Hi everyone. I'm just wondering at what point can I go into an SSN office and apply for a card after I arrive in the US. I did check off that little box on the DS-230 asking INS to apply for one for me, but from what I've heard here, they pretty much always forget to apply for people who check off that box.
Can I just walk in there with my CR1 visa stamped in my passport and fill out the form? We've moving pretty far away from the nearest SSN office soon after I arrive, so I'd like to pay a visit to the SSN office ASAP

Don't be coy people, I know somebody has the answer!

Yup, you just walk in. I waited like 2 weeks and then went in with my passport and my Washington state ID - no problem at all.

i waited 5 days i think and went in and got one..

I waited 2 weeks. That way I was pretty much guaranteed to be in their computer database. Some say if you go in too early, they'll have to do a manual entry and the SS number ends up taking longer to get.

After 2 weeks and going in, my card came in about 6 days. I was surprised it came so soon.

I have always heard that 2 weeks is a good amount of time to wait as well.

They say 10 to 14 business days. One can download the form and prefill it out at : http://ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
Ensure you take ur passport for ID

Hope you have enough answers now! haha I'd go in a week or two to make sure you're in the system.

Carla