SSN once entering the US on K1 Visa

[gabrielahansen 1]

Hello,

I have a question regarding the SSN. I got my visa in the mail a couple of weeks ago and will be driving down on July 1st, and we've already booked a civil ceremony for July 9th - I know there's mixed thoughts on whether to get the Social Security Number before getting married or once you're married and have filed for AOS, but I also know a SSN is essential to open a bank account and get a driver's license etc.

I would really like to have a bank account and transfer the funds from my current account into the new one, but I'm not sure if it's even possible to get a SSN in the short time frame before our civil ceremony (since most recommend getting one after 2 weeks of arriving in the US).

Would it still be possible for me to get a SSN the week of our civil ceremony strictly for bank / driving purposes? I know that once you've married, you have to wait for your worth authorization to come in once you've sent your AOS application. We plan to file the AOS shortly after the ceremony.

If you could let me know your thoughts / the best route to opt for, that would be great.

Thank you!

Gabriela

[yuna628 9,528]

Hello,

I have a question regarding the SSN. I got my visa in the mail a couple of weeks ago and will be driving down on July 1st, and we've already booked a civil ceremony for July 9th - I know there's mixed thoughts on whether to get the Social Security Number before getting married or once you're married and have filed for AOS, but I also know a SSN is essential to open a bank account and get a driver's license etc.

I would really like to have a bank account and transfer the funds from my current account into the new one, but I'm not sure if it's even possible to get a SSN in the short time frame before our civil ceremony (since most recommend getting one after 2 weeks of arriving in the US).

Would it still be possible for me to get a SSN the week of our civil ceremony strictly for bank / driving purposes? I know that once you've married, you have to wait for your worth authorization to come in once you've sent your AOS application. We plan to file the AOS shortly after the ceremony.

If you could let me know your thoughts / the best route to opt for, that would be great.

Thank you!

Gabriela

You can obtain an SSN the day you arrive, so long as you are in the system correctly. My husband waited a few weeks before he obtained his, and before we married. But there is also nothing stopping you from obtaining an SSN after you marry either, provided you have enough days left on your I94/visa (of course you may run into not the brightest bunch at the SSA). If you don't, then the EAD will be needed.

An SSN will not get you very far to be able to drive though. That's only one document you can present. For the most part a state DMV will not allow you to or will create more fuss, unless you have applied to adjust your status (with AP/EAD). Once you present them with an EAD, obtaining a state drivers license and following the rest of the regulation is fairly trouble free. If you know how to drive, most states have a legal period you can continue to drive on your current license until you are considered a 'resident' of that state. It varies.

As for banking, just to let you know... it varies from bank to bank, but I can tell you, you do not need an SSN to have a bank account. Of course it's all about finding a bank that will allow you to. I added my husband to our joint account just fine without him having an SSN. They did require a marriage certificate.

That being said, if you can see yourself properly in the I94 system, wait a couple days and try for an SSN. You'll need it in future, so you may aswell try.

PS: for future reference, because it gets asked a lot. You also don't need an SSN to obtain health insurance, despite all those persons on the phone that insist you need one, and haven't a clue.

Edited May 16, 2016 by yuna628

[MrsBurgz 104]

You don't need a SS # to open a bank account or be added to an account.

I am currently in the position to answer that question. At any bank you will be able to open an account without a social.

[Hypnos 6,576]

There's no mixed thoughts. You should obtain an SSN as soon as you are able, ideally asap following PoE.

[Pennycat 880]

Hello,

I have a question regarding the SSN. I got my visa in the mail a couple of weeks ago and will be driving down on July 1st, and we've already booked a civil ceremony for July 9th - I know there's mixed thoughts on whether to get the Social Security Number before getting married or once you're married and have filed for AOS, but I also know a SSN is essential to open a bank account and get a driver's license etc.

I would really like to have a bank account and transfer the funds from my current account into the new one, but I'm not sure if it's even possible to get a SSN in the short time frame before our civil ceremony (since most recommend getting one after 2 weeks of arriving in the US).

Would it still be possible for me to get a SSN the week of our civil ceremony strictly for bank / driving purposes? I know that once you've married, you have to wait for your worth authorization to come in once you've sent your AOS application. We plan to file the AOS shortly after the ceremony.

If you could let me know your thoughts / the best route to opt for, that would be great.

Thank you!

Gabriela

You can get an SSN immediately but wait a few weeks (give them at least that long-- I think they have to wait to update databases or whatever). If you're planning on changing your name after marriage, it may be worth waiting for the marriage certificate and applying under the married name rather than going through the process twice. NOTE: you have to apply for the SSN 2 or more weeks before your legal stay expires (your 90 days) or it won't go through. So if you're getting married toward the end of the 90 days, take that into account.

Banking will depend on the bank and maybe on the banker. I don't think that you need an SSN to be added to a joint account (you would to open your own). My husband got a new joint account with me (that we treat as only his, I don't even have a card or checks or anything) within the first few weeks-- no marriage certificate, no SSN. The banker we worked with just so happened to have brought her husband over on K1 visa so she knew the deal.

Driving will very heavily depend on the state. Go to your state's DMV and look up the requirements. You may not need an SSN. You may not be allowed one until you have your green card. Really just depends.

