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Order of events, marriage first or apply for SSN

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline

I am new to this website so I am sure this question has been asked but I just wanted to verify.

Upon entering the US on the K1 visa, does my fiancé apply for a SSN first or do we get married first? After reading a few things I am confused. Some say you get married first and some say you apply for a SSN 2 weeks after entering the US and then get married (like the timeline says).

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Naturalization Timeline
02/08/2022 - N-400 submitted online

02/09/2022 - status update (your case is being actively reviewed by USCIS)

02/09/2022 - letter received in online inbox - biometrics being reused, no appointment required

08/01/2022 - interview notice received

09/20/2022 - interview scheduled

APPROVED!

09/21/2022 - Oath Ceremony

09/21/2022 - Applied for passport book & card and registered to vote

10/29/2022 - received passport book (not expedited)

11/03/2022 - received passport card

 

 

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline

Welcome to the forum.

:guides: easily accessible at the top of the forum page. In particular, the K1 Flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Good luck on your visa journey.

Completed: K1/K2 (271 days) - AOS/EAD/AP (134 days) - ROC (279 days)

"Si vis amari, ama" - Seneca

 

 

 

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Welcome to the forum..apply first her ssn..once you get married change her last name to her married name..watch your I-94 also upon changing the last name..goodluck?

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Kenya
Timeline

I am new to this website so I am sure this question has been asked but I just wanted to verify.

Upon entering the US on the K1 visa, does my fiancé apply for a SSN first or do we get married first? After reading a few things I am confused. Some say you get married first and some say you apply for a SSN 2 weeks after entering the US and then get married (like the timeline says).

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

These are exclusive events. You don't need one for the other, so your choice. Should wait about 2 weeks after entry to apply for the SSN.

Most counties want some proof of residence in the county before they issue a marriage license, establishing a bank account and having the name added to the utility bills is what we did.

Phil (Lockport, near Chicago) and Alla (Lobnya, near Moscow)

As of Dec 7, 2009, now Zero miles apart (literally)!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Cameroon
Timeline

I am new to this website so I am sure this question has been asked but I just wanted to verify.

Upon entering the US on the K1 visa, does my fiancé apply for a SSN first or do we get married first? After reading a few things I am confused. Some say you get married first and some say you apply for a SSN 2 weeks after entering the US and then get married (like the timeline says).

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Congrats! The order doesn't really matter (unless it's a female and she is changing her name- to make the process easier) and with the 1-94 electronic now, we went to get my fiance's SSN the day after he arrived and had no problems at all! We didn't even have to wait 2 weeks.

As far as getting a marriage license, check with the county where you plan to marry- but I wouldn't think you have to be a resident of the county where you get married (i.e. show utility bills and other things that would require a SSN). I mean just think of all the people that have weddings outside where they live....not to mention Vegas weddings! We got married in Florida, where I'm originally from, but I don't reside there. It would've been cheaper to get married in Florida if we were residents, but it was in no way a requirement to be a resident to get married there.

Good luck and congrats again!

K-1


January 27, 2014 - Submitted I-129F


January 31, 2014 - NOA1


August 3, 2014- E service request submitted


August 15, 2014- E service request received back saying our case is in a processing hold due to "pending security checks"


September 3, 2014 - NOA2


September 5, 2014 - Case shipped to NVC


September 8, 2014 - NOA2 Hardcopy received


September 17, 2014- Case # assigned by NVC


September 19, 2014- Case shipped to Consulate from NVC


October 1, 2014 - Case status "Ready"


October 3, 2014 - Packet 3 received- K1 Instructions


October 15, 2014 - Packet 4 received- Appointment letter


November 4, 2014 - Interview- APPROVED!!!


November 13, 2014 - Visa in hand


November 25, 2014- POE in Washington, DC


December 18, 2014- Marriage at Courthouse



AOS


January 8, 2015- AOS NOA1


January 28, 2015- Biometrics appointment


March 4, 2015- EAD card in production


March 16, 2015- EAD card in hand


May 2015- Notice of Interview Waiver and case processing delay


September 10, 2015- RFE- lost packet given at POE! Have to redo the medical :/


October 28, 2015- Approval of AOS and card in production- online case status updated


November 2, 2015- Green card in hand!!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
Timeline

I am new to this website so I am sure this question has been asked but I just wanted to verify.

Upon entering the US on the K1 visa, does my fiancé apply for a SSN first or do we get married first? After reading a few things I am confused. Some say you get married first and some say you apply for a SSN 2 weeks after entering the US and then get married (like the timeline says).

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

We waited until after marriage and it caused a problem. The SS office refused to grant a SSN because they said she was not K1 anymore and thus not eligible until she got her EAD. We are still waiting for the EAD. Members here (you can search for my posts) have argued that the SS office was wrong and I should have insisted but I don't think it would have done any good.

I think you're better off doing it in her old name before marriage and then changing the name afterwards, as the VJ Guides recommend.

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Kenya
Timeline

We waited until after marriage and it caused a problem. The SS office refused to grant a SSN because they said she was not K1 anymore and thus not eligible until she got her EAD. We are still waiting for the EAD. Members here (you can search for my posts) have argued that the SS office was wrong and I should have insisted but I don't think it would have done any good.

