AOS (from K1) Questions

[smilingstone 228]

Hey all,

 

We're making a start on my AOS paperwork and I have a couple of questions:

 

1) Do I need to change my name on my SSN before filing for the AOS? I interviewed at local SSA on 6th Feb and am still waiting on the card. We got married on 16th Feb and I'm a little concerned now because I'm unsure how much longer it will take, and I may also have to factor in the time it takes to change my name on my SSN too. My K1 expiration is 17th April. The AOS forms ask if I have an SSN and, if so, what it is (or if not, if I would like USCIS to provide one). I have read that our marriage cert is all we need to evidence my change of name, but hubbie thinks that the change on my SSN is the real legal name change. Are we safe to move ahead before my SSN arrives and leave that part, or should we wait? Or should I ask USCIS to provide a new SSN with my married name, even though I have already requested one in my maiden name prior to marriage?

 

2) The forms ask about previous criminal history. I have one arrest dating back 20 years ago for shoplifting. Of course I am selecting YES for the relevant questions. Should I provide copies of my police cert and SAR that I gathered for my original embassy interview, to go alongside a written explanation of the details? This one is a little worrying as I thought I was already determined as eligible after going through vetting at the original embassy interview with this stuff.  

 

Thank you!

[MalloryCat 357]

you do not have to change your name with the SSO first.

 

you marriage certificate is a proof of name change

 

on your AOS forms in the "Your Current Legal Name" you can put your married name

and put your maiden name in the "Other Names Used Since Birth" part.

this goes for any of the forms (I-485, I-765, I-131)

 

do you know what your SSN is? cause if you already applied for one you will need it before you can submit the forms.

if you haven't gotten the card back and it has been at least 2 weeks, you might be able to go into the SSO and see if they can tell if to you verbally, that is what we did.

[smilingstone 228]

1 minute ago, MalloryCat said:

you do not have to change your name with the SSO first.

 

you marriage certificate is a proof of name change

 

on your AOS forms in the "Your Current Legal Name" you can put your married name

and put your maiden name in the "Other Names Used Since Birth" part.

this goes for any of the forms (I-485, I-765, I-131)

 

do you know what your SSN is? cause if you already applied for one you will need it before you can submit the forms.

if you haven't gotten the card back and it has been at least 2 weeks, you might be able to go into the SSO and see if they can tell if to you verbally, that is what we did.

 

Thanks for super speedy reply!

 

I thought as much on the name stuff.

 

No idea what my SSN is. When I left the SSA interview, I was just given a letter confirming I attended the appointment and that I can expect my card within 14 business days (and it's technically only been 14, not including the day I interviewed or today as it's not even 10am here...)

 

Is this something I could resolve over the phone? Visiting the SSA requires making an appointment and it's also a bit of a drive which involve hubbie taking time off work to take me.

[MalloryCat 357]

1 minute ago, smilingstone said:

 

Thanks for super speedy reply!

 

I thought as much on the name stuff.

 

No idea what my SSN is. When I left the SSA interview, I was just given a letter confirming I attended the appointment and that I can expect my card within 14 business days (and it's technically only been 14, not including the day I interviewed or today as it's not even 10am here...)

 

Is this something I could resolve over the phone? Visiting the SSA requires making an appointment and it's also a bit of a drive which involve hubbie taking time off work to take me.

you might be able to call and ask if they can see if you've been issued a number, but that would be it.

 

they can't tell you the SSN over the phone.

[SL2024 130]

With my SSN it took about 3 weeks to be received but at my appointment they gave a piece of paper to say to contact them after 4 weeks if it hadn't been received. Not sure if you got anything like that at your appointment? I did ring the local office sometime after 2 weeks and they told me it had been processed but couldn't give me the SSN over the phone for obvious reasons (I didn't ask them over the phone to give it to me though - she just told me after bringing up my details on the system) but I think if you need the number at least then you can go into your local SSA branch and ask them to provide it to you (if it has been processed yet that is).

[smilingstone 228]

1 minute ago, MalloryCat said:

you might be able to call and ask if they can see if you've been issued a number, but that would be it.

 

they can't tell you the SSN over the phone.

 

OK, I might call and ask, then just wait it out. Suppose I have no choice! 

 

Thank you.  

[SL2024 130]

5 minutes ago, smilingstone said:

 

Thanks for super speedy reply!

 

I thought as much on the name stuff.

 

No idea what my SSN is. When I left the SSA interview, I was just given a letter confirming I attended the appointment and that I can expect my card within 14 business days (and it's technically only been 14, not including the day I interviewed or today as it's not even 10am here...)

 

Is this something I could resolve over the phone? Visiting the SSA requires making an appointment and it's also a bit of a drive which involve hubbie taking time off work to take me.

 

On the piece of paper I got from my appointment it also had the SSA national number and the local office number to call. I called the local office whenever I called for an update.

 

How far is your local SSA office from you? Can you not get a family member or friend to take you? Or get an Uber?

