Social Security Number

[FlyingPhoenix 4]

Hey,

I've had my K1 visa approved and I'm now in the USA with my fiancé, I was just wondering what the protocol is with the SSN. We will be married within plenty of time for the end of the 90 days and I know the latest I can get the SSN is 2 weeks prior to the end of the 90 days and there's no problems with the time frame but my question was do I have to get a social security number before I'm married with my maiden name and then marry and change to my married name (as I will be changing my last name) or can I simply marry and then go get my social security number in my married name straight away. Not really sure if there's rules with it.

Thanks

[Darnell 8,478]

we have a ssn sub-forum here - have you found it yet?

[FlyingPhoenix 4]

No I didn't find it.. ill see if I can find it now thanks

[M and C 32]

You don't need to get a SSN before you get married. Got mine after getting married. I brought a copy of our marriage certificate when I applied for my SSN. Saved me the time and effort of having to go back to SSA to update maiden to married name.

Edited July 8, 2014 by M and C

[sweet cakes 326]

Hey,

I've had my K1 visa approved and I'm now in the USA with my fiancé, I was just wondering what the protocol is with the SSN. We will be married within plenty of time for the end of the 90 days and I know the latest I can get the SSN is 2 weeks prior to the end of the 90 days and there's no problems with the time frame but my question was do I have to get a social security number before I'm married with my maiden name and then marry and change to my married name (as I will be changing my last name) or can I simply marry and then go get my social security number in my married name straight away. Not really sure if there's rules with it.

Thanks

You can apply for your SSN before or after the wedding. VJ guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Just a word of caution though, some folks encountered not-so-well-trained SSA employees and end up getting issues when applying using their married name because the clerk will be checking the SAVE database. And if you're still using a >2-week valid I-94, they won't see your new married name in there.

It's highly advised for female K1 visa holders to fill-out the SS-5 using their maiden name, which is the same name as in the passport + visa and I-94, and then later on update the last name after the wedding using the marriage cert as proof of last name change and/or when the EAD/AP card in married name arrived.

Edited July 8, 2014 by sweet cakes

[FlyingPhoenix 4]

You can apply for your SSN before or after the wedding. VJ guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Just a word of caution though, some folks encountered not-so-well-trained SSA employees and end up getting issues when applying using their married name because the clerk will be checking the SAVE database. And if you're still using a >2-week valid I-94, they won't see your new married name in there.

It's highly advised for female K1 visa holders to fill-out the SS-5 using their maiden name, which is the same name as in the passport + visa and I-94, and then later on update the last name after the wedding using the marriage cert as proof of last name change and/or when the EAD/AP card in married name arrived.

Okay thanks, we just weren't sure if there were any rules for it. I think we will just get my SSN in maiden name then go change it so we don't have any complications, I found the SSN area on here too and there have been mixed reviews so it's prolly better just to go to the office twice if it's easier for them

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Hey,

I've had my K1 visa approved and I'm now in the USA with my fiancé, I was just wondering what the protocol is with the SSN. We will be married within plenty of time for the end of the 90 days and I know the latest I can get the SSN is 2 weeks prior to the end of the 90 days and there's no problems with the time frame but my question was do I have to get a social security number before I'm married with my maiden name and then marry and change to my married name (as I will be changing my last name) or can I simply marry and then go get my social security number in my married name straight away. Not really sure if there's rules with it.

Thanks

Because many Social Security offices are not clued in about K1s, your best chance if getting a SSN without a hitch is apply in your maiden name, exactly as it appears on your I-94. Don't mention marriage or a name change. Print off your I-94, take your passport, and go in tomorrow. Cross your fingers that you get a smart worker. Otherwise ask for a supervisor if they say anything other than "of course you can have a SSN, Miss FlyingPhoenix. The number makes it easier to get a bank account, get added to spouses insurance, etc. Sooner rather than later is a good thing. Fix name after you get the greencard.

[FlyingPhoenix 4]

Because many Social Security offices are not clued in about K1s, your best chance if getting a SSN without a hitch is apply in your maiden name, exactly as it appears on your I-94. Don't mention marriage or a name change. Print off your I-94, take your passport, and go in tomorrow. Cross your fingers that you get a smart worker. Otherwise ask for a supervisor if they say anything other than "of course you can have a SSN, Miss FlyingPhoenix. The number makes it easier to get a bank account, get added to spouses insurance, etc. Sooner rather than later is a good thing. Fix name after you get the greencard.

Okay thanks, think we are gonna get the SSN in my maiden name ASAP and change it to married name at a later date, that seems to be the way people don't get so many problems

[Darnell 8,478]

congrats on finding the ssn sub-forum !!

[TBoneTX 43,013]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the SSN subforum for obvious topical reasons. ***