Applying for SSN

[beng_and_carl 0]

hi our vj family! i would like to asknthis urgent question. can i apply for an ssn afer my wedding coz i'll be changing my last name then. so, to save effort and maybe money, can i apply only after our wedding?

hope somebody will answer me soon.

thanks a lot. God bless us all.

[Jasman0717 8]

You will have to wait for a notice from the USCIS like an EAD or the GC for SSA to issue a card. I had Claudeth apply after she had been here for two weeks and got the card a week later. Once we had the EAD in her married name we changed the name on the card and that took about six weeks.

[Krikit 1,163]

Contrary to Jasman's post, you do not need any USCIS documents EAD or GC documents to apply for a SSN in your married name. I applied in my married name after I was married and before I filed for AOS and it was not a problem. You just need to do it within 76 days of your arrival because they won't issue a SSN if you're within two weeks of your I-94 expiring. Now, having said all that, there are just as many people who have had problems doing this (because the SSA workers don't know their own policy) as there are who have not. You'll find further information on this when you do a search. Look for the policy information in posts by I_Quit. Good luck!

Edited March 7, 2008 by Crikey!

[joemaria 0]

I did apply after our marriage but u have to make sure that u apply for it 2 weeks after ur I-94 expired. You have to bring ur marriage cert, passport and I-94 to do this. The application is free, no charge...

[Liebi 0]

I am one of those who had trouble getting a SSN after marriage. Had the same idea you have - I only wanted to go to the social security office once, but they refused to issue me a SSN on my married status and kept on telling me I should have come before the wedding. So I ended up going back there with my EAD. Like said above, you might be lucky and will talk to a worker that actually knows what he/she is doing, but maybe not.

My advice: go there before your wedding, apply and change the name once you have a USCIS document. By the way, a SSN is free, you will not have to spend money on it (only for the gas to drive to the office).

[ED*Riza 0]

I agree with Liebi.. Same thing happen to me.

[garya505 2]

hi our vj family! i would like to asknthis urgent question. can i apply for an ssn afer my wedding coz i'll be changing my last name then. so, to save effort and maybe money, can i apply only after our wedding?

hope somebody will answer me soon.

thanks a lot. God bless us all.

You may be making more trouble for yourself by waiting. It's usually better to apply in maiden name after you are here for two weeks. You'll get the card in about a week or two.

It's easy to change your name with SSA after marriage, but you have to do it within 76 days of your I-94 entry date, or wait for EAD or GC.

If you get past 76 days on your I-94 entry date, SSA won't change anything until you have something official from USCIS like an EAD or a GC.

[TracyTN 237]

Contrary to Jasman's post, you do not need any USCIS documents EAD or GC documents to apply for a SSN in your married name. I applied in my married name after I was married and before I filed for AOS and it was not a problem. You just need to do it within 76 days of your arrival because they won't issue a SSN if you're within two weeks of your I-94 expiring. Now, having said all that, there are just as many people who have had problems doing this (because the SSA workers don't know their own policy) as there are who have not. You'll find further information on this when you do a search. Look for the policy information in posts by I_Quit. Good luck!

This is correct.

Print out the link in my signature and take it with you to the SS office, and present it to them if they give you any grief. Pay particular attention to section C.

[garya505 2]

Contrary to Jasman's post, you do not need any USCIS documents EAD or GC documents to apply for a SSN in your married name. I applied in my married name after I was married and before I filed for AOS and it was not a problem. You just need to do it within 76 days of your arrival because they won't issue a SSN if you're within two weeks of your I-94 expiring. Now, having said all that, there are just as many people who have had problems doing this (because the SSA workers don't know their own policy) as there are who have not. You'll find further information on this when you do a search. Look for the policy information in posts by I_Quit. Good luck!

This is correct.

Print out the link in my signature and take it with you to the SS office, and present it to them if they give you any grief. Pay particular attention to section C.

You're assuming they will do everything correct, even if you show them their own rules. Remember, these are government employees.

When we applied for my wife's SSN in maiden name, we never received the card because apparently the first guy at the SSA "lost" the application. On the 2nd visit, we applied again and they said they would send the card, but it never arrived. On the 3rd visit, they gave us the SSN but refused to change the name (we were married by then) because we were on day 76 of the I-94. We still had no actual card, but we had a letter from them.

After she received her GC, we changed the name and finally got the card.

My advice >>> play it safe with those SSA bozos and get the SSN in maiden name right away .

[I'm Gone 60]

You will have to wait for a notice from the USCIS like an EAD or the GC for SSA to issue a card.

That is 100% totally WRONG!!! I told you at the time what to do and you choose not the push the issue and waited until you had the EAD card.

As long as your I-94 is not within 14 days of expiring at the time the SSA office has verified your status and tries to clear the application you DO NOT need am EAD card or I-551 if you apply after getting married with your married name.

