OK, I have had my SSN since I was 13 years old. I was previously a legal resident from 1983-2002. So, I have had my number for years. I now have AOS pending and am wondering when I need to change my last name on my SSN. Do I wait until I get my GC or should I do it now? I'm confused.

do it after the greencard, otherwise it is still temporay and " valid only with work authorization." You would only need to change it again, and I know one can only change their name so many times. Im also waiting for mine to go and change to my married name.

I was a resident back when I was a kid so I had a SSN too...I went and got the name changed 2 wks after I arrived in the U.S....I don't mind that it says "valid with DHS authorization." Not a big deal to show them your EAD in conjunction....way more important to have a vital piece of ID with your married name on it!!

in some states "valid with DHS authorization" will be on the SSC eventhough you got the GC because it will be only removed when you
become USC, this is what I was told by the officer.

Mrs Magnolia...

Technically you don't need to change the name on the card at all - If you're not in a hurry to see your married name on it, and don't mind showing your marriage certificate on the odd occasion you need to/are asked, then I'd wait until you get the GC.

I changed my name after I got my GC they asked to see the card then I had to wait a month while they verify to get the new one without the NOT VALID FOR WORK stuff on it.

OK, thank you for the response!

Oh how cool to see someone else in a similar situation. When did you leave the US? Had I known that i would end up in such a huge mess I would have never left in 2002 but I had NO clue! I was always told that my VISA would never expire no matter what LOL.



Really? Me or my mom have NEVER had that on our GC. That must be a new thing.

OK, I will keep that in mind. The only reason I thought I may need to do it is for tax purposes. I really have no idea how long it takes to get a GC nowadays but back when I was younger, it took a year. When I did my renewal in 1997, it took 18 months to receive it although I had a temporary one until I got the new one. I was just wondering how to d it when we file jointly on the tax return and they see me listed there under my married name, but still under Cockrell if they look up my SSN.

OK. So eventually they do take that stuff off of it? Alrighty, I think I will wait then. :-)

I thank everyone for responding. i just didnt know if it was a requirement to change it right away or not. Things have changed drastically over the years! When I got married in 1994 and still lived in Texas, I was told to change it as soon as I got married or I could not use my married name on anything.

You win the misinformation of the day award. States have nothing to do with SSNs and cards. SSA is a U.S. Federal government agency. Apply with an I-551 stamp or card anywhere in the world and you should be issued an unrestricted SSN card.