Is getting a SSN before AOS/EAD worth delaying the process over a month?

[TannerH 3]

Hi guys, I married my fiancee who entered on a K1 this Monday (11 days after entering the country) and all of our forms are nearly ready to be mailed off when I read on here for the first time that it is recommended to get a Social Security card and putting the number on the forms before sending them off instead of just having them requested through the AOS/EAD. 

 

 

Seeing that, I scrambled to apply online for her SSN, created a login.gov account, and scheduled the first available appointment which is at the end of the month. Panic over, I read later that you don't need a SSN to get health insurance, so as far as I can tell its main purpose would be a) opening a bank account b) getting a South Carolina driver's license, neither of which are immediately essential for us.

Am I missing something, or would it be better to just kick off all the forms rather than wait until mid November to get her card? And if so do I just cancel the appointment at the Social Security Office? 

Edited October 6, 2023 by TannerH

[Crazy Cat 41,812]

Too late to apply for a SS card at a local office now.  Now that you have married, she won't be able to get a Social Security card until she has an EAD (or receives it as a result of marking the box on the I-485 or I-765)....maybe up to 8 months after applying for Adjustment of Status.  I see no reason to attend the SS office appointment now. 

A SS number is not needed to file an I-485.  File the I-485, etc. as soon as you have the paperwork ready. 

Edited October 6, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Chancy 6,241]

3 hours ago, TannerH said:

do I just cancel the appointment at the Social Security Office?

 

Since you already booked the appointment, might as well attend.  Your wife might get lucky and encounter a knowledgeable SSA employee to handle her SSN application.  That said, be prepared for disappointment too, as some VJ members who applied for SSN after getting married had trouble with the process.

 

Whatever you decide re: SSN, don't delay filing the I-485 package.  File ASAP.  As mentioned above, SSN is not required to file I-485.

 

[TannerH 3]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Too late to apply for a SS card at a local office now.  Now that you have married, she won't be able to get a Social Security card until she has an EAD (or receives it as a result of marking the box on the I-485 or I-765)....maybe up to 8 months after applying for Adjustment of Status.  I see no reason to attend the SS office appointment now. 

A SS number is not needed to file an I-485.  File the I-485, etc. as soon as you have the paperwork ready. 

 

25 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Since you already booked the appointment, might as well attend.  Your wife might get lucky and encounter a knowledgeable SSA employee to handle her SSN application.  That said, be prepared for disappointment too, as some VJ members who applied for SSN after getting married had trouble with the process.

 

Whatever you decide re: SSN, don't delay filing the I-485 package.  File ASAP.  As mentioned above, SSN is not required to file I-485.

 

 

Thanks for the advice you both! So it will be ok on the forms to put no for "Has the SSA ever issued you a Social Security card to you" and yes to "Do you want them to issue a Social Security card to you" even if by some miracle they issued her one later this month?

Edited October 6, 2023 by TannerH

[K1visaHopeful 2,810]

So your immigrant is okay with not driving or having any freedom for possibly over a year?

She's okay with bed rotting and being a complete housewife for that long. Mental health problems aren't a concern being secluded from the world while you go out and work every day?

Is this something she feels okay to discuss with you? Does she understand it will take that long?

The decision should be more hers than anyone's.

Edited October 6, 2023 by K1visaHopeful

[TannerH 3]

1 minute ago, K1visaHopeful said:

So your immigrant is okay with not driving or having any freedomfor possibly over a year?

She's okay with bed rotting and being a complete housewife for that long. Mental health problems aren't a concern being secluded from the world while you go out and work every day?

Is this something she feels okay to discuss with you? Does she understand it will take that long?

 

I am under the impression that she would be able to use her German license (with a translation) in SC for a year, and the EAD estimates I see on VJ – which is actually one of her bigger problems with this whole process and honestly ridiculous – are safely under that.

[Chancy 6,241]

8 minutes ago, TannerH said:

I am under the impression that she would be able to use her German license (with a translation) in SC for a year

 

As an AOS applicant, she is no longer considered a visitor.  As a new resident, she is required to get an SC license within 45 days of moving to the state, if she wants to drive legally -- https://scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Moving-To-SC

 

[TannerH 3]

6 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

As an AOS applicant, she is no longer considered a visitor.  As a new resident, she is required to get an SC license within 45 days of moving to the state, if she wants to drive legally -- https://scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Moving-To-SC

 

 

It's honestly crazy how you can look at so many different links and see different things. I had just read one site that implied that if you don't yet have a SSN or green card then it would be allowed, but I suppose that could be true and this rule takes precedent. Thanks. 

Edit: Even the DMV page you linked contradicts itself with what it claims it requires until you download the International Driver checklist right below the bulleted list of documents required. 

Edited October 6, 2023 by TannerH

[K1visaHopeful 2,810]

13 minutes ago, TannerH said:

 

I am under the impression that she would be able to use her German license (with a translation) in SC for a year, and the EAD estimates I see on VJ – which is actually one of her bigger problems with this whole process and honestly ridiculous – are safely under that.

As a VISITOR, that is correct. 

She is not a visitor and was not one since the moment she arrived so she cannot drive with a foreign DL (whether she has an IDP or not) AT ALL.

 

I suggest you check out the DMV website for how long she has to get a SC DL to legally drive AND also, to talk to local LEO and State Highway Patrol who would be the ones arresting her when she could not prove she has a visitor's visa stamped in her passport along with her foreign DL at a traffic stop.  

I'm talking from experience.

[K1visaHopeful 2,810]

44 minutes ago, TannerH said:

 

 

Thanks for the advice you both! So it will be ok on the forms to put no for "Has the SSA ever issued you a Social Security card to you" and yes to "Do you want them to issue a Social Security card to you" even if by some miracle they issued her one later this month?

No. That will likely result in a double issuance of SSNumber which will cause problems. 

 

That's why it's outlined to go get SSN first before marriage. 

 

She can go now, apply as SINGLE and of course, as you have to do anyways for a K1, with MAIDEN NAME only. Wait to get SSN and then file I485.

 

Answer "yes, yes" on I485 as they will send her a replacement SSN Card in married name as that's what she's applying for AOS with. 

[Ontarkie 14,217]

On 10/6/2023 at 1:14 PM, K1visaHopeful said:

No. That will likely result in a double issuance of SSNumber which will cause problems. 

 

That's why it's outlined to go get SSN first before marriage. 

 

She can go now, apply as SINGLE and of course, as you have to do anyways for a K1, with MAIDEN NAME only. Wait to get SSN and then file I485.

 

Answer "yes, yes" on I485 as they will send her a replacement SSN Card in married name as that's what she's applying for AOS with. 

Yes apply with maiden name don't confuse SSC personnel it won't hurt anything with AOS by not telling SSC.