Is it true that I need SSN to obtain the marriage license in Philadelphia?

[zzmr_qzz 24]

Hi all,

Topic says it all.

We were sent home yesterday when we went to City Hall in Philadelphia to register our marriage license and the lady asked me for my SSN (im beneficiary came by K1 visa)

I arrived on 10/1

Make SSN on 10/4

Is there anyone living in Philly expericing this?

Thanks a lot.

[Dutchster 1,106]

I thought in most states, if you can't show SSN, you are allowed to use secondary identification like a birth certificate -translated-. This is also listed as needed items to obtain a license in Philadelphia according to their website.

http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/marriagelicense.aspx

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

No it is not true. Ask for a supervisor. There is a federal law that you can get married if you do not have a SSN. Tell them you don't have one (not that you just don't want to give them the number).

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Print this page and return to the courthouse and explain to the clerk that you dealt with.http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/marriagelicense.aspx

Read the requirement and present whichever of the ID's required that you have available. And don't forget your passport. Even though it doesn't list passport, you may have dealt with new employee or a strict employee.

Edited October 6, 2016 by IcezMan_IcezLady

[weezerlso 1]

I live in Iowa and we were ONLY able to get my husband's SSN AFTER the marriage by presenting the Marriage License.

[Brazil2USA2016 7]

My husband and I got our marriage license from city hall in Philly. I have a SS, he doesn't. Just had to show his passport.

[yuna628 9,530]

No it's not true. Individual is breaking the law. Bring your passport. Ask to speak to a supervisor.

That being said you are also eligible to obtain an SNN before marriage, so I would certainly go do that by following the guides here.

Edited October 6, 2016 by yuna628

[Brazil2USA2016 7]

I thought in most states, if you can't show SSN, you are allowed to use secondary identification like a birth certificate -translated-. This is also listed as needed items to obtain a license in Philadelphia according to their website.

http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/marriagelicense.aspx

Yes this is the exact link for what we used/needed.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

No it is not true. Ask for a supervisor. There is a federal law that you can get married if you do not have a SSN. Tell them you don't have one (not that you just don't want to give them the number).

Which federal law is that? I did a search and found nothing about such law.

Some states will take a driver's license , passport, etc. it is at the state level that determines the form of acceptable ID's. The Feds come in for the discriminatory part of state marriage laws..

[yuna628 9,530]

From the City of Philly website states as follows:

Applicants must produce the following identification: a CURRENT, VALID PHOTO I.D. in the form of either a driver’s license; non-driver’s license; international driver’s license; passport; military I.D.; resident alien card or consulate card AND a Social Security card or any other form of I.D. issued by an official entity which reflects the applicant’s Social Security number (i.e. Social Security printout; pay stub; W-2 form; income tax return; prescription card; access card etc.). If an applicant does NOT possess a Social Security number he/she must produce a Secondary I.D. in the form of a birth certificate (officially translated, if appropriate); or any other form of I.D. issued by an official entity, in addition to the above-noted current, valid photo I.D. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE TAKEN WITHOUT THESE DOCUMENTS.

The ID in the passport should be sufficient, if they want further ID or proof of legal status the ID attached to the K1 visa should be sufficient. A birth certificate could also be used.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Which federal law is that? I did a search and found nothing about such law.

Some states will take a driver's license , passport, etc. it is at the state level that determines the form of acceptable ID's. The Feds come in for the discriminatory part of state marriage laws..

Yes, and requiring a SSN is discriminatory if the person does not have one.

[zzmr_qzz 24]

My husband and I got our marriage license from city hall in Philly. I have a SS, he doesn't. Just had to show his passport.

Yeah so bad, my babe work till 5pm every day so we just can come to the city hall on Wed as they open till 7pm. Next Wed we come again. I dont understand how they could process things this way.

[zzmr_qzz 24]

Thanks everyone for your prompt response.

[zzmr_qzz 24]

Guys I just called now to the Marriage License Bureau, and he said if i dnt hv SSN, just bring passport and my birth certificate in English.

Omg we lost one week because of this lady ???

[annstew 18]

That is so not true... I came on a K1 too but all they asked for was my passport to get my marriage license