Which comes first?

[StupidJourney 0]

Yeah, I know, we haven't even received our NOA2 yet, but I'm just wondering, which is better to do first, the marriage, or applying for SSN? I noticed the marriage requirements in Texas, and it said "applicants must provide their social security numbers (if applicable)." Which I guess means we don't NEED to have one. I just know that if it takes 2 weeks to apply, and 2 weeks to get the number, that we're already one month into the three month wedding window.

Thanks for any info,

Liz

Edited September 24, 2006 by sonicliz

[TucsonBill 0]

I my own case, its better we do the marriage first since my fiance will take my last name and if we married after applyng, we'd have to do a name change to the SSA. I don't think it really matters too much.

I read somewhere that your fiance can actually apply for his SS# before even coming to the USA so its possible you could have this out of the way before he even comes. I'm not sure of the proceedure for this, but I read that somewhere on the USCIS site.

Maybe someone else can profide you with more insight into this, but I am sure I read that he could apply before.

Bill

[KarenCee 3]

Yeah, I know, we haven't even received our NOA2 yet, but I'm just wondering, which is better to do first, the marriage, or applying for SSN? I noticed the marriage requirements in Texas, and it said "applicants must provide their social security numbers (if applicable)." Which I guess means we don't NEED to have one. I just know that if it takes 2 weeks to apply, and 2 weeks to get the number, that we're already one month into the three month wedding window.

Thanks for any info,

Liz

Hey Liz...sounds like everything is working out for you. I'm glad.

As for the SSN, my husband (he came here on a K1) got his SSN before our marriage. We didn't need one to get the marriage license. He came home on May 13 and our wedding was on July 7. It's all doable in that 3 month window.

[Aymerlu 3]

Depends where you live. Some states require that you have your SSN before you can apply for you marriage license.

[KarenCee 3]

Depends where you live. Some states require that you have your SSN before you can apply for you marriage license.

Yep...I should have remembered that Might be a good idea to check the requirements in the state where you live.

[Canuck Carrie 1]

I'm also in TX, I didn't need my SSN to get the marriage license. I applied for my SSN after marriage and received the card in my married name.

[heishe 2]

How long does it take to get the SSN? I think the state in which we plan to get married requires a SSN for the marriage license. We want to get married as soon as possible after he arrives, but still set the date somewhat in advance, so we can invite people. So how much time should we give ourselves?

[StupidJourney 0]

Yeah, I know, we haven't even received our NOA2 yet, but I'm just wondering, which is better to do first, the marriage, or applying for SSN? I noticed the marriage requirements in Texas, and it said "applicants must provide their social security numbers (if applicable)." Which I guess means we don't NEED to have one. I just know that if it takes 2 weeks to apply, and 2 weeks to get the number, that we're already one month into the three month wedding window.

Thanks for any info,

Liz

Hey Liz...sounds like everything is working out for you. I'm glad.

As for the SSN, my husband (he came here on a K1) got his SSN before our marriage. We didn't need one to get the marriage license. He came home on May 13 and our wedding was on July 7. It's all doable in that 3 month window.

Hi Karen: Yes, things are working out for us now!

We don't need the SSN to get married in Texas... I'm thinking we'll probably be getting married on paper quickly, and then having the ceremony a few months later! The more I talk about my wedding to my family, the more I am realizing that the small wedding I envisioned will not be an option, so I want to make sure we at least get the license before the three months!

[I'm Gone 60]

I would apply for the SSN ASAP and worry about the name change once you have an SSN, but that's just me.

An individual with K-1 status applying for a work authorized SSN must present evidence to establish his or her age, identity and current lawful employment authorized status.

An individual needs to provide at least two documents as evidence to establish age, identity and current lawful employment authorized status.

SSA will not assign an SSN or issue a card to an individual that is within 14 days of his or her alien status expiring. Until the 76th day after entry an individual with K-1 status only needs to provide an unexpired I-94 showing current K-1 status to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

RM 00202.115 Form SS-5 Item 3 — Citizenship:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202115

B. PROCEDURE - ANSWER TO ITEM 3

2. Legal Alien Allowed to Work

The applicant should check this block if he/she alleges to be a lawfully admitted alien with work authorization.

