SSN + Covid Restrictions + MArriage

[Liam&Lizz 36]

Hello all I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post on or if it should be in the K1 area but I'll start my inquiry here. My fiance made it to the US (finally ) on a K1 NIE on April 9th. I got him added to my credit card no problem, t omy bank account with a little issue (had to fill out some crazy form and wait an hour). I would like for him to get a SSN before we get married May 21st. I wanted to know:

 - if we are able to make an appointment with our local office do they retain any original documents or do they look/copy and return? 

 - If they approve the application (SS5 or some such) do we need to wait for it to be in hand to get married/ or is it a matter or once they approve it we can marry and just wait for it to come in the mail?

I guess I'm just a little confused on the timing as we have been flip flopping if we should get in now or when we file AOS.  Thanks for any advice!

 

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*SSN question moved from “adjustment of status from K visas” to “social security numbers”*~*~*

[Wuozopo 4,293]

9 hours ago, Liam&Lizz said:

if we are able to make an appointment with our local office do they retain any original documents or do they look/copy and return? 

 - If they approve the application (SS5 or some such) do we need to wait for it to be in hand to get married/ or is it a matter or once they approve it we can marry and just wait for it to come in the mail?

I guess I'm just a little confused on the timing as we have been flip flopping if we should get in now or when we file AOS.  Thanks for any advice!

Your original documents are returned.

 

Getting a SSN soon after entry can be a useful thing. There is no requirement that it be received (or applied for)  before marriage. A K1 is eligible for a SSN up until 2 weeks before their 90 day entry ends.  The advice on before marriage is more about a few SSA workers who give wrong info like “Oh you got married so are no longer a K1. You’re a K3”. Not true. Your visa doesn’t magically change numbers. Or when the visa holder is a woman who changes her last name at marriage and tries to get the married name on her SSN card. The SSN name has to match the USCIS name on file which is the maiden name, the visa entry name. In those cases, the new bride should apply in her maiden name and fix the last name later when USCIS issues the greencard in the married name. Then the official USCIS record is no longer maiden name.