how long does it usually take for your social security card to arrive by mail?? (in california)

Hard to tell... I got mine in 8 days... I have a friend though who waited 7 weeks.

The first time i applied it took a week. After I came here on K1 visa and had my name changed, it took 4 weeks to receive the new card coz they say they have to verify your status with the immigration.

thanks.. thats a big difference... 8 days and 7 weeks and 1 week and 4 weeks.. but i guess thats not bad.. thanks Liebe and DeeZee

Are you asking how long after the SSN has been assigned, which is normally within 2 weeks or to complete the whole process once you have applied, which could be anytime from a few days to months to receive the card?

got mine in about 4 days.

This is my 8th week and we are still waiting for ours

Ran across a guy today that applied 11/11/2007 and it looks like he's finally going to be assigned an SSN and he would still be waiting if some nice man hadn't contacted the local office to tell them status had verified.

So bottom line, a couple weeks is probably the norm, but it's not a sure thing.

Got mine in 6 days (but I'm not in CA, in NY)