K1 Visa - obtaining SSN after crossing

[Rlewis 73]

Question for anyone already in the states under a K1 visa.

 

How did you obtain your SSN card? Did you do it before or after you got married? What do you need to be able to apply for an SSN? I’ve been hearing some people say they weren’t able to get SSN card until they got their EAD/AP card and I worry about how I would be able to open a bank account without SSN due to covid delays with EAD/AP and such.

 

Any guidance would be appreciated! If anyone can give me a To Do list of what to do after arriving in the states would be awesome.

 

to give insight I am currently waiting for my passport to be mailed back so now we are looking into next steps.

[Crazy Cat 41,846]

 

Apply, if possible, soon after entry into the US.

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[JP John 65]

I applied as soon as I got here.  It was pretty simple as I went to the office and they mailed it to me a week or so later.

[Mike E 11,739]

We applied 48 hours after POE and before we married.

 

The SSA worker was not able to confirm my fiancee's status online, and I had little hope she'd get an SS card before her I-94 authorized stay expired, but 2 weeks later her card arrived, which was a blessing as it helped us to open a joint bank account, add her to my electric bill, and get her a REAL ID state ID. All helpful for proof for bonafide marriage.

 

Note that we are deferring all name changes until AFTER (not before, and not DURING) she naturalizes. This way all her government documents will have the same name.

 

Due to COVID I doubt you will be able to get an SS card as the SS offices are closed, but you can call the SSA to ask. I suspect you will be told to mail her passport, and that for me is a nonstarter.

Edited October 23, 2020 by Mike E

[Rlewis 73]

6 minutes ago, Mike E said:

We applied 48 hours after POE and before we married.

 

The SSA worker was not able to confirm my fiancee's status online, and I had little hope she'd get an SS card before her I-94 authorized stay expired, but 2 weeks later her card arrived, which was a blessing as it helped us to open a joint bank account, add her to my electric bill, and get her a REAL ID state ID. All helpful for proof for bonafide marriage.

 

Note that we are deferring all name changes until AFTER (not before, and not DURING) she naturalizes. This way all her government documents will have the same name.

 

Due to COVID I doubt you will be able to get an SS card as the SS offices are closed, but you can call the SSA to ask. I suspect you will be told to mail her passport, and that for me is a nonstarter.

I heard some say to apply 14 business days after crossing because then the information of the crossing will show up in the system. 

So did the agent had to do a manual verification then to be able to get your fiancee's SSN?

20 minutes ago, JP John said:

I applied as soon as I got here.  It was pretty simple as I went to the office and they mailed it to me a week or so later.

what did you bring as documents to apply for SSN?

[Rlewis 73]

8 minutes ago, Mike E said:

We applied 48 hours after POE and before we married.

 

The SSA worker was not able to confirm my fiancee's status online, and I had little hope she'd get an SS card before her I-94 authorized stay expired, but 2 weeks later her card arrived, which was a blessing as it helped us to open a joint bank account, add her to my electric bill, and get her a REAL ID state ID. All helpful for proof for bonafide marriage.

 

Note that we are deferring all name changes until AFTER (not before, and not DURING) she naturalizes. This way all her government documents will have the same name.

 

Due to COVID I doubt you will be able to get an SS card as the SS offices are closed, but you can call the SSA to ask. I suspect you will be told to mail her passport, and that for me is a nonstarter.

i also couldnt see this anywhere, but how long are I-94s valid for?

[Mike E 11,739]

2 minutes ago, Rlewis said:

i also couldnt see this anywhere, but how long are I-94s valid for?

A K-1 visa holder's I-94 is good for 90 days.

[Just Paul 4,595]

Just now, Mike E said:

A K-1 visa holder's I-94 is good for 90 days.

But they need to apply for the SSN prior to the 75th day of entering.

[Mike E 11,739]

4 minutes ago, Rlewis said:

I heard some say to apply 14 business days after crossing because then the information of the crossing will show up in the system. 

Yes, some say that. And conventional wisdom is that isn't needed.

 

4 minutes ago, Rlewis said:

So did the agent had to do a manual verification then to be able to get your fiancee's SSN?

As I wrote, the SSA employee was unable to verify while we were there. I don't know how she was verified.

 

4 minutes ago, Rlewis said:

what did you bring as documents to apply for SSN?

Passport, and I-94. 

[Mike E 11,739]

Just now, Paul & Mary said:

But they need to apply for the SSN prior to the 75th day of entering.

I think it is prior to getting married and prior to day 30. 

 

And practicality it has to be done within 48 hours if you want to get REAL ID, which has to done by day 30.

Day 2 - apply for SS card

Day 3+ - get married

Day 4+ - get marriage cert

Day 5+ - get SS card

Day 6+ - apply for REAL ID

 

Where 3+ < 4+ < 5+ < 6+ <= 30

 

This requires meticulous planning prior to the K-1 holder entering the USA. And is state and county specific.

 

Do not get married in Los Angeles County, period.

[Rlewis 73]

3 minutes ago, Mike E said:

I think it is prior to getting married and prior to day 30. 

 

And practicality it has to be done within 48 hours if you want to get REAL ID, which has to done by day 30.

Day 2 - apply for SS card

Day 3+ - get married

Day 4+ - get marriage cert

Day 5+ - get SS card

Day 6+ - apply for REAL ID

 

Where 3+ < 4+ < 5+ < 6+ <= 30

 

This requires meticulous planning prior to the K-1 holder entering the USA. And is state and county specific.

 

Do not get married in Los Angeles County, period.

Noted, will not get married in LA County lol. I will pass this info to my USC partner. He resides in NM currently, I assume their Real ID requirements is the same that it has to be done before/on day 30.

[Mike E 11,739]

1 hour ago, Rlewis said:

Noted, will not get married in LA County lol. I will pass this info to my USC partner. He resides in NM currently, I assume their Real ID requirements is the same that it has to be done before/on day 30.

REAL ID requirements vary by state.  

 

Your USC partner should find a county where you can be married in county office or court house and get a pick up the marriage certificate less than a week after you are married.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Just Paul 4,595]

Definitely before getting married.   SSN policy is there has to be 15 days remaining on the I-94.   So anytime before day 75 but don't wait until the last minute.  Not all offices understand the policy and you may need to try another office.

[caliliving 606]

8 hours ago, Rlewis said:

Question for anyone already in the states under a K1 visa.

 

How did you obtain your SSN card? Did you do it before or after you got married? What do you need to be able to apply for an SSN? I’ve been hearing some people say they weren’t able to get SSN card until they got their EAD/AP card and I worry about how I would be able to open a bank account without SSN due to covid delays with EAD/AP and such.

 as \

Any guidance would be appreciated! If anyone can give me a To Do list of what to do after arriving in the states would be awesome.

 

to give insight I am currently waiting for my passport to be mailed back so now we are looking into next steps.

when did you apply for your k1? you do know that once you enter and get married it is a very very long wait to get a greencard.  their is not much of a to do list as the process to get married, and apply for a greencard is a long time.  you also can not leave until you have your AP/EAD in hand.  If you have not applied that long ago, i would suggest doing the CR1 visa.  

[Rlewis 73]

4 minutes ago, caliliving said:

when did you apply for your k1? you do know that once you enter and get married it is a very very long wait to get a greencard.  their is not much of a to do list as the process to get married, and apply for a greencard is a long time.  you also can not leave until you have your AP/EAD in hand.  If you have not applied that long ago, i would suggest doing the CR1 visa.  

As stated in the last part of my post I am currently waiting for my passport to return from the consulate with my K1 visa in it. So Im just waiting for that so I can move