SSN and Driving licence in NC

[AjT1 13]

Hello,

 

I have now arrived in the US, I got in on Saturday, and now I'm looking into getting my NC State licence and my SSN number. I think I understand what I need to do to get a state licence but I'm not sure if I need to have a SSN before I do. Can anyone on this wonderful forum provide any advice on this, please?

 

Also, me and my fiancee are getting married on the 6th of December. Should I wait until we are married to apply for my SSN? Or should I do it as soon as possible?

 

Thanks!

[payxibka 10,045]

19 minutes ago, AjT1 said:

Hello,

 

I have now arrived in the US, I got in on Saturday, and now I'm looking into getting my NC State licence and my SSN number. I think I understand what I need to do to get a state licence but I'm not sure if I need to have a SSN before I do. Can anyone on this wonderful forum provide any advice on this, please?

 

Also, me and my fiancee are getting married on the 6th of December. Should I wait until we are married to apply for my SSN? Or should I do it as soon as possible?

 

Thanks!

Recommended is asap 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Definitely get the SSN ASAP it will make everything easier. Every state has its own rules regarding a drivers license for new immigrants.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

2 hours ago, AjT1 said:

Hello,

 

I have now arrived in the US, I got in on Saturday, and now I'm looking into getting my NC State licence and my SSN number. I think I understand what I need to do to get a state licence but I'm not sure if I need to have a SSN before I do. Can anyone on this wonderful forum provide any advice on this, please?

 

Also, me and my fiancee are getting married on the 6th of December. Should I wait until we are married to apply for my SSN? Or should I do it as soon as possible?

 

Thanks!

Get the SSN right away. Not needed for NC DL. Getting a license in this state was a challenge for us. Some DL examiners don't know what is acceptable documents.  Learn before you go so you can stand for what is the process.  Question,  question and question. 

[Pitaya 2,577]

Get your SSN process going yesterday, if not earlier !   (see #2)

 

Here is the list of documents needed to get a new NC driver's license (NC DL):

Quote

Qualified applicants must successfully complete required knowledge, road sign recognition, vision and driving tests and take the following required documents to an NCDMV driver license office.

• One document (with full name) proving identity and date of birth
• A Social Security card or one document proving they have a Social Security number
• One document verifying physical address in North Carolina (two are required if getting an NC REAL ID)
• For individuals not born in the U.S., one document (with full name) proving legal presence/lawful status
• One document proving liability insurance coverage from a provider licensed to do business in North Carolina (not required for a learner's permit)

 

Note: An individual's name must match the name on the documents above, otherwise they must provide a proof of name change, such as a certified marriage license or certificate, divorce decree or document from the courts or Register of Deeds.

REF: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/default.aspx

 

Trying to "weave" through the requirements,  it looks like you will also need your valid passport (containing your visa) and your Form I-94 (arrival/departure record **). I can now understand what Greenbaum said about their having difficulty in obtaining a NC DL. For example, technically the K1 visa is voided upon your US arrival. Hopefully you will have access to some of the other non-immigration forms required for NC DL. Be advised that if you are successful now, the license will likely be in your maiden name, if that is of concern to you.

 

**See this link for Form I-94: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home . (Make a couple of copies, you will need them later on in your immigration journey.)

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Edited November 26, 2019 by Pitaya

[Pitaya 2,577]

To save some time, you can fill out the SS-5 application online, print it out, take it to your local SSA office, sign it, and submit it for processing.

 

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I recommend getting an appointment at your SS office as the lines can be 1-2 hours long for waiting.

[Pitaya 2,577]

7 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

I recommend getting an appointment at your SS office as the lines can be 1-2 hours long for waiting.

Very true, that is what we had to contend with. Since at the time of my wife's POE, CBP was still filling out paper I-94s longhand. It took CBP over six weeks to manually enter my wife's data into their SAVE computer system. We had multiple times in the queues at the local SSA office. Finally, it did help having the SS-5  app already filled out, it eventually  shortened our last visit considerably. 👍

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from K1 Progress Reports to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America forum; topic pertains to items post POE.