You visit the SSN office and then...

[July09Bride 1]

So, I know the "best" amount of time to wait before going to the SSN office, is 2 weeks from the date of entry. I was thinking... if he enters on a Monday, perhaps the following Thursday (11 days instead of the 14 days) might be okay. But, I do know what we're up against if he is NOT in the system by that time, too.

So, if we go in at day 11 (if you count his entry day as day 1), when do you think we could possibly expect his SSN card to come in the mail?

Can we ask on the spot for his number? With a couple of clicks of a mouse, can they see what his number will be? Could we call a couple of days after visiting the office to see if he has had a number assigned... even though the card hasn't been processed?

So many questions for such a simple task... I know. We're just trying to guess at the timing for his SSN for him to be added to my insurance (that goes in to effect the DAY we get married -- yea!) and are hoping to have him on my insurance before the honeymoon.

BTW... here's my guessing game plan (and I have counted weekend days in there)...

Visit SSN office - day 11

Wedding - day 26

Visit my District Office for Insurance - 29

Leave for honeymoon - day 32

Think we'll have a SSN number in time???

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I think you should be able to get the card within your schedule. I doubt they can give you a number when you ask as they have to verify the immigration information is in the SAVE system and the person to whom you give your application doesn't do that - someone else does. I was told on my first visit one week after arrival that I was not eligible. I went back the following week with all of the documentation to show that K-1s are indeed eligible and they accepted my application. My SSN arrived in the mail 10 days later. I was one of the lucky ones - it didn't have any restrictions stamped on it.

Edited June 7, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Old Dominion 26]

better to wait until you have a marriage certificate & apply in your married name. Insurance companies will accept your visa number or some other relevant government ID.

[July09Bride 1]

better to wait until you have a marriage certificate & apply in your married name. Insurance companies will accept your visa number or some other relevant government ID.

I'm the USC... he won't be changing his name. He will be be added on to my insurance. I already have to turn in the change of name form but at the same time, I can add him. We will be including a copy of the marriage certificate along with the change of name form and addition to policy form (same form)... but they want him to have his own SSN.

I think you should be able to get the card within your schedule. I doubt they can give you a number when you ask as they have to verify the immigration information is in the SAVE system and the person to whom you give your application doesn't do that - someone else does. I was told on my first visit one week after arrival that I was not eligible. I went back the following week with all of the documentation to show that K-1s are indeed eligible and they accepted my application. My SSN arrived in the mail 10 days later. I was one of the lucky ones - it didn't have any restrictions stamped on it.

Sounds good. I'm thinking we'll be okay... only because he will be entering on a Monday. Thanks!

[TimandJoyce 1]

I think you should be able to get the card within your schedule. I doubt they can give you a number when you ask as they have to verify the immigration information is in the SAVE system and the person to whom you give your application doesn't do that - someone else does. I was told on my first visit one week after arrival that I was not eligible. I went back the following week with all of the documentation to show that K-1s are indeed eligible and they accepted my application. My SSN arrived in the mail 10 days later. I was one of the lucky ones - it didn't have any restrictions stamped on it.

exactly what paper work is that? I have to have one anyways, as SC requires it for registering for the marriage license. I'll be moving down a month before the wedding, so I should be ok at receiving it in time, as long as there are no hitches. If I have evidence on me right away...that would be a good thing!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I printed off information from, I am not sure if it was the SSA page or from the immigration page (it was 5 years ago now) but it stated that K-1s were eligible to receive SSN. It was official government information. Perhaps someone else here may have a link to the appropriate information? I have certainly seen one posted on VJ over the years.

[hapycloud 0]

So, I know the "best" amount of time to wait before going to the SSN office, is 2 weeks from the date of entry. I was thinking... if he enters on a Monday, perhaps the following Thursday (11 days instead of the 14 days) might be okay. But, I do know what we're up against if he is NOT in the system by that time, too.

So, if we go in at day 11 (if you count his entry day as day 1), when do you think we could possibly expect his SSN card to come in the mail?

Can we ask on the spot for his number? With a couple of clicks of a mouse, can they see what his number will be? Could we call a couple of days after visiting the office to see if he has had a number assigned... even though the card hasn't been processed?

So many questions for such a simple task... I know. We're just trying to guess at the timing for his SSN for him to be added to my insurance (that goes in to effect the DAY we get married -- yea!) and are hoping to have him on my insurance before the honeymoon.

BTW... here's my guessing game plan (and I have counted weekend days in there)...

