first then switch to new name after marriage, which can someone confirm on here if that has to happen? Absolutely the way as SSA rarely will do it any other way. If that is how it has to happen where you get a SSN in the maiden name then get it switched to new name after the marriage, that's understandable.  Although this next part really tricked us, she said that we need to report to Marriage and the name change to Immigration, we are so confused by this because we thought the marriage certificate is proof and eligibility for the name change.  She then also asked us for her alien number, but we don't have one, as you all know.  So she then said they are verifying the information, but she got a status as "unmatched" when trying to issue her a number?? What exactly does this mean, what I am hoping is happening is she is just getting her information verified and will be issued a SSN promptly, and then after that we will get her name changed on her SSN card.  

 

If someone or some people fill us on in exactly what we need to do, or exactly what is going on please let us know, we need some clarification.

 

Thank you so much in advance.

 

(Also to any mods If this thread isnt in the right forum feel free to move it to the appropriate one, I think this is the right forum, but I could be wrong)

The SSN is rarely changed to the married name until after EAD or the green card is issued. This is an SSA problem of them not understanding the policy for immigrants. There is nothing you can do about it but you can try to apply for the SSN in the married name AFTER you receive the initial maiden name card. If you don't get it that's okay because you can get it after EAD or green card. As long as you have an SSN, it does not matter what name is on the card. You can change it later. This is the normal process.

Reporting your marriage to immigration simply means applying for AOS in your married name. Once your EAD or green card is issued it will be in your married name and then you can apply for a married name SSN.

 

Right now you are under manual verification. That means that SSA is confirming with DHS that you are the same person as listed on your immigration documents. If you do not receive a response from them within 4 weeks you will have to return to them and ask them what is going on.

Edited July 8, 2019 by K1visaHopeful

[HRQX 4,145]

11 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

If you do not receive a response from them within 4 weeks you will have to return to them and ask them what is going on.

To add on: SSA requires 14 days left on the I-94 in order to issue an SSN. That deadline for her is 08/13/19. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110213095

Edited July 8, 2019 by HRQX

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*moved from “AOS from K visas” to “SSNs” where this question is regularly discussed*~*~*

[K + M 47]

5 minutes ago, HRQX said:

To add on: SSA requires 14 days left on the I-94 in order to issue an SSN. That deadline for her is 08/13/19. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110213095

We weren't positive about the alien number, we are going there tomorrow to give it to her, and she said she can add it to the application, but this worries me what if the verification is still going on and the I-94 expires?

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, Kerri and Myles said:

this worries me what if the verification is still going on and the I-94 expires?

If that happens, then wait until she receives either the EAD or GC. If tax time comes before she has an SSN then look into ITIN; or file then amend taxes when she gets the SSN.

Edited July 8, 2019 by HRQX

[K + M 47]

1 minute ago, HRQX said:

If that happens, then wait until she receives either the EAD or GC. If tax times comes before she has an SSN then look into ITIN; or file then amend taxes when she gets the SSN.

Will us going their tomorrow and giving the alien number to the lady make it to where the verification process doesn't take a long time, or will we be able to get her SSN soon?  This all seems so silly that you only have a couple week window to get the SSN, and the manual verification process can take as long if not longer than the whole K-1 Visa window itself.  Is there a way for us to know what type of verification we are in?  

[K + M 47]

Also one thing that greatly confuses me is that do you just need to have the SSN application started by the time of the 2 week window before I-94 expires, or do you have to have the case verified so she can receive a number, or do you have to have the actual physical SSN Card in hand?  

Edited July 8, 2019 by Kerri and Myles

[HRQX 4,145]

7 minutes ago, Kerri and Myles said:

Also one thing that greatly confuses me is that do you just need to have the SSN application started by the time of the 2 week window before I-94 expires, or do you have to have the case verified so she can receive a number, or do you have to have the actual physical SSN Card in hand?  

Maybe, @geowrian can clarify on the 2 week window:

 

[K + M 47]

11 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Maybe, @geowrian can clarify on the 2 week window:

 

I just went into the SAVE case check status system and it said the "Maximum Days Left" - 6, how accurate is this?

 

Edited July 8, 2019 by Kerri and Myles

[K1visaHopeful 2,814]

35 minutes ago, Kerri and Myles said:

We weren't positive about the alien number, we are going there tomorrow to give it to her, and she said she can add it to the application, but this worries me what if the verification is still going on and the I-94 expires?

The SSN will discontinue to process if you do not have enough time left on your I-94. That's why it's recommended to attend SSA on business day 14 after arrival. You will apply in your maiden name then regardless if you're married or not.

[K + M 47]

3 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

The SSN will discontinue to process if you do not have enough time left on your I-94. That's why it's recommended to attend SSA on business day 14 after arrival. You will apply in your maiden name then regardless if you're married or not.

 

 

Yeah I 100% understand this, the I-94 for her expires on August-26th, which is why I am wondering if on the SAVE if that maximum days is 100% truth, so she should have her SSN in 6 days?

 

Also the Social Security worker sent off the verification to get the SSN without the alien number will this be cause for auto denial of verification?  We are going back there tomorrow to add the Alien number to the SSN application though.

Edited July 8, 2019 by Kerri and Myles

[K1visaHopeful 2,814]

11 minutes ago, Kerri and Myles said:

 

 

Yeah I 100% understand this, the I-94 for her expires on August-26th, which is why I am wondering if on the SAVE if that maximum days is 100% truth, so she should have her SSN in 6 days?

 

Also the Social Security worker sent off the verification to get the SSN without the alien number will this be cause for auto denial of verification?  We are going back there tomorrow to add the Alien number to the SSN application though.

No, SAVE only reflects how long SSA will need to wait for DHS to give them a response on your verification status. It can take up to four weeks after that for SSA to actually process your card.

SSA does not require you to give them your alien number at any point. I am not sure why the agent ask that of you. They're not supposed to.