Hey guys, we just got married yesterday We are waiting for the marriage certificate so we can send it in with the neceassary forms to the immigration. I was wondering if I can apply for a ssn before I get my status adjusted for perm resident and approximately how long does it take to get the ssn? B.t.w I am cali. Any help in this matter will be appreciated.

sanita, got her social security card... a week after she was here.....a tip of the hat to Mr. MD Young, sor his help and advice...

I arrived to the USA in mid March on a K1 and waited two weeks before applying for my SSN. It arrived the first week in April. I'm not married yet and so haven't adjusted status or anything but got the SSN no problem.

That guy was helpful, whatever happened to him? LOL

Should have already have applied for the SSN, but if you want to use the married name based on K-1 status going to need the marriage certificate and have been here less than 76 days. The amount of time is going to depend on the time it takes SSA to verify your status. If you are lucky it can be done while you are in the office. If not it can take weeks or months.

These are the things you need to point out to the SSA office if going with the married name

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:

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE:

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

Note: If the applicant has changed his/her name after an immigration document, i.e. I-94, was issued, e.g., married and is now using the married name, but has not obtained a corrected immigration document showing the new name; this is not a name discrepancy for enumeration purposes, i.e. SAVE clearance, if the applicant can provide an acceptable legal name change document to establish the new name.