If you read my earlier post about our trip to the local SS office, you found out immigration input my fiancees name incorrectly into the computer, and SS was reluctant to issue her a card. They wanted us to fix her name with immigration before applying for the SS card. Luckily, the guy at our local SS office was able get supervisor approval and process our application with her correct name. Nice guy, and he went the extra mile.
Our next experience wasn't so pleasant.

I took my fiancee to the local Social Security office almost 4 weeks ago to apply for her SS card.
The letter they gave us said it would be arriving in the mail in about 2 weeks.
After 3 weeks, we went back to the SS office and waited almost two hours to talk with someone.
We initially asked to make an appointment, but they won't allow appointments for this type of thing.
So we waited, and waited, and waited. Our local SS office has 8 windows for customer service, but only 3 c/s employees actually working. Our tax dollars hard a work. What a laugh!!!!
So we finally get called and I explain to the lady at the window that we've waited almost 4 weeks and haven't received the SS card, and if she can do anything to help. She starts rattling on about the mail carrier, and maybe they dropped it at the wrong address, or, since my fiancee's name wasn't on the mailbox at our home, maybe the mail carrier returned it. Blah, blah, blah......

In my job, I work very closely with the DHS/CBP, and one thing I can tell you is federal employees will not take personl responsiblity for anything that goes wrong. Pass the buck....
I couldn't get a word in. She just kept flapping he trap. Then she discovered the name mismatch in the system, and wnet on and on about that.
Well, eventually, she went up for air, and I blurted out "Did the main office assign her a SS number? Can you check please?"
They did give me fiancee a SS number. Well, at least that's some consolation.
The SS lady did request another card be mailed, and she suggested we have it mailed to the local SS office, instead of my home. Good idea. She gave us a number to call in 2 weeks to check if the card arrived so I can pick it up. Sure hope it makes it this time.
BTW, does the envelope the SS card is mailed in have a return address of the Social Security Administration, or any indication it may be a SS card inside? I am worried someone else may end up using her SS number.

Well truthfully once the envelope is turned over to the Post Office it's pretty much out of SSA's hands. I hope you don't think someone ran out to the mailbox with your fiancé's card once it was printed and forgot to mail it. LOL

The envelope does have an SSA return address and the number holder's name and address showing through the envelope window. Nothing that would identify it as an SSN card unless the person was familiar with the P.O. Box of the return address.

Chances are it was returned and destroyed.

Did you get the number? We had almost exactly the same story and it took us quite some time to get it fixed. In the mean time we found the number to be quite useful.

Yes, I did get the SS#. However, I need the actual SS card in order to get her state ID and DL.
Like I siad, SS headquarters is supposed to mail the card to our local SS office in about 2 weeks.

I have the same experience, they gave me the number but the card I haven't receive it. I applied last July 12, 2006.

They spell my name wrong ( during POE ).... So they said they will use the name entered at POE.... =(

So I got my ss card with a wrong name.... they said to come back to get it fixed once I got eitehr my AP or Green Card.... ( or maybe the receipt notice Im not sure ) Im going to ask again...


But so far I have no trouble using the ss#..... except I cant get the state ID cua they want we to renew the I-94 form........ (???) I came here under K1 and my I-94 just expired last week....

How about an SSN Verification Printout? Not the same as an SSN card, but will verify her SSN and name. Might work if it takes a while to get the replacement card. If you do ask your local SSA office for one, be sure say it's for an employer or they might try saying you have to pay for it.




If you haven't received the SSN card within 14 days of the date the SSN was assigned you better head back into the SSA office with your documents. If your status isn't expired or within 14 days of expiring you came be issued a replacement card. Plus offices normally hold SSN applications for a month before they are sent to be microprinted and achived, so you might not even need to complete another application.

Ask for the SSN Verification Printout, that way you have something until you receive a replacement card.

Your name was spelled wrong on your I-94? Now you will need an EAD card or I-551 card or stamp to fix it.

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210
RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data

C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name

In cases where an alien applies for a replacement SSN card and submits an immigration document showing a name that is different from the name on the prior Numident record, accept the immigration document as evidence of the legal name. In these cases, the prior SSN card may have been issued in a name that was not the NH’s legal name.
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However, if your name was misspelled on the I-94 they could have let you apply with your correctly spelled name and just sent the G-845 to verify the I-94 and your status. Did the name in SAVE match the I-94? Was the mispelling more than one letter?

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203200
RM 00203.200 Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card

G. Procedure – Examining, Evaluating, and Verifying the Document Submitted as Evidence of Identity

3. Compare the Information on the Identity Document with Information on the SS-5 Submitted and the Applicant

If the information on the identity document differs from the data on the SS-5 or the data Numident record, the applicant’s true identity or the validity of the document submitted to establish identity is questionable. In this situation, request additional evidence or verify the identity document with the issuing source even when the applicant submits a document that is normally considered acceptable evidence.

The same thing happed to us. His name was misspelled when we actually received the card. We went back to the SS office and she went ahead and made the change with no problems. (except that was last week and we have not received the card yet...I will let you know in a few weeks.... ) She said it was misspelled by immigration.

Just a word of caution...I see you went through California so if you actually LIVE in California, you will not get the State ID or Drivers License until after you receive Green Card/EAD. California has some weird laws and they look at the I-94 expiration date. Since the expiration date is in 90 days (if you arrived on K-1 Visa), they won't issue it!!!! Just a warning of caution because we went through all of that last Wednesday and it really annoyed us...........then someone on this site suggested we look t the Califonia DMV laws on line and sure enough...they were right...No ID Card or DL until EAD/Green card......at least in good old Cali....

Did the SSA office misspell the name when they entered the application info or made him apply with the name misspelled? Big difference. If SSA made the mistake it can be corrected without an application if you catch it within 30 days of the card being issued. If you put the name misspelled on the appplication another application needs to be submitted. Plus in either sitiation you status can't be expired or within 14 days of expiring to be issued a new card.