[Rachel n Tyler 144]

Hi, someone here who had a NIGHTMARE with the SSA. So they don't tell you your number over the phone. Local or national. They said (after 2h on hold) that the national number can't do anything without your SSN. If you are waiting 4+ weeks on your card and you still have 16+ days before your I94 expires, make an appointment BEFORE that happens. After that they can not reissue the card. If you're under 16 days, you can still make an appoitnment and ask for the number in person. I personally cried before they did that because they told me I needed all documents to prove my status etc and I did not bring them because I thought it was a simple reissue appointment.

I see that you still have time before that 4 weeks, but you can always go in to ask for the number.
 

If the SSA ever issued you a number you MUST have it for your 485. Filing without is risky because it literally states this in the instructions:

'If the SSA ever issued a Social Security card to you in your name or a previously used name such as your maiden name, then you must enter the Social Security Number (SSN) from your card in Item Number 19.'

It was a HELL dealing with this when my card never got delivered.

[SL2024 130]

4 minutes ago, Rachel n Tyler said:

Hi, someone here who had a NIGHTMARE with the SSA. So they don't tell you your number over the phone. Local or national. They said (after 2h on hold) that the national number can't do anything without your SSN. If you are waiting 4+ weeks on your card and you still have 16+ days before your I94 expires, make an appointment BEFORE that happens. After that they can not reissue the card. If you're under 16 days, you can still make an appoitnment and ask for the number in person. I personally cried before they did that because they told me I needed all documents to prove my status etc and I did not bring them because I thought it was a simple reissue appointment.

I see that you still have time before that 4 weeks, but you can always go in to ask for the number.
 

If the SSA ever issued you a number you MUST have it for your 485. Filing without is risky because it literally states this in the instructions:

'If the SSA ever issued a Social Security card to you in your name or a previously used name such as your maiden name, then you must enter the Social Security Number (SSN) from your card in Item Number 19.'

It was a HELL dealing with this when my card never got delivered.

 

Have you got yours now or are you still waiting?

[Rachel n Tyler 144]

6 minutes ago, SL2024 said:

 

Have you got yours now or are you still waiting?

I got my number, not my card. Long story short, I rescheduled on Jan 6th to get my card, offices closed for president Carter, they then rescheduled me to the 16th and I was out of status on the 31st. So they basically screwed me over. I won't have a card until my EAD gets approved.. But I atleast got my number!!

[SL2024 130]

3 minutes ago, Rachel n Tyler said:

I got my number, not my card. Long story short, I rescheduled on Jan 6th to get my card, offices closed for president Carter, they then rescheduled me to the 16th and I was out of status on the 31st. So they basically screwed me over. I won't have a card until my EAD gets approved.. But I atleast got my number!!

 

Ahhh that's so annoying! And true at least you did get the card!

[K1visaHopeful 2,898]

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Hey all,

 

We're making a start on my AOS paperwork and I have a couple of questions:

 

1) Do I need to change my name on my SSN before filing for the AOS? 

 

No. Your first immigration benefit will appear in your new married name (IF you apply for it in that name).

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

I interviewed at local SSA on 6th Feb and am still waiting on the card. We got married on 16th Feb and I'm a little concerned now because I'm unsure how much longer it will take, and I may also have to factor in the time it takes to change my name on my SSN too.

99.99999% of K1s are not able to change their name on their SSN until after they receive their first immigration benefit because most SSA agents will not issue one in any name other than what is on your I94 and passport. It is 100%normal to not have a married name SSN card until you get your first immigration benefit. You can read through the many many many posts on SSN application for K1s by using the search bar.

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

My K1 expiration is 17th April.

*your I94 expires then. Your K1 visa expired the moment you entered the US.

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

The AOS forms ask if I have an SSN and, if so, what it is (or if not, if I would like USCIS to provide one).

Note that it also asks if you would like a REPLACEMENT card. That is why YOU are applying for one because you want a REPLACEMENT CARD in your new name (IF x your maiden name card does in fact come at all). And even if you don't get the one you went in person for now, you can order one this way too. Just answer the questions correctly in the moment you send off AOS.

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

I have read that our marriage cert is all we need to evidence my change of name,

Your name changed the moment you married and decided to use any names as listed on your MC. Having ID is just proof. 

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

but hubbie thinks that the change on my SSN is the real legal name change.

Your hubby is American. They all think that. It's only true for Americans. IMMIGRANTS change their immigration name FIRST (by getting their first immigration benefit (EAD or GC)) and then apply for other identifying documents like DLs/State IDs and an SSN in the married name. 

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Are we safe to move ahead before my SSN arrives and leave that part, or should we wait?

Leave it blank FOR NOW but fill it out accurately just before you mail it in case your maiden name card arrives. It must be completed regardless. 

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Or should I ask USCIS to provide a new SSN with my married name, even though I have already requested one in my maiden name prior to marriage?

No. That isn't the process. AND you may end up with none if they cancel your original application. 

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

 

2) The forms ask about previous criminal history. I have one arrest dating back 20 years ago for shoplifting. Of course I am selecting YES for the relevant questions. Should I provide copies of my police cert and SAR that I gathered for my original embassy interview,

Only if it happened IN the US.

The instructions are clear on that part.

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

to go alongside a written explanation of the details?

It it happened outside of the US, just explain.

3 hours ago, smilingstone said:

This one is a little worrying as I thought I was already determined as eligible after going through vetting at the original embassy interview with this stuff.  

 

Thank you!