Confused about steps after marriage

[SP1988 24]

Hello all hope all is doing well i was wondering if i can get some advice regarding my situation. My fiancee arrived last month on k1 visa and we got married yesterday. It seems from what i have been looking online i made a mistake by not getting SSN prior to marriage? I am going to the SSN office on monday to gather more information but since she will be taking my last name what are the next steps then? Would it be easier if she just keeps her last name?

 

Should i apply for her social now? Or do i check the box for applying for a SSN when i fill out the I-485? Keep in mind i am trying to do the fastest way possible in order for her to get her drivers license open a bank account and work as fast as possible. 
 

also does employment authorization and travel authorization all go together with i485 or are the sent or filed separately?

[Crazy Cat 41,821]

1 hour ago, SP1988 said:

Or do i check the box for applying for a SSN when i fill out the I-485?

^^This ^^^.  Best practice would have been to get the Social Security number before marriage.  The I-765 package and I-131 package can be sent along with the I-485 package. 

You can read this guide:

 

 

Edited January 20 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,821]

One more thing:  Here is the Visa Journey flowsheet  I think you are at step 18 or so:

 

 

Edited January 20 by Crazy Cat

[IWander 589]

1 hour ago, SP1988 said:

Hello all hope all is doing well i was wondering if i can get some advice regarding my situation. My fiancee arrived last month on k1 visa and we got married yesterday. It seems from what i have been looking online i made a mistake by not getting SSN prior to marriage? I am going to the SSN office on monday to gather more information but since she will be taking my last name what are the next steps then? Would it be easier if she just keeps her last name?

 

Should i apply for her social now? Or do i check the box for applying for a SSN when i fill out the I-485? Keep in mind i am trying to do the fastest way possible in order for her to get her drivers license open a bank account and work as fast as possible. 
 

also does employment authorization and travel authorization all go together with i485 or are the sent or filed separately?

If you try to get the SSN now, get it in her maiden name and then change the name later.  If you try to get it in a name other than what is currently on file with the USCIS the likelyhood of approval is next to nil 

[SP1988 24]

7 minutes ago, IWander said:

If you try to get the SSN now, get it in her maiden name and then change the name later.  If you try to get it in a name other than what is currently on file with the USCIS the likelyhood of approval is next to nil 

So do you recommend not getting it now and checking the box off in the 485 with my last name?

[IWander 589]

2 minutes ago, SP1988 said:

So do you recommend not getting it now and checking the box off in the 485 with my last name?

That is a question that you need to answer for your own individual situation.

[SP1988 24]

15 minutes ago, IWander said:

That is a question that you need to answer for your own individual situation.

Whats faster? I honestly dont care if she keeps maiden name or my last name. Shes leaning towards taking mine but we want what ever is quikcer in order to start working and what not

[OldUser 6,618]

23 minutes ago, SP1988 said:

Whats faster? I honestly dont care if she keeps maiden name or my last name. Shes leaning towards taking mine but we want what ever is quikcer in order to start working and what not

If changing name is not a big deal, I'd recommend keeping her maiden name until N-400. That way she doesn't have to update all documents in the US and passport from country of origin. Same name throughout immigration process can simplify a lot of things.

 

Applying for SSN in SSA is faster than waiting for it via I-485. With SSN in hand she can be added to bank accounts, lease etc which will help getting settled in the US and collect evidence for immigration.

 

Edited January 20 by OldUser

[K1visaHopeful 2,811]

5 hours ago, SP1988 said:

Hello all hope all is doing well i was wondering if i can get some advice regarding my situation. My fiancee arrived last month on k1 visa and we got married yesterday. It seems from what i have been looking online i made a mistake by not getting SSN prior to marriage?

That is the most common and easiest way.

5 hours ago, SP1988 said:

 

I am going to the SSN office on monday to gather more information but since she will be taking my last name what are the next steps then?

Apply as "Single" and in the maiden name. Don't openly mention you are married.

 

When you apply for I765, I131 and I485 is how you "change" her name. Immigrants must change their immigration name first. It is not done like Americans who change their SSA name first.

You input her married name as the current legal name on all immigration forms to obtain an immigration document in that name. THEN you are eligible to apply for SSA name change, DL change, etc.

 

5 hours ago, SP1988 said:

Would it be easier if she just keeps her last name?

In general, sure. But define easier. It's easy to use her married name moving forward if you follow the process. 

5 hours ago, SP1988 said:

Should i apply for her social now?

Yes. As above, single and maiden.

5 hours ago, SP1988 said:

Or do i check the box for applying for a SSN when i fill out the I-485?

YES as well!!! And I765.

Why? Because they will send a REPLACEMENT card in the new name and save you a trip to change her NAME with I765 and change her STATUS on her SSN card with I485.

 

5 hours ago, SP1988 said:

 

Keep in mind i am trying to do the fastest way possible in order for her to get her drivers license open a bank account and work as fast as possible. 
 

DL laws vary by state. It's very common for K1s to only be allowed to drive for the first 90 days. That is a huge, wellknown drawback of the K1 route.

