Getting a Social Security Number after Marriage?

[AlexKat 0]

Hey everyone. Our K1 Visa process is over and we are married. I’m trying to get a Social Security Card (for valid non work reasons as required) but they require a non specific document from me to prove my arrival/status in the USA.

 

The only thing I have is the stamp on the Passport at port of entry, and our marriage certificate of course... but nothing else was issued to me.

 

Does anyone else have experience getting a SSN after marriage? I would greatly appreciate any help. Not being able to apply for/open anything in this country without it, is frustrating.

[Pitaya 2,577]

What a great and often asked question.

 

So many times when former K1 visa holders arrive in the US, this is one area that can be quite confusing. To try and help, VJ has set-up a Social Security Numbers (SSN) forum just to discuss those very issues, https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/156-social-security-numbers/  As you can imagine, it is a popular forum. I would suggest that you check out what similarly-situated folks as yourselves are doing about dealing with the Social Security Administration (SSA). 

 

If you decide that you want to visit your local SSA office and file for your SSN, go online and fill out SS-5, print it out, and take it with you, https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf . That may save you some time.

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

 

[Lebanese23 303]

i think it's easier to apply for SS before marriage because of your K1 status.  sometimes the staff at the SSA are unfamiliar about K1 visa and when you get married, your name changes and it just causes a whole lot of confusion on their end.  But it's best to try your luck. If you haven't yet, you can apply for it using the EAD application as well but you wont get it until you get your EAD.

[ineedadisplayname 503]

34 minutes ago, AlexKat said:

a non specific document from me to prove my arrival/status in the USA

That is the I-94. U can download it...

 

U wont be able to get a SSC with your married name, so use your maiden name and once u get EAD/GC go back and ask to be updated

[jaysaldi 213]

Do a google search for I 94 online and get your I 94 and print it. Bring that to the SSA office with two forms of ID, like passport and birth certificate. And don’t volunteer to them you are married, as there have been reports that some poorly informed SSA staffers will refuse to issue SSNs if they hear you are married. 

[Ontarkie 14,542]

~~moved to SSN, from K1 P&P- as the K1 is over and the OP is working on the SSN~~

[Sarge2155 4,592]

14 hours ago, AlexKat said:

Hey everyone. Our K1 Visa process is over and we are married. I’m trying to get a Social Security Card (for valid non work reasons as required) but they require a non specific document from me to prove my arrival/status in the USA.

 

The only thing I have is the stamp on the Passport at port of entry, and our marriage certificate of course... but nothing else was issued to me.

 

Does anyone else have experience getting a SSN after marriage? I would greatly appreciate any help. Not being able to apply for/open anything in this country without it, is frustrating.

 

13 hours ago, ineedadisplayname said:

That is the I-94. U can download it...

 

U wont be able to get a SSC with your married name, so use your maiden name and once u get EAD/GC go back and ask to be updated

That's right they are asking for your I-94 make sure you go apply well before your I-94 expires and again apply in the maiden name. Here is the link: Chose the link to "get Most recent I-94"

 

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

Edited November 19, 2019 by Sarge2155