Ducks in a row

[Izoom 0]

Now that we are together, we realized what we have ahead of us. The little things seem to become harder as we realize what needs to be

done, but in the right order. Correct me on this but I think I have this right so far...

Apply for:

Marriage license first (can't do much without it)

SSN before marriage (can change name after ceremony)

Driver's license before marriage (can change name after ceremony, only after obtaining SSN)

Is that right? She has her own bank account and I'm working on cell phone plan, but so far I think that is where we are at so far.

[MsZ 6]

I don't think you need your SSN or a driver's license before you get married.

[payxibka 10,044]

You may have a problem with the DL post October 1, 2008 law changes but appears solvable

Canadian Citizens

Under federal law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S. without obtaining US BCIS documentation. Canadians without US BCIS documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or identification card by presenting one of the following documents and a secondary form of identification:

1. Valid Canadian passport

2. Original or certified Canadian birth certificate

3. Canadian Naturalization Certificate

4. Canadian Certificate of Citizenship

All Canadian citizens will be issued an original or renewal driver license for one calendar year from the date of issue.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html#NUSC

Edited November 3, 2008 by payxibka

[*JG* 2]

Now that we are together, we realized what we have ahead of us. The little things seem to become harder as we realize what needs to be

done, but in the right order. Correct me on this but I think I have this right so far...

Apply for:

Marriage license first (can't do much without it)

SSN before marriage (can change name after ceremony)

Driver's license before marriage (can change name after ceremony, only after obtaining SSN)

Is that right? She has her own bank account and I'm working on cell phone plan, but so far I think that is where we are at so far.

In Missouri, you don't need the SSN or DL to get married.

You also do not need all that stuff for AOS of a K-1. It's not necessary to adjust.

[Bforbarree 4]

I don't think you need your SSN or a driver's license before you get married.

Each state is different, you can call your local licensing department and they can tell you if you need a SSN to get married.

We went straight away to get a SSN even though we did not needed it to get married (in Washington State). The paper work did not take long (15 minutes) but getting the card took quite a while (6 weeks) so we were glad that we got on it right away.

I think the Drivers Licence is just down to personal choice, but I would definitely recommend getting an ID card of some sort to save you having to haul around your passport, if it got lost that would be a nightmare!

[~Nini~ 2]

Depends on what the rules are for obtaining marriage and drivers' licenses in your state. In PA, we applied for our marriage license the day after I entered the country (they only needed my passport), and married a week later. I opted to apply for my SSN and DL after I got married, just so I wouldn't have to go back to those places more than I had to. To be fair, I couldn't do much before them either! Obtaining my DL required my SSN, being added to my husband's benefits and our joint bank account required my SSN... list goes on.

I completely agree though with the ducks in a row analogy. I had a whole chronological list of things that we had to get done, in a specific order, because without the preceding one I couldn't move onto the next.

[Izoom 0]

Well, with our plans and getting married on December 6th, it seems like a waiting game till then. We can take care of some things prior to that, but

the rest needs to occur or would occur after. Applying for the marriage license tomorrow, supposedly there is a 3-day waiting period.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

DL do vary from State to State. In Georgia you can't get a DL without both a SSN and either a green card or EAD. The DL is only issued for the same length of time as the immigration document. I would apply for your SSN as soon as you can. Some states also require SSN for a marriage license. Good luck.

[BermyCat 1]

DL do vary from State to State. In Georgia you can't get a DL without both a SSN and either a green card or EAD. The DL is only issued for the same length of time as the immigration document. I would apply for your SSN as soon as you can. Some states also require SSN for a marriage license. Good luck.

Wait, I'm going to need to wait for my EAD before I can get a driver's license? That totally sucks.

Phil and I are getting our marriage license when I go to visit him this month. We're going to marry ASAP after I get there so we can apply for AP to get back to Bermuda in time for Dad's wedding.

So much rushing around....sigh

~ Catherine

[Krikit 1,163]

You may have a problem with the DL post October 1, 2008 law changes but appears solvable

Canadian Citizens

Under federal law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S. without obtaining US BCIS documentation. Canadians without US BCIS documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or identification card by presenting one of the following documents and a secondary form of identification:

1. Valid Canadian passport

2. Original or certified Canadian birth certificate

3. Canadian Naturalization Certificate

4. Canadian Certificate of Citizenship

All Canadian citizens will be issued an original or renewal driver license for one calendar year from the date of issue.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html#NUSC

K-1 visa negates the above.

Justin, this is what I did (applies to Florida only): Got married; applied for SSN in married name; applied for Florida resident card; applied for driver's license once I received the NOA for AOS. (They won't issue a driver's license without the NOA.) The driver's license is good for a year. Once she receives her greencard she can renew her license and it will be valid for 6 years.

[payxibka 10,044]

but the laws changed on October 1, 2008... Your experience does not appear to be the same as it is now written...

[Emancipation 2]

I already had a SSN# so just had to get my name changed on it (was my former married name), which I did after we were married. Applied for a Driver's licence almost immediately (just considered an out of state transfer of licence in CT), and filed AOS a couple of weeks later (mostly because I couldn't get it together - I was exhausted from the move and the wedding stuff).

[trailmix 77]

but the laws changed on October 1, 2008... Your experience does not appear to be the same as it is now written...

The information you posted to hasn't changed payxibka, we are in Florida too and that information was on the website when my Husband applied for his license a few months ago.

I'm not sure what you are getting at?

Plus, unless they changed it in October, the info you posted would only apply to part-time residents (as how else could you be here?) therefore they would be issuing a 'Florida Only' license rather than the regular driver's license. They never mention the Florida only license but it does exist and is available to people who do not wish to give up their license from wherever they have come from.