Just married and need Social Security Card

[Claremcin 1]

I arrived in the US on a K-1 visa on July 30th. My husband and I got married last week on October 10th. My 1-94 expiration date is October 27th.

Soon I will be sending off the relevant completed forms in order to apply for Adjustment of Status. But this Friday my husband and I plan to go to the nearest Social Security office to (a) legally change my name and (b) get me a social security card. We wanted to wait till we were married so that I could put my new name on the card.

Info on this forum states: "As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN."

Well I am now married so not technically on the K-1... and my I-94 would have expired within a couple of weeks anyway... so as I am between statuses... what do I show at the Social Security Office instead of an I-94?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Your window for getting a SSN has closed because there's less than 14 days remaining of your 90 days. You could have gotten it your first week here. Getting it in the name on your POE entry is the best way to do it before you are married. Your next window for a SSN opens when you get your EAD or greencard, whichever comes first.

[Lainie B 465]

Also you don't legally change your name at the Social Security Office. Your name changes legally the day you get married, should you choose to take your husband's name. You can start using your married name from now on. Use your marriage certificate as the legal proof of name change.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 192]

Your window for getting a SSN has closed because there's less than 14 days remaining of your 90 days. You could have gotten it your first week here. Getting it in the name on your POE entry is the best way to do it before you are married. Your next window for a SSN opens when you get your EAD or greencard, whichever comes first.

What he said...

You can now only wait for your EAD Card which can be like 70 days, however, my wife waited almost 120 days for her EAD card. We filed AOS in early March and she received her EAD late July. We live in New Jersey.

[neo86 0]

They didn't accept my i94 the first time and required "authorization for working " , i applied for SSN after EAD ( after 150days !! )

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

They didn't accept my i94 the first time and required "authorization for working " , i applied for SSN after EAD ( after 150days !! )

Many local Social Security workers are not knowledgeable about K1s. That's why the VJ GUIDES for your SSN suggest taking a printout from the SSA website explaining a K1 is eligible and asking for a supervisor if told not eligible. You can get a SSN but you can't work until you have authorization to show with it. (EAD or greencard.)

[d3adc0d3 186]

The Social Security Administration (SSA) hires people who are completely unfamiliar with the immigration process. If you try and apply for a SSN you can get wrongly rejected out of their ignorance. It's best to follow the directions in the guide on how to apply for SSN's (below).

If your I-94 expires in more than 14 days, go now. If not, you'll have to wait until you get your EAD, as stated above.

Apply in the name that is on your I-94 or EAD; their systems are not set up to handle name changes, and they need to look you up in the SAVE database. If your EAD has your married name, you can use that, otherwise use your previous name.

As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do
not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA
offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior
to the expiration on your I-94). With the I-94 going electronic you can apply for a SSN the day you step foot off the plane.

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These
documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:

1. The SS-5 form you downloaded and filled out (they have some at the office if you forget).
2. your Passport (with the K-1 Visa in it)
3. your valid I-94: Electronic I-94 Copy; or (for older entries) an original (and bring a front/backside copy) of a valid paper I-94
4. another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)
5. You should also bring the document RM 10211.530 that you printed out

Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware
that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not
you could be turned away incorrectly.

Once you have successfully applied for your SSN, the SSN card will come in the mail in about 2 weeks. You can check on the status of the SSN application and/or often get the SSN in advance by returning in person (try calling) to the SSA office. If you need your SSN before it arrives in the mail you may ask them for an SSA-7028, Notice to Third Party of Social Security Number Assignments, to be sent to your employer or other interested third party once a SSN has been assigned. Your card, when you receive it, will be marked with the words "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION" indicating to an employer that you must also have an unexpired EAD to be eligible to work

[source]

Edited October 24, 2014 by d3adc0d3