SSN Woes

[SapphireDreams 71]

Well, today I went to go apply for a SSN.

The person originally wouldn't process it because she said that getting married invalidated my I-94/K1 and that I have no status so I have to wait until I get my EAD. I questioned her on that and said that I didn't think that sounded right. So, she checked with her Supervisor and came back and said she would process it and that she would have to manually confirm everything with Immigration (what I didn't really want) and that it would take 4-6 weeks.

I was under the impression that as long as my I-94 wasn't expired, regardless of if I got married or not... I could apply for one...

So basically, i think i kind of screwed myself by letting her do it manually... but at that point I really didn't want to have to go back there so I let her do it. I hope it actually doesn't take 4-6 weeks, although I'm not holding my breath.

The only thing I need a SSN for right now is a bank account for Chase which is where the hubs banks... but I think i can get Bank of America without one, so I'm going to do some research.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Yikes, that's annoying. Unfortunately, people at government offices often have no idea what they're doing. Its good you questioned her logic, and you'll still get your number, but 4-6 weeks? That's hard. I'm learning that without the SSN I can't really do much here, specifically in the ways of banking and finances. I'm going to go try next week and see what happens... I now anticipate a fight! Good luck Sapphire! Hopefully it doesn't take that long.

[Gypsyangel 11]

The same thing happened to me (manual processing) and I ended up receiving it in a little over 2 weeks. Hope it works out for you too!

[bradcanuck 1]

My SSN took 4 weeks. It was highly frustrating to deal with. It took 3 appointments to finally get everything right.

[JillA 2]

I went to the SSN armed with proof I was able to get one, since I read so many stories on here.

Scroll down to Section C on the link below - Policy.... it specifies K-1's.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

Luckily the girl at my local office was smart and knew I qualified to get one, but I had that printout just in case. I posted the link before in Poprocks thread about SSN, etc.

[Krikit 1,164]

That's normal, Sapphire. Not to worry. All of us had to be confirmed. I was told it would take a number of weeks, also, but I think I got it in something like 7-10 days.

[movingsoon2 0]

It depends who you get. I happened to get a clerk who knew what she was doing. She even said that she found a matching info for my file in the computer. I got the card in a week.

If I were you, I'd wait two weeks for the ssn to arrive in the mail. If it doesn't then go back to the office and check up on what's happening. I don't think you'll have any problems.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Well, today I went to go apply for a SSN.

The person originally wouldn't process it because she said that getting married invalidated my I-94/K1 and that I have no status so I have to wait until I get my EAD. I questioned her on that and said that I didn't think that sounded right. So, she checked with her Supervisor and came back and said she would process it and that she would have to manually confirm everything with Immigration (what I didn't really want) and that it would take 4-6 weeks.

I was under the impression that as long as my I-94 wasn't expired, regardless of if I got married or not... I could apply for one...

So basically, i think i kind of screwed myself by letting her do it manually... but at that point I really didn't want to have to go back there so I let her do it. I hope it actually doesn't take 4-6 weeks, although I'm not holding my breath.

The only thing I need a SSN for right now is a bank account for Chase which is where the hubs banks... but I think i can get Bank of America without one, so I'm going to do some research.

I WENT TODAY TOO! I posted my updated in 'moving' forum cause I had a question.... first of all...CONGRATS ON GETTING MARRIED! Wgen did you guys do it?

I too had some issues today...my lady was clueless....I managed to convince her and she did it, she said 7-10 days.... they rejected my son's app though.... something like he's not eligible... i'm hoping someone will chime in on the other forum and help with that.

I will tell you that a few other VJ'rs on here bank with Chase, and Chase is the one bank that allowed for a spouse add on without an SSN. Julybride did it... have you checked with them?

Hang in there.

In the meantime, I wrote my fiance a cheque and he cashed it, opened a new account in his name and will give me the debit card for that account.... once I get SSN he will add me and it will officially be my account....

Good luck

[BermyCat 1]

Mine went for manual processing and took 8 weeks.

I was added to Phil's bank account at Wachovia even before I had the K-1. They just take you passport number instead of your SSN. Have them call their help desk if they are confused.