I think you're better off doing it in her old name before marriage and then changing the name afterwards, as the VJ Guides recommend.

Well, yes, changing can factor into the decision. We never did that and didn't have a problem applying for the SSN first and then became married during it's processing.

Phil (Lockport, near Chicago) and Alla (Lobnya, near Moscow)

As of Dec 7, 2009, now Zero miles apart (literally)!

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I heard it's a bit easier doing it before you get married, since the people who work at the office that deal with SSN's generally don't know what day it is.

Is it still best to wait 10 days once you arrive before applying for a SSN, or because the I-94 is electronic now did that change?

Citizenship Process Timeline: 

 

Citizenship Process [1 year, 1 month and 1 day to Naturalization Certificate]

03.22.2020 - N400 sent (online)

03.22.2020 - NOA1 Received (online)

03.27.2020 - NOA1 Received (mail)

09.05.2020 - Biometrics appointment scheduled (online)

09.24.2020 - Biometrics appointment

02.02.2021 - Interview Scheduled (online)

02.06.2021 - Interview Letter Received (mail)

03.10.2021 - Interview - Approved

03.10.2021 - Oath Ceremony Scheduled (online)

03.16.2021 - Oath Ceremony Letter Received (mail)

04.23.2021 - Oath Ceremony

I am the beneficiary

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Japan
Timeline

There was thread that covered all of this and was a huge help to us. It included what databases the SS office workers need to use, and how to tell when they have made a mistake (we actually had to cover this with the employee during our second visit to the 2nd office).

We just went through this process in November and ended up using three! SS offices. The first office gave the absolutely not possible after marriage answer. However, the official SS answer was sent to us by submitting the question to the SS national office from their "contact us" link on their .gov website. The most important piece of that reply: "Note: Marriage does not affect an individual with K-1 statuss eligibility to be assigned an SSN, or issued a card.

We suggest that individuals with K-1 status apply for a corrected replacement SSN after marriage to update the SSN record to reflect the married name.

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

Bottom line, expect it to be a struggle but as long as you apply for the card before day 76 of entering the US, their policy is that the k-1 (fiancé or spouse) is entitled to a number.

If we had to do it over again, we'd have gotten the SSN 10 days-ish, after entry (before marriage) and then just taken the marriage license to the office to update the name. Know that the fiancé does not require any "special" verification. If the employee does their job correctly, they should say: "expect the card in 7-10 days". If they give you a sheet saying they need to verify info with homeland, ask to verify the information they entered (this was the problem they had with us) and try again. (The other thread covers this error in detail)

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Mexico
Timeline

Whether or not you marry first, you should apply for the SSN in the maiden name. It can help you avoid delays and hassles that way. After you file for AOS and get your EAD or green card, then go back to the SSA and change it to the married name.

Since the I-94s are now electronic, there is no longer a need to wait 2 weeks for the data to be entered by hand into the system. It is already in there now from scanning your passport.

~ Moved from K-1 Process to Social Security Numbers - topic about SSN~

Link to K-1 instructions for Ciudad Juarez, Mexico > https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/K1/CDJ_Ciudad-Juarez-2-22-2021.pdf

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Whether or not you marry first, you should apply for the SSN in the maiden name. It can help you avoid delays and hassles that way. After you file for AOS and get your EAD or green card, then go back to the SSA and change it to the married name.

Since the I-94s are now electronic, there is no longer a need to wait 2 weeks for the data to be entered by hand into the system. It is already in there now from scanning your passport.

~ Moved from K-1 Process to Social Security Numbers - topic about SSN~

^This. We applied for my then-fiancee's SS Card 2 days after her POE. It would've been earlier had her arrival not been as late in the day as it was on Dec 31 & the very next day being a Holiday.

Edited by Marco&Bettina

ROC Timeline!

Service Center : California Service Center

NOA2017-09-01

Biometrics : 2017-09-28

ROC Approved 2019-01-17

 

AOS Timeline!

Marriage : 2015-01-10

AOS/EAD/AP NOA : 2015-01-20

Biometrics : 2015-02-17

EAD/AP Approved : 2015-03-17

NPIW : 2015-06-11

AOS Approved : 2015-11-24

 

K-1 Visa Timeline!

Service Center : Texas Service Center

Transferred? No

Consulate : Frankfurt, Germany

I-129F NOA1 : 2014-03-11

I-129F NOA2 : 2014-08-12

Consulate Received : 2014-09-15

Interview Date : 2014-11-13

Interview Result : Approved

Visa Received : 2014-11-15

US Entry : 2014-12-31

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: China
Timeline

Some counties require Social Security Number to file for marriage license.

Also, the county office hassled us lightly on wanting to see her US ID or

any type of official bill with her name and current address, but she just came to US

and she had neither.

So it took some explanation and showing them the K-1 VISA, I-94, and their manager

was able to override the clerk in accepting the marriage license request.

The sequence that we took was...

