Timing of K1 entry, SSN, Wedding, and AOS

[Usaph 19]

First wanted to thank this community for answering our previous questions. Our K1 interview went perfectly and processing was unbelievably quick.

 

Now we're planning our next steps and want to make sure we're doing things right. Here's what we're planning:

-Sat Oct 5: entry into US from Canada

-Mon Oct 7: apply for marriage license

-Thurs Oct 10: pick up marriage license

-Sat Oct 12: wedding!

-Mon Oct 14: submit AOS paperwork

-Fri Oct 18: apply for SSN

-Sat Oct 19: honeymoon!

 

Entry, license, wedding, and honeymoon are fixed dates at this point. We'd like to get paperwork moving asap.

 

So what about our timing of SSN and AOS paperwork? I remember reading we should wait 2 weeks from after fiancee enters US.. correct? Or should we try earlier?

 

And for AOS, some paperwork asks for SSN if we have it. By the time it's mailed, technically "yes." Should we send AOS paperwork sooner than later to get things moving, or wait until we have SSN?

 

Thanks for any guidance on this!

[Crazy Cat 41,919]

Personally, I would apply for the SSN on Tues, Oct 8..........before the marriage.  You do not have to wait...   As far as filing AOS, just make sure you do it within 90 days of arrival......but the sooner, the better.....You do not have to have a SSN to file adjustment of status.

Edited August 28, 2019 by missileman

[Georgia16 2,858]

I applied for SSN the day after we got here and had no issues and got the card pretty fast.

[Usaph 19]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Here's where I got the idea of waiting: https://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn/

Maybe that's old info?

 

So if we do SSN before marriage, we just have to go back at a later point with name change?

[yuna628 9,677]

I would apply for the SSN first.  Check your I94 and ensure everything is okay with that, print it out, and follow the SSA instructions. Ask for supervisor or try a different office if someone gives you a hard time.

Edited August 28, 2019 by yuna628

[Usaph 19]

1 minute ago, yuna628 said:

I would apply for the SSN first.  Check your I94 and ensure everything is okay with that, print it out, and follow the SSA instructions. Ask for supervisor or try a different office if someone gives you a hard time.

Gotcha, thank you!

[Just Paul 4,595]

You can't file the AOS package until you have the marriage certificate back.   If you are in Los Angeles California that can take 3 months.  

 

Find out how long it is in Pennsylvania or where you are getting married.

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

8 minutes ago, Usaph said:

Here's where I got the idea of waiting: https://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn/

Maybe that's old info?

It is; if you're going to get sent to manual verification, going later won't prevent it these days.

 

8 minutes ago, Usaph said:

So if we do SSN before marriage, we just have to go back at a later point with name change?

If you want a card with the new name, yes. Though it's common to have difficulties getting a card in your married name prior to EAD or green card even though it should be fine legally (we didn't try; we'll pick up a new card for Anastasia after she gets her green card so we can cover both getting it in her new name and getting rid of 'VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION' in one shot).

[Hank_ 9,174]

28 minutes ago, Usaph said:

Thanks for the replies.

 

Here's where I got the idea of waiting: https://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn/

Maybe that's old info?

 

So if we do SSN before marriage, we just have to go back at a later point with name change?

Since CBP went digital with the I-94 the 2 week wait isn't necessary.        Don't forget to go on the CBP website and print out your I-94 (it is your document for legal status in the USA)

 

Even though there is not a requirement by USCIS to file AOS within 90 days, legal status does end at 90 days .. once you file the I-485 the NOA receipt will give you legal status during the process.

[Limey 551]

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

You can't file the AOS package until you have the marriage certificate back.   If you are in Los Angeles California that can take 3 months.  

 

Find out how long it is in Pennsylvania or where you are getting married.

3 months? Wow, that's crazy.

Here in NC our officiant filed it after the wedding and I think we got it in the mail a few days later. I think they had a way we could do it same day, but we figured a few days was fine.

[Just Paul 4,595]

10 minutes ago, Limey said:

3 months? Wow, that's crazy.

Here in NC our officiant filed it after the wedding and I think we got it in the mail a few days later. I think they had a way we could do it same day, but we figured a few days was fine.

It all depends.   In Vegas you can get one right away.

 

We got married in Hong Kong.  Left the civil ceremony with the certificate.  Took a few weeks to get extra copies.

[JP John 65]

For us here in NC we had to wait a few weeks to get our marriage certificate mailed to us.  I am sure each state is different but we were about 3 weeks to file AOS after we were married.

[Ontarkie 14,236]

~~Moved to AOS FAmily K1/K3, from K1 P&P - The OP is planning her entry and AOS steps now.~~

[SalishSea 17,857]

2 hours ago, Usaph said:

Mon Oct 14: submit AOS paperwork

Sounds good, but you won't have the marriage cert back by this date.  It needs to be the official certified copy (or a photocopy of the certified copy) from the county, not the commemorative one from the officiant.  Plan for it to take at least 5-7 business days depending on where you live.

 

I also would go with prioritizing getting the SSN before the wedding. 

[Highmystic 234]

4 hours ago, Usaph said:

First wanted to thank this community for answering our previous questions. Our K1 interview went perfectly and processing was unbelievably quick.

 

Now we're planning our next steps and want to make sure we're doing things right. Here's what we're planning:

-Sat Oct 5: entry into US from Canada

-Mon Oct 7: apply for marriage license

-Thurs Oct 10: pick up marriage license

-Sat Oct 12: wedding!

-Mon Oct 14: submit AOS paperwork

-Fri Oct 18: apply for SSN

-Sat Oct 19: honeymoon!

 

Entry, license, wedding, and honeymoon are fixed dates at this point. We'd like to get paperwork moving asap.

 

So what about our timing of SSN and AOS paperwork? I remember reading we should wait 2 weeks from after fiancee enters US.. correct? Or should we try earlier?

 

And for AOS, some paperwork asks for SSN if we have it. By the time it's mailed, technically "yes." Should we send AOS paperwork sooner than later to get things moving, or wait until we have SSN?

 

Thanks for any guidance on this!

Wife got her SSN After marriage in her married name. That left her with one, and only one ID, her passport in her maiden name.  She had to wait until she got her EAD to be able to get anything,  named in the banking accounts,  State issued ID,  etc.  After her AOS and her GC we went back to get her ID and SS Card renewed and eliminated restrictions.   Getting the SS card in maiden name will at least give you a couple ID's in the maiden name.