Problems with SSN name change

[arya 22]

Hi everyone, I hope someone can help me with this. I have been trying to change my name on my SSN card since April because I wasn't able to get a driver's license in my new name until SSN is in the new name. SS won't change it until they get authorization from Department of Homeland Security. I just got my EAD card today so I called SS and they say the authorization is still pending. They don't know why it's still not authorized. She gave me a phone number to call them but when I do I have to talk to a machine and I don't see a way to talk to a real person. I need my SS card name changed because they won't give me a driver's license until that's done. My Canadian DL expired in May so I can't drive. Has anyone had similar experience as me and what have you done? Would SS office be able to give me some kind of a letter that Secretary of State can use as a proof that my name change is pending, and will they accept it? I really need to be able to drive since there is virtually no public transport where I live.

[I'm Gone 60]

I have been trying to change my name on my SSN card since April because I wasn't able to get a driver's license in my new name until SSN is in the new name. SS won't change it until they get authorization from Department of Homeland Security. I just got my EAD card today so I called SS and they say the authorization is still pending. They don't know why it's still not authorized. She gave me a phone number to call them but when I do I have to talk to a machine and I don't see a way to talk to a real person.

Before the SSA office can process the application, your immigration status needs to be verified and without knowing specifically why it's not verifing it's hard to tell what is the problem.

In most cases if they can't verify your status while you are in the office, they submit a secondary electronic verification request that normally comes back within a week. If that verifies, they clear the application, if immigration requests to see a copy of the immigration document, a photocopy of the front and back of the document is mailed along with Form G-845. The SSA office needs to allow a month for a response on the G-845.

In some cases with people that have filed AOS from K-1 status and the EAD card is issued, but the AOS is still pending, the secondary electronic verification show "Application Pending" instead of being employment authorized. The SSN application is denied. So if this is the case, you might need to wait until your AOS has been apporoved to be issued an SSN card in your married name.

However, if they deny the application, you can then apply to have the name changed on the SSN record, but you will not be issued a card.

RM 10211.605A Correcting Numident data when a replacement card cannot be issued:

Although the Field Office cannot issue a replacement card, you may correct the Numident (SSN record) if the alien provides documentation supporting the change, for example, a name change.

If the alien provides documentation supporting the change, process the replacement card application to update the Numident information but suppress the issuance of a card.

Provide written notice, using Form SSA-L676, to explain that we cannot issue a replacement card because the applicant did not present appropriate authorization permitting him or her to work in the U.S. and has not provided evidence of a valid nonwork reason for an SSN.

RM 10211.605 Request for a Replacement SSN Card Obtained for a Nonwork Purpose

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211605

We accept all marriage documents issued within the 50 United States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

RM 10212.025 Evidence of Name Change based on a US Ceremonial Marriage:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212025

SSA can accepts a name change document based on marriage as evidence of the new name to be shown on the card, if the new name can be derived from the marriage document.

Any of the following changes to the last name, using the names shown on the evidence, are permitted:

-- bride takes the groom’s last name;

-- groom takes bride’s last name;

-- spouse or partner takes the other parties’ last name;

-- spouse or partner takes one part of the other parties’ compound

surname;

-- compound name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse’s or partner’s

original surname for either or both parties

Example:

Lisa Foster submits evidence of the name change event, her US ceremonial marriage to Bryan Lee-Walsh. She wants to change her surname to a compound surname, Foster Lee, with only part of Bryan’s surname. Since this new name can be derived from the prior names shown on the marriage document, the marriage document is acceptable evidence of the new name. We may also change Lisa’s surname to one of the following if she requests it:

-- WALSH,

-- LEE-WALSH (or reverse, with or without space or hyphen),

-- LEE FOSTER (with or without space or hyphen, Foster Lee could also

have a hyphen or not have a space)

-- FOSTER WALSH (or reverse, with or without space or hyphen)

-- FOSTER LEE WALSH (in any order, with or without spaces or hyphens)

The marriage document can also be used as acceptable evidence of identity, if it shows Lisa’s prior name (Lisa Foster) and either her age, birth date, or parents’ names, that matches the data on the SSN record, and the marriage took place within the prior two years.

