Social security issues

[Teacake 76]

Hi all,

 

I entered the US on a K1 two days ago. I checked my I-94 this morning and it’s been correctly updated. My fiancé and I would like to get married late next week. We would like to apply for my SSN on Monday (or at least before getting married), but I was repeatedly told by some members of a Facebook group I’m in that you must wait two weeks after entry to apply. I’m confused as to why if my I-94 has been updated? (Unless there are some internal processes that haven’t taken place yet?)

 

So I suppose the routes I’m considering are:

 

A) Go to the SSA at/before one week after entry and hope we don’t end up waiting a few hours to be turned away. Apply for my SSN, get married and receive the card in the mail afterwards.

 

B) Get married next week, wait the advised two weeks before going to the SSA and apply for my SSN in my maiden name (and go back to update it after AOS).

 

Some input from you knowledgeable people would be lovely!

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

The Facebook group is incorrect.  You do not have to wait 2 weeks......I would apply for the Social Security card as soon as possible.  I would choose option (A).

[geowrian 22,337]

The 2 week wait is mostly a relic from the past. Nowadays, electronic records are transferred almost instantly.

That said, some people still get stuck with manual verification (what the wait was meant to avoid).

 

Plan A is fine. Note that an SSN is not required to marry or file for AOS. It is only required if you have one.

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*moved from “K-1 fiancé visa process and procedures” to “social security numbers” where this topic is often discussed*~*~*

[Teacake 76]

Just now, JFH said:

*~*~*moved from “K-1 fiancé visa process and procedures” to “social security numbers” where this topic is often discussed*~*~*

Sorry about that!

 

8 minutes ago, geowrian said:

The 2 week wait is mostly a relic from the past. Nowadays, electronic records are transferred almost instantly.

That said, some people still get stuck with manual verification (what the wait was meant to avoid).

 

Plan A is fine. Note that an SSN is not required to marry or file for AOS. It is only required if you have one.

 

11 minutes ago, missileman said:

The Facebook group is incorrect.  You do not have to wait 2 weeks......I would apply for the Social Security card as soon as possible.  I would choose option (A).

Thank you both! That’s the route we’ll take and hope it works out fine.

[Loren Y 2,755]

Definitely don't wait 2 weeks. When my fiancee arrived on her K1 at LAX we went to the social security office in Las Vegas,NV only 18 hours after landing, and she was already in the computer system, and had her card in 2 weeks exactly. When you go to the office they may look at the date on your I94 and say you just got here, there is no way you are in the computer yet. Don't believe them and politely but firmly ask them to check the computer for you. Our agent at the office said you just landed yesterday, no way she is in the computer, you have to come back in at least a week. I said could you please check, and he grudgingly got out of his chair went to the computer, and came back a few minuets later with a few pages printed out and a surprised look on his face saying she was in the computer, and he processed her card.

[Lana&Ivy 215]

Don't wait the 2 weeks.  I went 4 days after US entry and before wedding. They said there was a mismatch and I required manual verification.  I had the card in my mailbox 3 weeks to the day from my visit to the office.

 

After I had my marriage certificate I went back to change the card to my married name also with a mismatch requiring manual verification.  Had the new card in 2.5 weeks.  

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

Yeah; no reason to wait two weeks. Anastasia applied for hers two days after POE (and the day before our wedding) and was fine (other than taking a little while for her actual card to be delivered; it's probably a good idea for your initial documents to be mailed care of your USC fiance(e) to prevent this).

 

With electronic records, waiting won't prevent manual verification if you're going to need it, and if you do need it, you want to get started ASAP.

[Teacake 76]

31 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Yeah; no reason to wait two weeks. Anastasia applied for hers two days after POE (and the day before our wedding) and was fine (other than taking a little while for her actual card to be delivered; it's probably a good idea for your initial documents to be mailed care of your USC fiance(e) to prevent this).

 

With electronic records, waiting won't prevent manual verification if you're going to need it, and if you do need it, you want to get started ASAP.

I went today (two business days after POE) and ended up needing manual verification.  The lady said it could take 4 weeks and to come back with my receipt if I haven’t heard back in that time. Any idea why this happened?

[Teacake 76]

On 8/26/2019 at 4:13 PM, Teacake said:

I went today (two business days after POE) and ended up needing manual verification.  The lady said it could take 4 weeks and to come back with my receipt if I haven’t heard back in that time. Any idea why this happened?

For anyone who may stumble upon this thread in the future with similar concerns to mine, my manual verification did not take 4 weeks! My SAVE CaseCheck status changed to "Case Returned to Agency" on 08/31, so within the same week I'd gone to the SSA to apply. Yesterday in the mail I received a letter informing me that my card will be sent within the next two weeks.