Visit SSN office - day 11

Wedding - day 26

Visit my District Office for Insurance - 29

Leave for honeymoon - day 32

Think we'll have a SSN number in time???

I didn't want to tell people this but I feel guilty keeping the secret, I happen to work for Social Security in a local field office and I can tell you no way will you get the number the same day. The system updates on a daily basis so changes/numbers issued "today" aren't changed until the following day. So unfortunately ladies changing your name the system will not show your married name until the following day. So if you are getting a new drivers license make sure you check with your state before going to Social Security for a name change then to DMV on the same day. My state of Delaware is one of the states were the DMV and Social Security systems link up for name matches, so if it's not updated in our system you wont get your new drivers license with your new married name. Secondly on a K-1 Visa you should get your number within the 14 BUSINESS days that the receipt indicates. Some people get it earlier than that, it reall depends on our cross checks with the Dept of Homeland Security. If you have not received your number within 30 days call or visit your local office imediately, they can reprocess your application during that time, if not you have to do it all over again because we have to ship the applications to a holding facility. I do not work at the front desk of the office btw, I am an employee who deals with Social Security claims and the occasional Social Security card so can't help with wait times, my only advice on that issue is DO NOT GO ON A MONDAY, DO NOT GO ON CHECK DAY (majority the 1st and 3rd of the month) DO NOT GO ON A DAY AFTER A HOLIDAY!!!

Hope this helps.

I think you should be able to get the card within your schedule. I doubt they can give you a number when you ask as they have to verify the immigration information is in the SAVE system and the person to whom you give your application doesn't do that - someone else does. I was told on my first visit one week after arrival that I was not eligible. I went back the following week with all of the documentation to show that K-1s are indeed eligible and they accepted my application. My SSN arrived in the mail 10 days later. I was one of the lucky ones - it didn't have any restrictions stamped on it.

Social Security reps can verify information in SAVE the majority of the time

Edited June 8, 2009 by hapycloud

[Krikit 1,164]

DO NOT GO ON A MONDAY, DO NOT GO ON CHECK DAY (majority the 1st and 3rd of the month) DO NOT GO ON A DAY AFTER A HOLIDAY!!!

What is "check day"?

[hapycloud 0]

DO NOT GO ON A MONDAY, DO NOT GO ON CHECK DAY (majority the 1st and 3rd of the month) DO NOT GO ON A DAY AFTER A HOLIDAY!!!

What is "check day"?

Check day is when people on Social Security Disability or SSI get the money (the check) People on Social Security Retirement are on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month for their money (checks)

[July09Bride 1]

I think you should be able to get the card within your schedule. I doubt they can give you a number when you ask as they have to verify the immigration information is in the SAVE system and the person to whom you give your application doesn't do that - someone else does. I was told on my first visit one week after arrival that I was not eligible. I went back the following week with all of the documentation to show that K-1s are indeed eligible and they accepted my application. My SSN arrived in the mail 10 days later. I was one of the lucky ones - it didn't have any restrictions stamped on it.

exactly what paper work is that? I have to have one anyways, as SC requires it for registering for the marriage license. I'll be moving down a month before the wedding, so I should be ok at receiving it in time, as long as there are no hitches. If I have evidence on me right away...that would be a good thing!

Check this link... here is the info that states a K1 is eligible for SSN.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

we had already signed for the card thru the cr1, waited and waited then went to the office and they showed no record of it so applied there, we could have went back the next day for the number then wait for the mail of the card but we just waited, those offices are usually sooooooo busy and take forever to get thru them

[Krikit 1,164]

Check day is when people on Social Security Disability or SSI get the money (the check) People on Social Security Retirement are on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month for their money (checks)

Oh. They have to go into the office to pick them up or are they just going in because there are problems?

[BermyCat 1]

I went to the SSA office 16 days after I entered the country and I wasn't in the SAVE system yet. My SSN took about six weeks to arrive.

Phil has BCBS of Georgia as his health insurance. They added me to his policy without the SSN. I just called them with it when I got it. The HR person thought my SSN ws required but when she told BCBS, they told her it wasn't. My insurance card arrived within the week.

~ Catherine

[La Souris 19]

Does it make any difference if we check the box "want a SSN" or not on the DS230? Is it better to say no and just go to the SSA Office?

[TimandJoyce 1]

Check this link... here is the info that states a K1 is eligible for SSN.

Thanks July!! Sure would like to use that info to say I can work!!

That's really ok..I don't wanna work anyways for a while. I'm going to be too busy getting used to a new home!

Edited June 8, 2009 by TimandJoyce