Any drawback to applying for SSN after marriage?

[wbeem 567]

We just applied for our marriage license today. My POE date was June 1st and our wedding is in less than 2 weeks. It seems like a hassle to apply for SSN and then have to go back and change my name after the wedding. Is there a reason we should consider applying for it now and then changing the name afterwards, rather than just waiting a couple of weeks? My I94 will still be valid with plenty time to spare after the honeymoon.

[TabeaK 516]

They may not do it until you have your EAD showing your married name.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from K1 Process to SSN Forum~

~Inquiry about SSN, past K1~

(mod hat off)

Here is a recent similar-themed thread from the SSN Forum: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/550517-should-we-get-married-before-applying-for-ssn/

Good luck on you immigration journey.

Edited June 3, 2015 by Pitaya

[wbeem 567]

Will the marriage license and marriage certificate with passport etc not sufficce? We may need to make the two trips, but I wanted to explore the options first. Would it be worth calling them to ask?

[Cody and Daisy 373]

SS offices are dumb.

For example (which is the same for so many others) when I went in to change my name after marriage but before I sent AOS, I was told my new name does not match my name on the system, and that I would have to change it with uscis!

In other words they wanted something already officially in the states that shows my new name, which is my EAD or green card.

It's just a lot of hassle trying to make them do something they don't know how to do without some sort of government proof.

Wait for the EAD, trust me it'll save you a lot of hassle and hatred.

[solus 19]

My mother had issues replacing her social security card after it was lost in a move, they wanted her divorce decree from almost 30 years ago to prove her maiden name because they never updated it from the hyphenated version after she was divorced. It took over 6 months for them to issue it properly because it wasnt the same "in the system", which is their mistake from decades ago.

Do it how they want you to, its easier on you in the long run, even if it means two trips. Logic brings you nowhere lol.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

We just applied for our marriage license today. My POE date was June 1st and our wedding is in less than 2 weeks. It seems like a hassle to apply for SSN and then have to go back and change my name after the wedding. Is there a reason we should consider applying for it now and then changing the name afterwards, rather than just waiting a couple of weeks? My I94 will still be valid with plenty time to spare after the honeymoon.

You have to realize that not every person in a Social Security office understands immigration, especially the K1 who is not their normal customer.

I can tell you some real life examples of what people have been told which delayed getting the number which is what you want.--

1) "The (married) name is not in the database. Will have to send off for manual verification by USCIS." Takes a long time.

2) "You got married, so you are K3 now instead of K1. A K3 is not eligible for a SSN." No your visa didn't change but try to convince the worker.

So if you want the best chance of getting a SSN from even the least trained worker,

--Apply in your name exactly as it appears on your I-94 and passport. That is the name they have to find.

--Apply before you marry.

It doesn't matter what your name says. It is the number that counts. You rarely have to show the card. When you get EAD or permanent residency (a change with USCIS from K1 that you entered with) then you can go Inform Social Security of your new status and change the name at the same time.

The Social Security card name can change depending what the latest USCIS has you down as. My husband got three versions of cards after informing the SSA of status changes. They said they had to change the card.

John Smith (first based on K1 and I-94)

John J Smith (based on name as it appeared on greencard)

John Joe Smith (based on name on naturalization certificate)

Social Security isn't often a one time visit.