Name Change Challenges

[S&J@2020 35]

My wife wants to update her records with the social security administration from her maiden to married name. Problem is, she's asked to provide only originals of her marriage certificate. Our worry is, what if they lose it? Or even delay in giving it back to us? 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

15 minutes ago, S&J@2020 said:

My wife wants to update her records with the social security administration from her maiden to married name. Problem is, she's asked to provide only originals of her marriage certificate. Our worry is, what if they lose it? Or even delay in giving it back to us? 

Maybe it's different in your state, but I'm in Cali and all I had to do was bring it to the office. They took it to verify it or whatever they did and handed it back to me and said my new SSN card with my married name will be sent through the mail. They didn't keep it or anything.

[PrincyE 87]

just make sure you make 3 or more certified copies of  the marriage certificate since you guys have to mail in the application anyway since offices are closed they won’t mail it back! I’m in the process of changing my name also  and they accepted my certified copy! 

[Sunnyland 639]

They probably just want to see it and make a copy of it there. That is what they did with mine many years ago when I had to show it to them. You can always get extra copies (certified copy) of you marriage certificate at the courthouse.  When we got married we ordered extra copies at the courthouse because we knew we were gonna need them for AOS, etc.

 

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

42 minutes ago, S&J@2020 said:

My wife wants to update her records with the social security administration from her maiden to married name. Problem is, she's asked to provide only originals of her marriage certificate. Our worry is, what if they lose it? Or even delay in giving it back to us? 

Policy requirement.  They will only accept an original marriage certificate or an original certified copy.  

[S&J@2020 35]

38 minutes ago, PrincyE said:

just make sure you make 3 or more certified copies of  the marriage certificate since you guys have to mail in the application anyway since offices are closed they won’t mail it back! I’m in the process of changing my name also  and they accepted my certified copy! 

I think we've no option than to send the original to them and make copies for the i130 stage since USCIS accepts copies. Thanks very much for the reply. 

[S&J@2020 35]

43 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

Maybe it's different in your state, but I'm in Cali and all I had to do was bring it to the office. They took it to verify it or whatever they did and handed it back to me and said my new SSN card with my married name will be sent through the mail. They didn't keep it or anything.

My wife's in Michigan. She can't walk in to even seek for more info. She calls their help desk and is told to hold on forever.