An individual that entered the United States with K-1 status applying for a work authorized SSN must present evidence at one of our offices to establish his or her age, identity and current lawful employment authorized status.

An individual needs to provide at least two documents as evidence to establish age, identity and current lawful employment authorized status.

We will not assign an SSN or issue a card to an individual that is within 14 days of his or her alien status expiring. Until the 76th day after entry an individual with K-1 status only needs to provide an unexpired I-94 showing current K-1 status to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

Once, an individual that entered the United States with K-1 status has been in the United States 76 days he or she will need another document, i.e. I-551, I-688B or I-766 to establish employment authorized status for SSN purposes.

RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500#C1

RM 00203.410 Evidence of Alien Status for an SSN Card for an Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410

Only the marriage document is needed to establish the name change if it meets the following criteria:

-- The new name can be derived from the marriage document, i.e. bride

takes the groom’s last name, groom takes bride’s last name, compound

name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse’s original name for

either or both parties.

Note: The type of name change requested must also be allowable under state law, i.e. groom taking bride’s last name.

-- The marriage occurred within the past two years

-- The marriage document shows sufficient identifying information

(e.g., biographical data such as age, date of birth or parent's

names), and

-- The identifying information matches the information on his/her

Social Security number (Numident) record.

The applicant may need to submit an identity document in the old name along with the marriage document if:

-- The marriage occurred within the last two years and has biographical

information, e.g., age, date of birth or parent's names which does

not match our records, e.g., the SSN record.

-- The marriage occurred within the last two years, but does not show

biographical information, or

-- The marriage occurred over two years ago (with or without

biographical information.

The identity document used to establish the old name must match the name on the current SSN record. The identity document is acceptable even if over two years old or expired.

In name change situations when evidence of identity in the old name is required, e.g., name change occurred more than 2 years ago and the applicant does not have any acceptable evidence of identity in the old name with him or her at the time the SSN application is filed, we can request the following documentation to process the name change:

1. Name change document (e.g., marriage document) showing the old name that agrees with the name on the latest Numident record (Numident) (e.g., maiden name), and

2. Acceptable evidence of identity in the new name (name to be shown on the SSN card), excluding marriage document if it was submitted as the name change document and

3. Verification of identifying information (SSN, name(s) on latest Numident record, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names) from the latest Numident record.

If these three documentation requirements are not met, the name change request cannot be processed under this new policy. Evidence of identity in the old name would need to be submitted per EM-06064.

Note: Refer the Social Security office personnel to EM-06064, which was issued 10/02/2006 and EM-07045, which was issued 07/03/2007 for the current procedures regarding name changes based on marriage.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/public/refere...cttocategory=EM

This is in addition to proof of current lawful employment authorized status.

RM 00203.210 C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name:

When an alien applies for an SSN card, we presume the name on the immigration document is the legal name unless the applicant presents evidence of a legal name change, e.g., marriage, which occurred after the immigration document was issued.

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

When requesting an SSN card, the documents presented, as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. SSA cannot accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence.

If a foreign-born person has the foreign birth certificate (BC) in his/her possession or can easily obtain a copy, he or she must submit it as proof of age. When a person is foreign-born, a BC may not exist, may not have been recorded shortly after birth, or the probative value of the document may not be high. In these situations, SSA can accept alternative evidence of age in order of probative value. The alternative evidence of age may be less than a year old, e.g., a DHS document or passport.

You can find detailed information regarding evidence that establishes age on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203110

The documents acceptable as evidence of identity are now based on three factors: (1) the applicant’s age, (2) the applicant’s citizenship/alien status, and (3) the relative probative value of documents.

Primary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (includes temporary I-551

Stamp in combination with an unexpired foreign passport when the I-

551 Permanent Resident Card has not yet been issued)

-- Form I-94, Arrival/departure Record in combination with an unexpired

foreign passport

-- Form I-766, Employment Authorization card

-- Form I-688B, Employment Authorization card

Note: Document must be unexpired

Secondary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Unexpired valid U.S. driver’s license (excludes licenses known to be

suspended or revoked)

-- U.S. State issued non-driver identity card (issued by the same State

agency which issues driver’s licenses/State-level agency with

issuing authority over the State’s identity card and not expired)

-- Marriage document showing in addition to the applicant’s name

either the applicant’s date of birth ( DOB) or age

-- Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or hospital) or

letter providing extract data from the medical record showing in

addition to the applicant’s name, the applicant’s DOB or age

-- Health insurance or Medicaid card showing, in addition to the

person’s name, either a photograph of the person or his/her DOB

-- School identity card or record (for current school year) showing, in

addition to the applicant’s name, either a photograph of the

applicant or the applicant’s DOB

-- Life insurance policy for the person showing his/her age or DOB.

