How quickly can we marry?

[~Nini~ 2]

I've heard of many people applying in their married name and they haven't had problems getting the SSN. It might be easier to file under the maiden name, but certainly there's nothing preventing you from filing with the married name.

[Cassie 8]

I've heard of many people applying in their married name and they haven't had problems getting the SSN. It might be easier to file under the maiden name, but certainly there's nothing preventing you from filing with the married name.

I got my SSN a month after we got married, with no troubles at all. Got it in the mail 8 days later.

To the OP: we got married 6 days after I entered in the US.

[zqt3344 21]

yes you heard me correctly

I know we have 90 days in which to marry, but how quickly can we marry after arrival.. what i am really asking is, does he need a social security number set up to marry me? We're ready to go and would like to do it asap so we can move on with work authorization, adjustment of status..

thanks!

I guess i should make a point in saying we have a K-1 visa and he's already arrived in the US

ANYTIME after his arrival in USA you can get married ASAP if you chose to.

[payxibka 10,045]

I suggest at least waiting until you apply for the SSN. The SSN takes a few days because the person entering on the visa needs to show up in "the system". If you try to apply for the SSN after you get married the name change becomes a problem if the fiancee entered under a different name (if fiancee is a woman, assuming she changes her name). I have heard some really frustrated people falling under the SSN name change trap. Its not going to prevent you from marrying when you want but in my view its best to just wait a week or two and get the SSN paperwork squared away first.

If the foreigner is a man or you aren't changing the name then the 2nd poster says the rest of what I would otherwise say. If you are doing it just to start work earlier, fly through JFK to get the work stamp.

What is the "SSN name change trap"? Are you implying that the wife couldn't get an SSN (and I think that would prevent AoS)?

Let's be clear here, a SSN is NOT required for AOS.....

The "name trap" is that SSA must verify your status with DHS. If your names are different, it is much more difficult to do so.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

So if one applied for a SSN lets say 2 weeks after moving to the States, and has not gotten married yet; would you apply in your married name? Then get married?

Or would you apply for your SSN in your maiden name, get married, then change your name to your married name on your SSN after the wedding?

Or is it best to just wait to file your SSN till after you get married and apply for the whole she-bang, AOS and SSN all at once?

Edited November 28, 2007 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Tinkerbelle 0]

I'm confused

Can i work with my K-1 visa as soon as i get married or do i have to go through another series of red tapes once in the USA?

[mox 298]

So if one applied for a SSN lets say 2 weeks after moving to the States, and has not gotten married yet; would you apply in your married name? Then get married?

Or would you apply for your SSN in your maiden name, get married, then change your name to your married name on your SSN after the wedding?

Yes, you'd apply in your maiden name, get married, then change your SSN to your married name.

Or is it best to just wait to file your SSN till after you get married and apply for the whole she-bang, AOS and SSN all at once?

I think circumstances would dictate that. If you need your SSN before getting married (up to 3 months is a long time to go without one) then it's necessary.

[payxibka 10,045]

So if one applied for a SSN lets say 2 weeks after moving to the States, and has not gotten married yet; would you apply in your married name? Then get married?

Or would you apply for your SSN in your maiden name, get married, then change your name to your married name on your SSN after the wedding?

Or is it best to just wait to file your SSN till after you get married and apply for the whole she-bang, AOS and SSN all at once?

It is much easier to change your name with SSA later. Here is a typical scenario for a K-1.

1) Apply for SSN about two weeks after arrival using name that your visa was issued with.

2) Get married.

3) File AOS in married name.

4) Get green card.

5) Update immigrant status and change name with SSA.

[rebeccajo 14]

As soon as you can get marriage license.

In NY there is a 24 hour wait after getting the license before being able to use it.

Also some states require both parties to have SSN before issuing a marriage license, this is a big reason why K-1 is a work authorized, to allow K-1 holder to get SSN. So if you live in an area that requires SSN for marriage license, then you have to add in the extra time it takes to get the SSN.

Note: K-1 work authorization has come up recently, USCIS has change the employer requirements on form I-9.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=97730&hl=

And it's not clear yet what those new requirements mean.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Thanks Mox and fwaguy!

Huge help

[LizC 0]

This is perhaps a dumb question. If the fiance is male, I'm assuming the name changing thing doesn't make such a huge difference... If I change my name before the green card process is complete, would there be a problem?

[payxibka 10,045]

This is perhaps a dumb question. If the fiance is male, I'm assuming the name changing thing doesn't make such a huge difference... If I change my name before the green card process is complete, would there be a problem?

Name changes appear to provide the greatest heartburn versus whether you are male or female. Bottom line is that if your "applied for" name does not presently agree with what the USCIS has recorded for you, expect that you will have some potential delays.

[BishopMnA 0]

We live in Michigan, but just 2 miles past the border with Ohio.

I looked up 'how to get married' in both Ohio and Michigan. Michigan law required a Social Security # before you could get married. Ohio didn't require anything at all. I guess Ohio is the 'Vegas of the Midwest' <HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!>

So, we married in Ohio. We then waited until we received the marriage certificate in the mail...which was about 2 weeks later. Then we went to the SS office and applied. While applying for SS, the lady asked if we would like the SS card in the married name. We said yes. So our SS card was issued in her married name.

For us, it was easy. I hope it is easy for you as well but be sure to find out what the laws in your state require.

Peace to you guys,

Mark-N-AAm

[SHELLYandFCO 0]

My hubby received his Social Security card before we married which was a week after entry. Two weeks later we married with only his passport, birth certificate and my birth certificate. Differs from state to state.

[Melyssa 0]

yes you heard me correctly

I know we have 90 days in which to marry, but how quickly can we marry after arrival.. what i am really asking is, does he need a social security number set up to marry me? We're ready to go and would like to do it asap so we can move on with work authorization, adjustment of status..

thanks!

You can marry right away, just get yourself a marriage license in the state you want to marry in. Word of advice, apply for his SSN before you marry, afterwards they might not give him one until he gets his EAD or GC. You don't have to wait for it to come, just apply while he's still in status with his K1.

Michaela

Just wondering - why wouldn't they issue him one after they got married? (Just curious - we got married right away and are looking into applying for a SSN before I get anything approved if possible)

As soon as you can get marriage license.

In NY there is a 24 hour wait after getting the license before being able to use it.

Also some states require both parties to have SSN before issuing a marriage license, this is a big reason why K-1 is a work authorized, to allow K-1 holder to get SSN. So if you live in an area that requires SSN for marriage license, then you have to add in the extra time it takes to get the SSN.

Note: K-1 work authorization has come up recently, USCIS has change the employer requirements on form I-9.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=97730&hl=

Oh really??? Wow, I should check that out. Hmmmm