Once, an individual with K-1 status has been in the United States 76 days he or she will need another document, i.e. I-551, I-688B or I-766 to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500#C1

RM 00203.410 Evidence of Alien Status for an SSN Card for an Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410

Suggest that individuals apply for a corrected SSN card to update the SSN record when there has been a name change due to marriage.

The applicant may submit either:

-- One legal name change document showing both the old and new names

(e.g., a court order for a name change or a marriage document). The

document must also show either (1) a description or photograph of

the person or (2) biographical information that can be compared with

the Numident data; or

-- When the name change document does not show either a photograph of

the person or biographical information that can be compared with the

Numident data, then, in addition to the name change document, the

applicant must also submit two acceptable identity documents. One

of the submitted identity documents must show the old name (the name

on the latest SSN record) AND the other submitted identity

document must show the new name (the name to be shown on the

corrected SSN card). The identity documents submitted must show

either a photograph of the applicant or provide biographical

information that can be compared with the Numident (SSN record)

data.

In all 50 U.S. States (this means the 50 States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa) the bride may take her husband's last name (surname or family name) as her new last name. (EXAMPLE: Jane Doe married John Jones and she may change her name to Jane Jones.)

Interim Guidance: If the bride wants to take her husband’s last name, accept the marriage document as a legal name change for the bride if the new name can be derived from the marriage document; even if the marriage document only shows each partner’s first names, the bride’s prior surname and husband’s surname.

Note: For a marriage document or marriage record to be acceptable as an identity document it must show, in addition to the applicant’s name, either the applicant’s age, date of birth or parents’ names and the marriage document alone can be accepted as evidence of identity for both the old and new names when it meets this standard.

When issuing immigration documents, the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security issue them in the person’s legal name. The legal name is also generally the name in which the foreign passport was issued.

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.

This is in addition to proof of current lawful employment authorized status.

You can find detailed information regarding changing SSN record (Numident) data on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

When requesting an SSN card, the documents presented, as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. SSA will not accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence.

“If the applicant has no immediate need for the SSN and the translation can be done promptly or the foreign language document is the only evidence available; have the document translated by an authorized translator and use the document as evidence.”

“If the applicant has a pressing need for an SSN, and evidence other than the foreign language document is available; request other evidence and process the application without the foreign language document.”

RM 00203.040 Reviewing SSN Evidence:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203040#B3

GN 00301.340 Authorized Translators Defined:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200301340

If a foreign-born person has the foreign birth certificate (BC) in his/her possession or can easily obtain a copy, he or she must submit it as proof of age. When a person is foreign-born, a BC may not exist, may not have been recorded shortly after birth, or the probative value of the document may not be high. In these situations, SSA can accept alternative evidence of age in order of probative value. The alternative evidence of age may be less than a year old, e.g., a DHS document or passport.

You can find detailed information regarding evidence that establishes age on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203110

The documents acceptable as evidence of identity are now based on three factors: (1) the applicant’s age, (2) the applicant’s citizenship/alien status, and (3) the relative probative value of documents.

Any document used to establish identity must meet the following criteria:

-- The document provides information the reviewer can compare with the

data on the form SS-5 (e.g., the person's name, as well as age, date

of birth, or parents' names) and/or

-- The document provides information the reviewer can compare with the

applicant (e.g., physical description, photograph).

NOTE: A non-picture identity document should have the person's name as well as information that can be compared to the SSN record, the applicant or other documents submitted (e.g., age, date of birth, or parents' names).

However, the acceptability of an identity document must be evaluated on a case by case basis by the office processing the application, taking into consideration the applicant's situation and exploring what evidence is available for the person.

You can find detailed information regarding evidence that establishes identity on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203200#E6

SSA will not accept an application filing receipt or notice of action as proof of current lawful employment authorized status.

Form SS-5, “Application for a Social Security Card,” is the appropriate form to request an original SSN and card or corrected card.