You should also be able to get on your husband's health insurance without SSn, as long as you do it within 30 days (or whatever his policy says) of the wedding. Have the HR person call the insurance compnay if he/she thinks you can't be added.

~ Catherine

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

A similar thing happened to me too here in NYS, in regards to SSN card delays, when I got my 2yr green card (and had the temporary I-551 stamp in my passport right after the interview, and then got my card a week later)....

Despite that, there was a 8 week delay to verify my immigration status and to finally get my SSN card....

On top of that, they didn't tell me what the reason behind the delay was, and it was not until I bugged them about it, drove about 20 miles to the nearest SSA office in the middle of a snowstorm, that they told me what the real reason was.....

Hope this doesn't happen to any of you when you apply for your SSN...And hope that you all get your new SSN cards in time....

Lol...if it isn't one government agency...it's another with delays....blah...

Ant

P.S. SapphireDreams- Congratulations on your recent marriage! May you enjoy the happiness and success of many years of married life to come! Hope you get your new SSN card soon too. By the way, you need an SSN card before they can issue you a driver's license here in NYS, so thus, another reason why you need your SSN card soon. On the bright side, as soon as you get your SSN card, you can also do a direct Canadian driver's license transfer to a NYS American driver's license...so no need to worry about extra testing or additional requirements here.

P.P.S. Isn't there some rule about I-94s being issued for more than a certain period of time (a few months?) before the SSA can issue an SSN card? Or am I mistaken here?

Edited June 23, 2009 by AntandD

[Krikit 1,164]

I will tell you that a few other VJ'rs on here bank with Chase, and Chase is the one bank that allowed for a spouse add on without an SSN. Julybride did it... have you checked with them?

SunTrust too.

P.P.S. Isn't there some rule about I-94s being issued for more than a certain period of time (a few months?) before the SSA can issue an SSN card? Or am I mistaken here?

The SSN must be applied for within 76 days of entry..... two weeks prior to the I-94 expiration date. Any later and you have to wait for your EAD or your GC.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Thanks everyone for the information. Looks like some have waited and some haven't. I guess I'll just see what happens!

I already have health insurance, all my husband's insurance needed was our marriage certificate so I'm not that concerned about that.

The only thing really is a bank account. Since I'm not driving here in NYC, I'm fine with just waiting until I have a GC to get my DL. I'm sure there is a bank in NYC somewhere that will give me an account without a SSN, so that is my plan tomorrow. Find one!

PopRocks, I think K2 has a different qualification, but I'm not sure. I was reading some stuff today about it but I didn't really pay much attention to K2 and SSN. Maybe try googling it and see what you can find. Good Luck.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Hi Poprocks,

I posted on your other thread but I recall other Canadian VJers with a K-2 child being told that the child needed to have either the green card or the EAD in order to get a SSN. Only the K-1 qualified for a SSN with the I-94 because the K-1 might need the SSN in order to get a marriage license - the purpose of the K-1. The K-2 did not require a marriage license as their status was derivative from the K-1. If I find where that is actually stated, I will post it here, or maybe one of those othes who have experienced this situation will respond as well.

Ok - I found this link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

Edited June 23, 2009 by Kathryn41

[RYCK 0]

My first time at the ssn office was a headache ... i too printed out all the pages and stuff saying K-1 was allowed a SSN number .. and if the people behid the counter want to do things their way .. they are gonna end up doing it their way .. i went back to a different office like a month later and applied (after we were married) and they put it thru no problems... the first place i went to also stated the "we need to manually check it" stuff and said " K-1 can get it for marriage if needed for license but you don't need it in this state to get your license" and that was after showing the paperwork i printed out to the person in charge ( at least they said they were) so i just said i will come back with my EAD. Who knows it could have went fast but really didn't feel like arguing to someone who will end up doing it their own way or maybe end up treating my stuff badly or in an untimely fashion cause i acted like an #### to get my way ...

goes with my 2 rules .. "don't mess with the people who handle your food or the people who handle your important paperwork"

Hope ya get it faster than they quoted you ..

[thetreble 19]

Honestly, I think it all depends on where you live. I got told because I was in a high volume area, it would take a long time..and it did...13 weeks.

Yours probably will take awhile because it's NYC. You never know though.