K1 - Social Security Name Change Before AoS?

[FlattyPatty 2]

Posting in K1 subforum, please move elsewhere if not correct.

 

Got a K1 visa, immigrated, got a SSN, got married, have not applied for AoS yet.

I'm using a new name after marriage so I went down to the local Social Security Administration office to get a name change on my SSN. The clerk told me that she won't process the name change because I first need to get my name change done with "immigration", which I'm assuming means USCIS and the AoS process.

Is there no way to get a new Social Security Card after a K1 marriage but before applying for AoS? We wanted to make this straightforward for insurance, but I guess now I'll have to get on my partner's insurance using my old name, since that's who the card is out to?

[IWander 589]

1 hour ago, FlattyPatty said:

Posting in K1 subforum, please move elsewhere if not correct.

 

Got a K1 visa, immigrated, got a SSN, got married, have not applied for AoS yet.

I'm using a new name after marriage so I went down to the local Social Security Administration office to get a name change on my SSN. The clerk told me that she won't process the name change because I first need to get my name change done with "immigration", which I'm assuming means USCIS and the AoS process.

Is there no way to get a new Social Security Card after a K1 marriage but before applying for AoS? We wanted to make this straightforward for insurance, but I guess now I'll have to get on my partner's insurance using my old name, since that's who the card is out to?

Yes but only in your previous name 

[mam521 2,113]

You've essentially stumbled upon the reason many people wait until they are eligible to apply for citizenship to change their name.  

[Dashinka 24,649]

Just proceed with the AoS as soon as you can and fill out the I485/I765/I131 with the new name.  You can deal with the SSA after getting the GC as it kills two birds with one stone, you get the SSA to acknowledge the new married name, and you get rid of that DHS authorization note.

 

Good Luck! 

[IWander 589]

8 minutes ago, mam521 said:

You've essentially stumbled upon the reason many people wait until they are eligible to apply for citizenship to change their name.  

My wife changed her name upon marriage and had no issues with SSA getting the card issued in her new name.  We applied for the initial card within 78 days after her arrival and then when she received her GC in her married name, we went back and had it reissued with the married name and had the "Valid for work only...." verbiage removed.

[OldUser 6,999]

1 hour ago, mam521 said:

You've essentially stumbled upon the reason many people wait until they are eligible to apply for citizenship to change their name.  

That's one of the reasons. Another reason is foreign documents in maiden name, such as passport. In some countries it's a hassle to update name. And for Indian citizens for example, it doesn't make sense to go through this whole thing if they cannot hold dual citizenship after naturalizing in the US.

 

Also, an unpopular opinion... The blunt truth is, considering half of marriages in the US fall apart, and this is more likely in the initial 2-5 years, it may be a hassle for an immigrant to change names back and forth. When somebody changes their name at naturalization stage, it's a more consious decision not related to immigration at all. At that point the marriage is typically stronger and one can make such a big change to their identity without a doubt.

[Dashinka 24,649]

1 hour ago, IWander said:

My wife changed her name upon marriage and had no issues with SSA getting the card issued in her new name.  We applied for the initial card within 78 days after her arrival and then when she received her GC in her married name, we went back and had it reissued with the married name and had the "Valid for work only...." verbiage removed.

Exactly, but theoretically, the SSA should also change the name based on marriage even if the person has not received their GC yet, but for some reason they have an issue with that.  My wife did the exact same thing as your wife after she received her GC.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

You can get your name changed with submitting original bc and marriage certificate. No other issues to change it. You don’t need new SSN to file for AOS. You keep the same number.