However, the acceptability of an identity document must be evaluated on a case by case basis by the office processing the application.

You can find detailed information regarding evidence that establishes identity on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203200

SSA cannot accept an application filing receipt or notice of action as evidence of an immigration document.

Take the required documents to the nearest Social Security office. Individuals age 12 or older applying for an original SSN and card must apply in person at one of our offices.

You can obtain the address and directions to the nearest Social Security office from the Social Security Office Locator, which is available on the Internet at:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

Note: Applicants who live or receive mail in the Brooklyn, NY, Queens, NY, Phoenix, AZ or Las Vegas, NV area MUST apply in person at one of the Social Security Card Centers, regardless of age.

Card Center Information:

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cf...hp?p_faqid=1412

Normally, an SSN card should be received in the mail within two weeks after the application and document(s) have been received and verified.

However, when an alien requests an SSN or replacement card, we must verify his or her documents/current status with the appropriate Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security. If the initial online verification is not possible through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, we may need to send a Form G-845 to the appropriate Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security for manual verification.

Since 01/06/2007 Social Security field offices can submit an additional electronic online verification, which in the majority of applications eliminates the need to send a Form G-845 along with copies of the applicant’s immigration documents.

However, some applications still require a copy of the immigration document(s) being verified to be sent at the request of the Department of Homeland Security along with the Form G-845 for manual verification.

Note: If the applicant has changed his/her name after an immigration document, i.e. I-94, was issued, e.g., married and is now using the married name, but has not obtained a corrected immigration document showing the new name; this is not a name discrepancy for enumeration purposes, i.e. SAVE clearance, if the applicant can provide an acceptable legal name change document to establish the new name.

The 14 day status expiration limit for assigning an SSN and/or issuing a card applies even if an individual submitted his or her application before being within the 14 day period and entered the 14 day period while waiting for his or her status to be verified.

SSA offices can also assist applicants by issuing a notice acknowledging the SSN application while documents are being verified.

RM 00202.307 Acknowledgement for Form SS-5:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202307

All cards are mailed from Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland to the postal address provided on the Form SS-5.

[I'm Gone 60]

If you have a problem send an e-mail to SSA:

http://www.ssa.gov/feedback/

List that you have K-1 status, the office you went to and I-94 number.

[beng_and_carl 0]

OH MY GOSH!!! i am so overwhelmed for giving me a bunch of information which are absolutely helpful. THANKS A LOT, as always!!!

so, based on my understanding, here's the summary of all your suggestions and advices:

1. i must apply for a SSN 2 weeks after my arrival in the US. it is also suggested that i apply before i get married, wait for my new ssn card and then, change my name once i get married and then, apply 2 weeks before my I-94 expires.

2. with the provisions stipulated in RM 00203.500 Section C, as far as i have understand, my ssn will provide me the authority to work as a k1 visa holder even without an EAD or work permit? am i correct on this?

hoping for your reactions on this.

thank you once again.

~beng

Edited March 7, 2008 by beng_and_carl

[skykate 0]

I went to the SS office here and was told i cannot apply until i have my GC

[TracyTN 237]

You're assuming they will do everything correct, even if you show them their own rules. Remember, these are government employees.

When we applied for my wife's SSN in maiden name, we never received the card because apparently the first guy at the SSA "lost" the application. On the 2nd visit, we applied again and they said they would send the card, but it never arrived. On the 3rd visit, they gave us the SSN but refused to change the name (we were married by then) because we were on day 76 of the I-94. We still had no actual card, but we had a letter from them.

After she received her GC, we changed the name and finally got the card.

My advice >>> play it safe with those SSA bozos and get the SSN in maiden name right away .

I'm not assuming anything. My local office fought me tooth and nail on this so I believe I know a little about it. The lady at my office put in hubby's application even though she doubted what we were saying (and, in fact, called me several hours later to explain immigration to me ) and thus, why he wasn't 'entitled' to an SSN. I asked her to please just let the application 'ride' anyway, and he got his SS card a week later.

Arm yourself with the knowledge of what they're SUPPOSED to do and make them do it. If the first person you speak with doesn't, then ask to speak to their supervisor. If that still doesn't work, lodge a complaint through their website about that particular location.

Or she could follow your advice, let them walk all over her, get the card in her maiden name, then go back later and get that changed. So what if it costs you more time off work and gas to/from the SSA twice, right?

I went to the SS office here and was told i cannot apply until i have my GC

That may be correct - it depends what visa type you entered on. Can't tell from your timeline.

[sj5 4]

Its easier for you to apply before you get married, change it to your married name once you have your marriage certificate, then when you have your greencard, you can change it again. its allow you to change your social security card 3 times in ten years. For me it took 2weeks in each application i made.

There is no fees.