Is there a way to order new SS card without the "DHS authorization needed to work" restriction, without going to the SSA office?

[jaysaldi 213]

My wife came on a K-1 visa and got a Social Security card that says "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION."

 

She has since adjusted status and naturalized. We want to get her a new SS card without that language on it. Is there any way to do that without going into the SSA office? Can it be requested in writing, online, by phone, etc.?   They know her address and should know the person with this SS number is a US citizen now, does she have to go in person to request this?

 

The SSA website suggests that going in person is required, I wonder if that's correct and why that is necessary.

[powerpuff 6,598]

*** Thread moved to SSN forum form US citizenship forum ***
 

She must go in person. I went to change it right after I got my GC. I think it makes sense to require an in person visit for a serious matter/agency like this, it’s not like you’re changing an address or something. They want to see original documents in person to verify. If they mess up and issue someone an unrestricted SSN even if the system says so (and glitches happen) they will be responsible for it. I also don’t see how they would know she’s a citizen without having to dig for that information and I’m sure they don’t have resources for that.

Edited August 31 by powerpuff

[Sarge2155 4,584]

24 minutes ago, jaysaldi said:

My wife came on a K-1 visa and got a Social Security card that says "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION."

 

She has since adjusted status and naturalized. We want to get her a new SS card without that language on it. Is there any way to do that without going into the SSA office? Can it be requested in writing, online, by phone, etc.?   They know her address and should know the person with this SS number is a US citizen now, does she have to go in person to request this?

 

The SSA website suggests that going in person is required, I wonder if that's correct and why that is necessary.

An in-person visit is not only required it is necessary, especially after naturalization. She has to bring the original naturalization certificate with her so they can verify and make adjustments to her SS file.

[Aeroplane 9]

It’s not mandatory to change immediately

( #experts-plz Correct me if I’m wrong)

Another option, you can request for updated SSN when you apply for naturalization. There is a section on N-400 form. 

[yuna628 9,665]

4 hours ago, jaysaldi said:

My wife came on a K-1 visa and got a Social Security card that says "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION."

 

She has since adjusted status and naturalized. We want to get her a new SS card without that language on it. Is there any way to do that without going into the SSA office? Can it be requested in writing, online, by phone, etc.?   They know her address and should know the person with this SS number is a US citizen now, does she have to go in person to request this?

 

The SSA website suggests that going in person is required, I wonder if that's correct and why that is necessary.

You need to go in person and bring the citizenship certificate. It's very easy. Also take the time to update at the DMV.

[Letspaintcookies 2,308]

21 hours ago, yuna628 said:

You need to go in person and bring the citizenship certificate. It's very easy. Also take the time to update at the DMV.

Why the DMV? 

[jaysaldi 213]

On 8/31/2024 at 11:03 AM, Sarge2155 said:

An in-person visit is not only required it is necessary, especially after naturalization. She has to bring the original naturalization certificate with her so they can verify and make adjustments to her SS file.

What happens if she never goes to the SSA office and instead gets a job, uses her American passport as proof of citizenship, and then just tells the employer her SS number?

[OldUser 6,456]

4 minutes ago, jaysaldi said:

What happens if she never goes to the SSA office and instead gets a job, uses her American passport as proof of citizenship, and then just tells the employer her SS number?

To get any benefits from SSA she needs to have proper status in the system.

 

Why try creating an issue if the visit to SSA is generally considered low effort?

 

Why trying to break the rules as soon as becoming a citizen?

Edited September 4 by OldUser

[OldUser 6,456]

On 9/1/2024 at 11:21 AM, Letspaintcookies said:

Why the DMV? 

They have their own database. If license is Real ID, TSA may use it to check on person. Also, some states offer enhanced licenses showing citizenship. Simply there's only upsides for notifying DMV about legal status change.

[Sarge2155 4,584]

9 hours ago, jaysaldi said:

What happens if she never goes to the SSA office and instead gets a job, uses her American passport as proof of citizenship, and then just tells the employer her SS number?

Updating her status at the SSA office has nothing to do with her job. It has to do with any possible benefits she might be eligible for once a citizen. Why would she not go. It's probably one of the easiest things she'll ever do!

[milimelo 4,464]

12 hours ago, jaysaldi said:

What happens if she never goes to the SSA office and instead gets a job, uses her American passport as proof of citizenship, and then just tells the employer her SS number?

Why wouldn't she want to go to SSA? It benefits her to be marked as a USC in all available databases starting with SSA, then DMV, register to vote, update global entry... 

[jaysaldi 213]

We went and did this today. 1 hour 45 minute wait. I guess we could have made an appointment but I also heard that the office we went to only takes appointments by phone and that no one answered the phone.

 

I filled out the SS-5 paper ahead of time, request for new card.

 

When we checked in at the kiosk, it printed out her queue number and that ticket had a QR code to also complete the new card application online and give a confirmation number. And at the bottom it also had a "schedule appointment" button.

 

I can't find that website now though, when I click through update citizenship on card on the SSA website it doesn't prompt me to fill in the info for a new card, it just prompts me to print out the PDF and then bring it to the office.

 

Anyway, the staff member saw the SS-5 and asked for it and I said do you want the confirmation number of the online application instead an she said yes.

 

It seems like you need one or the other when you go up to the window, a completed SS-5 or a confirmation number for a completed online application, otherwise you may risk having to go back and sit down and fill out the form and wait longer.

[OldUser 6,456]

13 hours ago, jaysaldi said:

We went and did this today. 1 hour 45 minute wait.

Congrats! I'm sure it'll pay off in the future.

[kissp 8]

One more comment for others reading this. In addition to what others have already said about benefits, another reason to make sure your citizenship status is up-to-date in the SSA database is if your employer participates in e-verify. You could end up with an unnecessary conundrum because your employer isn't able to validate your employment eligibility through e-verify.

 

All you have to do is:

- fill out a replacement card form (very simple 8.5x11 form),

- show up at the office with your proof of citizenship,

- hand in the form and proof of citizenship,

- wait for like 5 minutes.

 

They told me I'd get the new card in the mail in 2 weeks, I receive the new card after 3 days. God bless America! 🙂 

[jaysaldi 213]

1 hour ago, kissp said:

One more comment for others reading this. In addition to what others have already said about benefits, another reason to make sure your citizenship status is up-to-date in the SSA database is if your employer participates in e-verify. You could end up with an unnecessary conundrum because your employer isn't able to validate your employment eligibility through e-verify.

 

All you have to do is:

- fill out a replacement card form (very simple 8.5x11 form),

- show up at the office with your proof of citizenship,

- hand in the form and proof of citizenship,

- wait for like 5 minutes.

 

They told me I'd get the new card in the mail in 2 weeks, I receive the new card after 3 days. God bless America! 🙂 

My wife's card took exactly two weeks to arrive in the mail.