Do I need to update SSA with my new status?

[dkrivosheyev 0]

My fiancee just arrived 2 days ago, and we are going to get married in 3 weeks. However, prior to getting married it is recommended to obtain a SSN while still in K1 status. My fiancee already has social security number and a card from 2 years ago when she was in the U.S. Do we need to stop by social security office and update her status in their system? Elena was here on J1 visa 2 years ago and received her social security number at that time. So now we are wondering if we need to update her status with SSA?

Thank you!

[I'm Gone 60]

My fiancee just arrived 2 days ago, and we are going to get married in 3 weeks. However, prior to getting married it is recommended to obtain a SSN while still in K1 status. My fiancee already has social security number and a card from 2 years ago when she was in the U.S. Do we need to stop by social security office and update her status in their system? Elena was here on J1 visa 2 years ago and received her social security number at that time. So now we are wondering if we need to update her status with SSA?

Unless the SSN card has "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT" printed on it she OK for the time being. However, if she intends to change her name after getting married and used that name for work and taxes purposes, she will want to apply for a corrected card in that name.

DO NOT DO NOT let them take the old SSN card until she gets a new one. Say the dog ate it. LOL

Do let the SSA office jerk her around after getting married on the K-1 and wanting to apply for the name change.

Only the marriage document (foreign or domestic) is needed to establish the name change if it meets the following criteria:

-- The new name can be derived from the marriage document, i.e. bride takes the groom's last name, groom takes bride's last name, compound name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse's original name for either or both parties.

Note: State law must also allow the type of name change wishing to be made

You can refer SSA office personnel to EM-06064 for current procedures for a name change due to marriage and EM-07045:

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/public/refere...cttocategory=EM

RM 00203.210 C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name

When an alien applies for an SSN card, SSA presumes the name on the immigration document is the legal name unless the applicant presents evidence of a legal name change (e.g., marriage) that occurred after the immigration document was issued.

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE

E. PROCEDUREâ€â€ONLINE SAVE QUERY RESPONSE INFORMATION DOES NOT AGREE WITH IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT

1. Name

e. Applicant Has Changed His/Her Name But SAVE Query Response Shows Old Name

In some cases, the applicant may have changed his/her name after DHS issued the immigration document (e.g., he/she has married and is now using the spouse’s last name) but does not present an immigration document showing the new name. In these cases, the DHS system reflects the new name only when the person provided the name change information to DHS and requested to have his/her immigration record changed to show the new name. When the SAVE query response shows the old name that is shown on the immigration document presented and not the new name on the identity document presented, do not consider this a name discrepancy for enumeration purposes.

RM 00203.735 was pulled off the SSA Website, but it's still valid.

http://web.archive.org/web/20051002025945/.../lnx/0100203735

Also need to take the I-94 and passport showing the K-1 status and they will not issue a card if the K-1 status is within 14 days of expiring.

Edited December 3, 2007 by I Quit