Bank account policies vary by bank as well.

Working is dependent on I765 approval. She cannot work with just an SSN. You can check current processing times for I765 (and all other forms) on the website. 

5 hours ago, SP1988 said:

also does employment authorization and travel authorization all go together with i485 or are the sent or filed separately?

Together. Same envelope. Separated with clips.

[Timona 4,207]

If she's taking your name, easier to change her name while you send her initial package. 

 

Then just get her a SSN that way. Give or take, 2 months.

 

I mean, she just came into US. I don't see the need to get a job ASAP as she needs to get acclimated with US.

 

 

[SP1988 24]

3 hours ago, K1visaHopeful said:

That is the most common and easiest way.

Apply as "Single" and in the maiden name. Don't openly mention you are married.

 

When you apply for I765, I131 and I485 is how you "change" her name. Immigrants must change their immigration name first. It is not done like Americans who change their SSA name first.

You input her married name as the current legal name on all immigration forms to obtain an immigration document in that name. THEN you are eligible to apply for SSA name change, DL change, etc.

 

In general, sure. But define easier. It's easy to use her married name moving forward if you follow the process. 

Yes. As above, single and maiden.

YES as well!!! And I765.

Why? Because they will send a REPLACEMENT card in the new name and save you a trip to change her NAME with I765 and change her STATUS on her SSN card with I485.

 

DL laws vary by state. It's very common for K1s to only be allowed to drive for the first 90 days. That is a huge, wellknown drawback of the K1 route.

Bank account policies vary by bank as well.

Working is dependent on I765 approval. She cannot work with just an SSN. You can check current processing times for I765 (and all other forms) on the website. 

Together. Same envelope. Separated with clips.

Can you explain a bit more im confused.

 

So on i485 and 765 do i check the box of want a SSN? Or just on 485? And do i do it with my last name?

 

Do i still apply independently for SSN next week with her maiden name? Or not at all and only do it through AOS

[IWander 589]

52 minutes ago, SP1988 said:

Can you explain a bit more im confused.

 

So on i485 and 765 do i check the box of want a SSN? Or just on 485? And do i do it with my last name?

 

Do i still apply independently for SSN next week with her maiden name? Or not at all and only do it through AOS

It's your choice.  Do you want her to have an SSN NOW or later?  Only you can make that decision 

[GEOntificator 281]

7 hours ago, SP1988 said:

Whats faster? I honestly dont care if she keeps maiden name or my last name. Shes leaning towards taking mine but we want what ever is quikcer in order to start working and what not

Keeping her maiden name will save you a lot of headache down the road. It is simple and you do not have to deal with new documents and answering questions about all other names used in the past. Once she naturalizes it will become much easier as you would not have to deal with the USCIS.

[K1visaHopeful 2,811]

58 minutes ago, SP1988 said:

Can you explain a bit more im confused.

 

So on i485 and 765 do i check the box of want a SSN?

YES on both. 

You need to read the forms though. 

There is a SECTION not a single box on each form. You have to fill it out correctly based on if you apply NOW in person or not.

58 minutes ago, SP1988 said:

Or just on 485?

No!

Why? Because, as above, approval of I765 will initiate the production of a RESTRICTED SSN card BUT it will have her MARRIED name on it (whereas the one you can get NOW will only have her MAIDEN name) while approval of I485 will initiate the production of an UNRESTRICTED SSN card AND it will have her MARRIED name on it.

 

58 minutes ago, SP1988 said:

 

And do i do it with my last name?

"YES! That is how she legally "changes" her name in the US!!!!! She MUST receive an immigration benefit in her new name to get any other ID in that name. 

If a K1 wants to use their new married name legally, it starts with filling out ALL AOS forms using their new MARRIED name. 

 

58 minutes ago, SP1988 said:

Do i still apply independently for SSN next week with her maiden name?

 

YES!!!!!! AND as SINGLE NOT MARRIED. Look at the SS5 form please.

58 minutes ago, SP1988 said:

 

Or not at all and only do it through AOS

No! 

ALL.

1. NOW In person.

Before day 74 of entry to the US. In the MAIDEN name and as SINGLE.

2. On the I765.

3. On the I485.

 

You understand that you can request 10 million cards but they will all have identical SS numbers, correct?

Reading the instructions carefully. It says REPLACEMENT card not ANOTHER Card NUMBER.

If you get denied for 1 (which you have NO CONTROL over so asking what is fastest way is useless), you'll get either 2 or 3 or 2 AND 3 and you won't ever have to step foot in SSA to change her name or upgrade from restricted to unrestricted. 

 

 

 

 

[K1visaHopeful 2,811]

19 minutes ago, kvito28 said:

Keeping her maiden name will save you a lot of headache down the road. It is simple and you do not have to deal with new documents and answering questions about all other names used in the past. Once she naturalizes it will become much easier as you would not have to deal with the USCIS.

May save him some grief but his wife might not like having a different last name than any potential kids they may have. Should be up to her. Hopefully she's reading the situation so she can take control of the decision herself and hopefully can have hands on her own immigration process.