RM 10212.055 Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN based on Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partnership:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212055

Once your SSN record has been corrected, you can request an SSN Verification Printout, which will provide you with proof of your SSN and the name that currently appears on the record until you are eligible to be issued an SSN card.

[Briggi 0]

Did you use your old/maiden name when you applied for the EAD? If your EAD card has your maiden name on it, you have to issue the DL with your maiden name. I think this is not a big deal as long as you can still legally drive here right. I went to the SSA office and asked for name change and the person who assisted me told me that I can only change the name once USCIS changed the name in their system. He told me USCIS go first, then SSA, then DL, then others. But I saw some cases here that people changed their name on SS card before notified USCIS.

[arya 22]

I used my married name for EAD. I tried to get my driver's license in my maiden name a while back but they wouldn't do it since I already started my AOS and they said that they can't go against SS office since my name change is pending with them. I just hope I don't have to wait till my AOS is finished, that would be another 1.5 months of waiting probably.

[engineer21 51]

Oh man, and I was just about to call my local SS office to have my name changed.

Funny.. I didn't know there was a chain of command when it comes to name change.

I will tell you though, that just yesterday I changed my DL from maiden to married name and it was easy peasy..

The lady asked if I've changed my name on my SS, I said no, she said OK I will override it, and printed me a temporary DL with my married name.

I wonder though.. I filed for AOS using my married name. So technically USCIS has it, right?

What name did you use to file AOS?

[arya 22]

I used my married name for AOS and I just got my EAD in my married name, so I'm sure USCIS has approved my name change, it's just not registering with SS office. I'm going to go to SoS when my husband comes home and see if they will reconsider.

[engineer21 51]

I just took a peek at your timeline. Looks like you're about a month ahead of me with AOS.

Hope you can change your name soon!

I'm gonna watch this thread Keep us posted!

[I'm Gone 60]

I will tell you though, that just yesterday I changed my DL from maiden to married name and it was easy peasy..

The lady asked if I've changed my name on my SS, I said no, she said OK I will override it, and printed me a temporary DL with my married name.

Each state determines the rules for issuing driver's licenses (DL), so some states might have less restrictive rules than others.

Most states verify the DL application info against the SSN record, some might say it must match, others such as yours let some things slide.

[arya 22]

I went to SoS last night and they couldn't verify my EAD so they took a copy and sent it to Lansing. The lady will talk to the big guns today and call me and let me know if they'll approve it. I went to SS office this morning, they can't verify my EAD either so now again I have to wait for weeks until it verifies so that they can change my name. This is so frustrating. Until they change my name, I won't be able to get a DL.

[mrs. wife! 3]

I live in Maryland and went to MVA to change my name on my DL and the lady said I had to change my SSN first.

Then I went to the SS office with my marriage license and my passport (with name changed already) and she didnt even want to see the marriage license. She only asked if I had any documents from Homeland Security with my new name and I showed her my visa.

She changed on the system and said to wait 10 days to receive a new card on the mail.

I think it depends on what kind of person you get there. Some are easier and some are not.

I'd say wait till your AOS is finished or try to do it with a copy of your NOA if it has your new name on it. Maybe they can update it - since the lady asked me if I had anything from USCIS with my new name.... who knows....

Good luck to you dear!

[I'm Gone 60]

Then I went to the SS office with my marriage license and my passport (with name changed already) and she didnt even want to see the marriage license. She only asked if I had any documents from Homeland Security with my new name and I showed her my visa.

I'd say wait till your AOS is finished or try to do it with a copy of your NOA if it has your new name on it. Maybe they can update it - since the lady asked me if I had anything from USCIS with my new name.... who knows....

SSA will not accept an application filing receipt or notice of action as evidence of an immigration document, or an immigration document with a valid from date in the future.

Edited June 17, 2010 by I Quit