K-1: Applied for SSN, needs DHS verification, now getting married?

[Megan & Luke 93]

Hi everyone!

I wanted to get an opinion on our situation, preferably from someone who has dealt with this scenario, but all are welcome. I searched the current and past SSN threads but none really fit the bill. I could have missed something though!

Luke arrived from England on a K-1 visa on May 3. We waited 2 weeks to apply for his SSN. Surprisingly we had no issues at the Social Security office - we didn't need to present the requirement page showing he is eligible for an SSN. It was a pretty smooth process - until they couldn't get his status to verify in SAVE. Apparently the database was down. Our office told us it happens pretty frequently.

Now, instead of telling us to just come back a different day, they started the manual process of verifying his status. They made copies, filled out a form, etc. and told him it could take up to 6 weeks to receive a response. Absurd - they should have told us to come back another day. I wish I had known if we could ahead of time. It's now almost 4 weeks later and we haven't heard a word.

At the 3 week mark, this past Monday, Luke dialed the 1-800 number for the SSA. The guy on the phone told him that it was still pending and to try again in another 2 weeks. Luke then asked what happens if they still don't have it verified by then? The guy had no idea what to tell him. He said normally DHS are quick and getting an SSN is two weeks or less. He said they are backlogged (coming from the TSC for our I-129F it doesn't surprise me one bit that a government body is backlogged.) This guy honestly said he didn't know what the next step was. Now whether that's a load of bull or he honestly had no idea, I am not sure.

Frustrating to say the least. It's difficult for him to adjust and settle in Pennsylvania because we have strict laws on getting even a photo I.D. card from the DMV. He needs two proof of address and they won't even allow him a photo I.D. unless he can prove he is eligible to be in this country 1+ years. We've also heard other recent K-1's who have said they've been told they have to wait until their conditional green card! At this point he has no SSN, can't get a photo I.D., can't even think about a license (he does not have one from England, he lived in an area which didn't have a real need for driving)

Our one positive is that my bank allowed us to open a joint account, so at least he feels like he is on an even keel money wise.

Here is my issue: Outside of not knowing what to do if this SSN takes longer than 6 weeks, we are getting married July 10. Since his K-1 status officially ends the day we get married, what happens to his application for SSN or his ability to apply again? Will he need to wait until he receives his EAD (another 3-6 month wait)? Does he need his conditional green card? Or does his original application still hold true?

Thanks!

Megan

Edited June 11, 2015 by Megan & Luke

[zeta054 111]

heres my 2 cents, marry first, get the name changed on the marriage cert, have him reapply for ssn # under married name bring marriage cert, apply for AOS after u get married.

[SparklePony 238]

I would think he's not going to change his name through marriage, no?

I believe SSN isn't needed for AOS paperwork, which means you can file that right after you marry. Once his EAD/AP card comes in, take that to the SSA office, IF you haven't received the card in the meantime. Also, the K1 expires upon entry in the US, not upon marriage. Once you enter, it's the 1-94 that is valid for 90 days and can expire when you don't get married. Once you marry, apply for AOS straight away. The NOA1 is your proof of an authorized period of stay.

Did you print out a copy of the 1-94?

[Darnell 8,478]

since it's a SAVE accessing problem (and the K-1 visa holder is male)

I strongly suggest you go back each day until access to SAVE has been restored at the SSA office,

as

instant access to SAVE equals 'next day SSN assignment'.

ie - if the SAVE database is up on one of the days that you go in, you go back the next day and get the number (not the card) or learn of more problems.

Yes, get the shift supervisor involved, they know more and have god access into the computer system there and can rescind yer prior ss-5 application.

heres my 2 cents, marry first, get the name changed on the marriage cert, have him reapply for ssn # under married name bring marriage cert, apply for AOS after u get married.

this is the kiss of death for any female K-1 visa holder,

as

it automatically triggers DHS verification,

since there is no federally issued document in the new married name that proves up 'who is who' in the SAVE database. None.

I do hope you noted this particular K-1 visa holder is a male of the species...

[Megan & Luke 93]

since it's a SAVE accessing problem (and the K-1 visa holder is male)

I strongly suggest you go back each day until access to SAVE has been restored at the SSA office,

as

instant access to SAVE equals 'next day SSN assignment'.

ie - if the SAVE database is up on one of the days that you go in, you go back the next day and get the number (not the card) or learn of more problems.

Yes, get the shift supervisor involved, they know more and have god access into the computer system there and can rescind yer prior ss-5 application.

this is the kiss of death for any female K-1 visa holder,

as

it automatically triggers DHS verification,

since there is no federally issued document in the new married name that proves up 'who is who' in the SAVE database. None.

I do hope you noted this particular K-1 visa holder is a male of the species...

Yes, he is male. He will not be changing his name I did read other posts stating that we should go back each day (may even have been your comments on those posts). I am assuming when we do this we request the original application to be reviewed again, and are not filing a new request each time?

Our assumption was that if SAVE was up it would be an almost immediate process - we could get his number and the SSN card would be mailed to us. I'll have to try this out.

Thanks!

... to previous poster (sorry I didn't note your name) yes, the K-1 expired when he entered the country and we have a copy of the I-94. I guess I meant that his right to get an SSN number under the K-1 does not expire until we get married. Perhaps that is incorrect as well, but from what I have read about the process he could apply after EAD or prior to getting married. That's most likely incorrect though. Either way I just want to ensure he isn't stuck waiting if this isn't processed timely.

Edited June 12, 2015 by Megan & Luke

[Darnell 8,478]

uh, no. file a new application, a new ss-5, ask for a SAVE database lookup, then get the supervisor to rescind the prior SS-5 application.

re: timing -

1. have 74 days from I-94 issuance date, if no get prior, must

2. get after receiving an actual EAD card or green card, which ever arrives firstly.

Edited June 12, 2015 by Darnell