Name change on green card but SSA says not in computer

[Eddie y Gabriela 0]

Strange matter here that maybe we can all learn from.

OK, my wife is issued her GC two months ago in her married name. We go to the Social Security office to change her SS card from her maiden name to her married name, and the SS office says they can't do it, because USCIS hasn't "updated" my wife's name to her married name.

I find that impossible to believe because the married name is on the GC. Also, in the Munich airport recently, US immigration stopped my wife because the airline tickets didn't match her passport name (still the maiden name), but, when given the GC, looked in the computer and said, "Oh, here you are." That tells me she's in a CIS database with her married name.

But the SS woman shows me a printout from the computer, and, lo and behold, the maiden name is right there.

She says I need to call CIS to tell them to update my wife's name. I think she's crazy if she thinks I can call CIS and get this squared away. I'm beginning to think about not updating the SS card at all. After all, I know my wife can travel.

Thoughts? Advice? Experience with this?

Thanks,

[YuAndDan 153]

Info pass and get it corrected with USCIS, a member on another site has same problem.

[Jasman0717 9]

Wow, normally that is all SSA needs to process...GC.

[YuAndDan 153]

Wow, normally that is all SSA needs to process...GC.

In our case, we brought Marriage cert, I-94 and passport and applied for SSN in married name before AOS filing, SSA had no problem with this.

[cutiebanker 0]

Wow, normally that is all SSA needs to process...GC.

In our case, we brought Marriage cert, I-94 and passport and applied for SSN in married name before AOS filing, SSA had no problem with this.

indeed, if you had a social security card before AOS, you would usually bump into more trouble when you wanna have a replacement SSC for the sake of name change. the computer system at SS office sucks big time. it's a set format that will only allow their clearks to make limited changes.

Eddie--if i were you, i would still try to make the name change for her SSC though she's now allowed to travel and work legally (perhaps you can start from making infopass appointment w USCIS local office in attemp to clarify the confusions and ask them to help update the info). i guess because i'm afraid that the dealy in correcting the inconsistency in names might cause bigger probs in the future. plus, which name of hers are you gonna put down when you file taxes next year now that you're eligible for married couple tax duduction. how about her driver's license? well maybe i think too much. but it's up to you. good luck anyway.

Edited November 7, 2007 by cutiebanker

[eau_xplain 2]

Sometimes the SAVE system that SSA uses to verify immigration status is not updated. The correct procedure would be for SSA to send an electronic request for verification. If, after two weeks they do not get a reply, they are supposed to do a manual verification.

Go back to that SSA office and find out where they are on the verification issue. IF they have not sent out manual verification yet, insist on it and then follow up again after two weeks.