You can request Form SS-5 by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 or it can be accessed on the SSA Website at:

http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html

Complete the Form SS-5 and take it along with the required documents, to the nearest Social Security office. Individuals age 12 or older applying for an original SSN and card must apply in person at one of our offices.

You can obtain the address and directions to the nearest Social Security office from the Social Security Office Locator, which is available on the Internet at:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

Normally, an SSN card should be received in the mail within two weeks after the application and document(s) have been received and verified.

When an alien requests an SSN or replacement/corrected SSN card, SSA will verify his or her documents and current status with the appropriate Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security. If verification is not available through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, SSA will send Form G-845 for manual verification.

RM 00203.720 Verifying Immigration Documents:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203720

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.

The 14 day status expiration limit for assigning an SSN and/or issuing a card applies even if an individual submitted his or her application before being within the 14 day period and entered the 14 day period while waiting for his or her status to be verified.

If the SSA office does send the G-845, suggest that you go back to the SSA office no more that once week with your documents to (1) ask them to check SAVE again (2) ask if they sent a G-845 (3) if yes, did it come back (4) after 30 days ask if they have followed up on the G-845 by calling or sending another mark “second request.”

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203735

RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE

You can try calling the SSA Regional Office if you have waited at least 30 days and your local SSA office doesn't seem to be concerned about following up on the G-845

http://www.ssa.gov/otherssasites/

Refer them to:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203740

RM 00203.740 Requesting Additional (Manual) Verification By DHS

Step 6

DHS should respond to SSA within 15 federal work days after receiving the Form G-845. If DHS does not respond within 15 federal work days from the receipt of the G-845 from SSA, follow-up with the DHS, USCIS Immigration Status office. (Allow 15 days plus five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS. Follow local practice to follow-up with DHS.

Some SSA offices have an arrangement with the DHS, USCIS office to telephone for the follow-up contact; other SSA offices send a copy of the original G-845 annotated “second request.”) If the DHS response is still not received within 15 federal work days after the follow-up contact (if the follow-up is by mail allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS), make a second follow-up contact. If the DHS response is not received within 15 federal workdays (again, if the follow-up is by mail, allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS), after two follow-ups, contact the Regional Office (RO). Also report to the RO any trend that shows a serious deviation by DHS from the above time frames. The RO will consult with central office.

All cards are mailed from Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland to the postal address provided on the Form SS-5.

You may find additional SSN and employment information on the Internal Revenue Service Website at:

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/intern...=129227,00.html

[Jasman0717 8]

Claudeth got her SSN first and then changed her name on the SSN after she received her EAD with her married name. It all went very smoothly.

[Mich3 0]

Yeah, I know, we haven't even received our NOA2 yet, but I'm just wondering, which is better to do first, the marriage, or applying for SSN? I noticed the marriage requirements in Texas, and it said "applicants must provide their social security numbers (if applicable)." Which I guess means we don't NEED to have one. I just know that if it takes 2 weeks to apply, and 2 weeks to get the number, that we're already one month into the three month wedding window.

Thanks for any info,

Liz

Hey Liz...sounds like everything is working out for you. I'm glad.

As for the SSN, my husband (he came here on a K1) got his SSN before our marriage. We didn't need one to get the marriage license. He came home on May 13 and our wedding was on July 7. It's all doable in that 3 month window.

When you go apply for your SSN do you just need to show them your I-94? I haven't received my work permit in the mail yet but I have my biomectrics appointment tomorrow. It would be nice to start to look for a job.

Thanks

[I'm Gone 60]

When you go apply for your SSN do you just need to show them your I-94? I haven't received my work permit in the mail yet but I have my biomectrics appointment tomorrow. It would be nice to start to look for a job.

Depends on how long you have been here

SSA will not assign an SSN or issue a card to an individual that is within 14 days of his or her alien status expiring. Until the 76th day after entry an individual with K-1 status only needs to provide an unexpired I-94 showing current K-1 status to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

Once, an individual with K-1 status has been in the United States 76 days he or she will need another document, i.e. I-551, I-688B or I-766 to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500#C1

RM 00203.410 Evidence of Alien Status for an SSN Card for an Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410