[FloridaHenry 1]

I applied SSN 2 weeks after I arrived here. I received my card 1 week after. For me, its easy process to get, the SS officer only asked me what's the purpose why do I need to have the SSN I just simply asked for bank account opening and driving license purposes. Then he asked my birth certificate, passport and visa, I-94. That's its. Then after like a minute he gave me the acknowledgment receipt and told me to expect my ss card after 2 weeks but I got it after 1 week.

I think DMV will ask for your EAD/ green card for identity that you are eligible to drive here in US.

[gabrielahansen 1]

You can obtain an SSN the day you arrive, so long as you are in the system correctly. My husband waited a few weeks before he obtained his, and before we married. But there is also nothing stopping you from obtaining an SSN after you marry either, provided you have enough days left on your I94/visa (of course you may run into not the brightest bunch at the SSA). If you don't, then the EAD will be needed.

An SSN will not get you very far to be able to drive though. That's only one document you can present. For the most part a state DMV will not allow you to or will create more fuss, unless you have applied to adjust your status (with AP/EAD). Once you present them with an EAD, obtaining a state drivers license and following the rest of the regulation is fairly trouble free. If you know how to drive, most states have a legal period you can continue to drive on your current license until you are considered a 'resident' of that state. It varies.

As for banking, just to let you know... it varies from bank to bank, but I can tell you, you do not need an SSN to have a bank account. Of course it's all about finding a bank that will allow you to. I added my husband to our joint account just fine without him having an SSN. They did require a marriage certificate.

That being said, if you can see yourself properly in the I94 system, wait a couple days and try for an SSN. You'll need it in future, so you may aswell try.

PS: for future reference, because it gets asked a lot. You also don't need an SSN to obtain health insurance, despite all those persons on the phone that insist you need one, and haven't a clue.

That's really helpful, thanks! I didn't know you could obtain a SSN following the marriage, so that's good to know. I think I'll wait till we have the certified copies of our marriage certificate and have my fiancé's last name on the card vs. mine. Hopefully all goes well.

[gabrielahansen 1]

You can get an SSN immediately but wait a few weeks (give them at least that long-- I think they have to wait to update databases or whatever). If you're planning on changing your name after marriage, it may be worth waiting for the marriage certificate and applying under the married name rather than going through the process twice. NOTE: you have to apply for the SSN 2 or more weeks before your legal stay expires (your 90 days) or it won't go through. So if you're getting married toward the end of the 90 days, take that into account.

Banking will depend on the bank and maybe on the banker. I don't think that you need an SSN to be added to a joint account (you would to open your own). My husband got a new joint account with me (that we treat as only his, I don't even have a card or checks or anything) within the first few weeks-- no marriage certificate, no SSN. The banker we worked with just so happened to have brought her husband over on K1 visa so she knew the deal.

Driving will very heavily depend on the state. Go to your state's DMV and look up the requirements. You may not need an SSN. You may not be allowed one until you have your green card. Really just depends.

We will be opening a joint account so I'm sure that will be easier than opening my own. Thanks for all the info! helps a lot.

[FloridaHenry 1]

I think it's easier to get it before you are married and then go into the office with your marriage certificate after you are married to get the name changed. That's what we did and it was really easy. I think if you do it after marriage it is a lot harder as your name is different on the I-94 to your married name and your status has changed so they sometimes ask for your EAD or green card to prove immigration.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from K1 Process to Fam.-based AOS Forum~

~Inquiry about AOS-related processes~

(mod hat off)

Review the K1 Flowchart, you are talking about steps #15 and #16: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[Hypnos 6,576]

You can get an SSN immediately but wait a few weeks (give them at least that long-- I think they have to wait to update databases or whatever).

This is no longer the case now that I-94s are electronic.

[gabrielahansen 1]

I think it's easier to get it before you are married and then go into the office with your marriage certificate after you are married to get the name changed. That's what we did and it was really easy. I think if you do it after marriage it is a lot harder as your name is different on the I-94 to your married name and your status has changed so they sometimes ask for your EAD or green card to prove immigration.

Right, I didn't think about that - that would make more sense. So it's probably best for me to go in and obtain a SSN before the civil ceremony?

[yuna628 9,528]

Right, I didn't think about that - that would make more sense. So it's probably best for me to go in and obtain a SSN before the civil ceremony?

Personally? If you know that you're in the I94 database (you have to check that anyway, since you need to bring the printout from the I94 site with you to the SSA), I'd get one before marriage, just in case you encounter an employee that hasn't a clue what to do if you tried after you're married. The issue revolves around if you'll be in the database yet and if you have someone that knows what to do. You should be and hopefully they will. Follow the guide for SSN here anyway, and take the printout of the SSA instructions it suggests. Name changes and such can come later.

[FloridaHenry 1]

Right, I didn't think about that - that would make more sense. So it's probably best for me to go in and obtain a SSN before the civil ceremony?

Yes! Get it before your wedding cause it's more easy. Just update your new name once you have your green card or EAD. That's what will I do

[gabrielahansen 1]

Personally? If you know that you're in the I94 database (you have to check that anyway, since you need to bring the printout from the I94 site with you to the SSA), I'd get one before marriage, just in case you encounter an employee that hasn't a clue what to do if you tried after you're married. The issue revolves around if you'll be in the database yet and if you have someone that knows what to do. You should be and hopefully they will. Follow the guide for SSN here anyway, and take the printout of the SSA instructions it suggests. Name changes and such can come later.

Ok great, that's what I'll do. Thanks!

Yes! Get it before your wedding cause it's more easy. Just update your new name once you have your green card or EAD. That's what will I do

Perfect, thank you!