1) Fiancee arrived to US

2) Applied for SSN

3) Applied for marriage license

4) Got married and received marriage certificate

5) Filed for AOS, EAD, and AP

We tried to get her last name changed 2 times at the SSA office,

after the marriage but it failed. In fact, talking to the clerk, it is set up to reject,

so we plan to return to change her last name after she get EAD.

10-04-2013 We met online
11-21-2013 We met in person in Shanghai for 2 weeks

12-13-2013 I-129F packet sent via express

12-19-2013 USCIS NOA #1 (text and email) received

12-24-2013 USCIS assigns Alien Registration Number
12-31-2013 USCIS NOA #1 hard copy received
06-02-2014 USCIS web site shows NOA #2 approval
06-06-2014 USCIS web site shows case sent to NVC

06-xx-2014 Fiancee acquired birth, marriage, and police certificates from local police station (wrong)

06-16-2014 NVC creates case with GUZ### number

06-19-2014 NVC sends case sent to Guangzhou, China
06-24-2014 Received packet 3 express mail from embassy
06-25-2014 Completed DS-160 and paid K1 visa fee

06-26-2014 Mailed packet 3 response back to Embassy

06-26-2014 Requested police certificate from Russian embassy

07-08-2014 Received packet 4 email from Embassy

07-17-2014 Picked up Russian police certificate

07-25-2014 Fiancee medical exam (received MMR & Varicella, but they missed required TD shot)

07-31-2014 Picked up medical exam reports

08-01-2014 Request (correct) birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service (GongZhengChu)

08-06-2014 Picked up birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service

08-14-2014 Passed Interview Guangzhou embassy

09-01-2014 Received passport, visa, & sealed envelope

09-13-2014 POE

09-17-2014 Went to CBP office to get (US entry) I-94 updated correctly

09-18-2014 Applied for Social Security Card
09-19-2014 Applied for Marriage License (via online)
09-25-2014 Received Social Security Card
09-30-2014 Picked up Marriage License
10-09-2014 Marriage by Justice of Peace
10-09-2014 Got Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
10-17-2014 Received a letter from SS office that they need the marriage license
10-09-2014 Applied to change the social security card name
10-24-2014 Went back to SS office to provide the marriage certificate documents again!!!
12-09-2014 Submitted AOS, EAD, and AP
12-16-2014 Received 16 emails and 16 text NOA messages
01-05-2015 Received Biometrics appointment letter for (01-12-2015)
01-12-2015 Had Biometrics (fingerprint & picture) - Required Marriage Certificate!!!
02-17-2015 EAD and AP is approved
02-23-2015 Received AP is approval letter
02-25-2015 Received EAD/AP combo card (expires 02/16/2016)
02-27-2015 Applied for SS card name change (they took her SS card)
02-27-2015 Driver's learner permit test was denied since the SS card was given to SS office for name change
03-17-2015 Received SS card with married name
03-17-2015 Started to change all her accounts to married name
03-23-2015 Received potential interview waiver letter
03-27-2015 DMV rejects learner's permit due to "legal status=pending" and vision test failure
04-05-2015 Vision test for learner's permit
04-06-2015 DPS sent us letter that DHS cleared my wife's status to acquire driver's license.
04-10-2015 Passed Driver Learner's Permit
04-22-2015 Received Driver Learner's Permit ID card (expires 02/16/2016)
08-27-2015 Green Card approved
08-31-2015 Received Green Card "Welcome Notice Was Mailed" letter
09-05-2015 Received Green card
10-26-2015 Passed Driver's License Road Test (on 3rd attempt)
11-03-2015 Received Driver's License (expires 02/16/2022)
11-06-2015 Applied to remove conditional work remark on SS card
11-23-2015 Received updated Social Security Card.
- - - - - - - - - - Pending Future Processing - - - - - - - - - -
05-27-2017 File 10 Year Green Card
08-27-2017 2 Year Green Card Expires
05-27-2018 File USC

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline

Thank you all so much for your help! I really appreciate it!

I thought with the I-94s being electronic that we could do it earlier than 2 weeks after POE. So I think we will apply for his SSN a few days after POE just so I can be assured its his I-94 is in the database, then apply for our marriage license.

Thanks again for all the input!!

Naturalization Timeline
02/08/2022 - N-400 submitted online

02/09/2022 - status update (your case is being actively reviewed by USCIS)

02/09/2022 - letter received in online inbox - biometrics being reused, no appointment required

08/01/2022 - interview notice received

09/20/2022 - interview scheduled

APPROVED!

09/21/2022 - Oath Ceremony

09/21/2022 - Applied for passport book & card and registered to vote

10/29/2022 - received passport book (not expedited)

11/03/2022 - received passport card

 

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Here's the deal. You should apply for SSN as soon as she gets in to the USA. Why? Because if you wait until you get married, chances are your beneficiary's I-94 will have expired.

If that happens then your beneficiary cannot apply for SSN until you complete the AOS forms and EAD card is in hand, which can take between 3 - 6 months depending on your service center.

IMO, I would apply right away. Some company's health insurance plans would require your spouse to have a SSN number to be added. In addition, for most financial institutions, you cant add your spouse on to your credit cards or bank accounts, or mortgages without a SSN.

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