Rejected at SSA office

[jbrid 0]

We decided to wait until after we were married to get a SSN for my wife. I didn't see any reason to get it before. Now in hindsight, I wish we had.

We went to the SSA office yesterday. The clerk said that since we were already married he could not issue the SSN in her new name because she was in the immigration system under her previous name.

I spent about 20 minutes debating/pleading with the guy and his associates. They would not budge. They clearly had very little experience dealing with K-1 applicants. He kept trying to say that since we were now married, her status has changed to K-3. Yeah right!

I would seriously advise people to get the SSN shortly after you arrive in the states just to be safe. Then, go back and change the name after marriage.

Any advice for our situation? I would like my wife to get a SSN fairly soon so that she can get a proper drivers license.

I know I could try to go to a SSA office in a bigger city where the people are more knowledgeable. However, the idea of traveling several hours to only be rejected again is not a pleasant thought.

[obbynox 0]

Once your wife has employment authorisation you should be able to go back and reapply. If the K1 visa has a time frame of less than 2 weeks you will not be able to apply until her EAD/Green card (if you didn't apply for EAD) is in hand!

Selina

[milimelo 4,498]

We decided to wait until after we were married to get a SSN for my wife. I didn't see any reason to get it before. Now in hindsight, I wish we had.

We went to the SSA office yesterday. The clerk said that since we were already married he could not issue the SSN in her new name because she was in the immigration system under her previous name.

I spent about 20 minutes debating/pleading with the guy and his associates. They would not budge. They clearly had very little experience dealing with K-1 applicants. He kept trying to say that since we were now married, her status has changed to K-3. Yeah right!

I would seriously advise people to get the SSN shortly after you arrive in the states just to be safe. Then, go back and change the name after marriage.

Any advice for our situation? I would like my wife to get a SSN fairly soon so that she can get a proper drivers license.

I know I could try to go to a SSA office in a bigger city where the people are more knowledgeable. However, the idea of traveling several hours to only be rejected again is not a pleasant thought.

Go to a different office and get the SSN in her maiden name - don't mention you are already married. Of course, if you are in the last two weeks of I-94 validity they may reject issuing SSN and you may have to wait for the EAD or GC to come.

And file AOS asap.

[dutchmatt 1]

She should have applied before you got married and soon after her arrival in the US.

[jbrid 0]

Thanks for the options and info. I should have mentioned that I mailed the AOS/EAD/AP package last week and am waiting to hear back on all that.

Back to the SSA fiasco...

At one point, I actually told the SSA clerk that I could simply go to another SSA office and not reveal our marriage and get the SSN. I told him that because the flaws in his logic were so obvious. He then told me that if I did that I would be "committing fraud". The guy was a complete clown.

It is nearly impossible to have a sensible debate with these people. I just wish there were some documents that could educate them with.

She should have applied before you got married and soon after her arrival in the US.

Correct, like I said...in hindsight, that is what I would have done and that is what I would advise others to do.

[Old Dominion 26]

Though it's probably convenient to get the SSN issue out of the way, no state will issue a driver's license without evidence that she is here legally -- at least her NOA1 for the AOS, sometimes the EAD is needed, and apparently in other cases, the GC is necessary.

[Krikit 1,164]

Here is a link to the documents: Link to post with SSA Policy Documents

I am moving your thread from the AOS forum to the SSN section. "I Quit" (formerly mdyoung) hangs out in that section and is the resident expert.

[Krikit 1,164]

She should have applied before you got married and soon after her arrival in the US.

Correct, like I said...in hindsight, that is what I would have done and that is what I would advise others to do.

Many of us successfully applied after our marriages. You just have to take their policy and procedure documentation and escalate to their supervisors if you meet resistance.

[TracyTN 237]

Most offices are oblivious to the K1 rules - hence printing out the doc that Krikit linked (also in my sig) is essential for K1ers, as is going at least 10 days after entry (and prior to day 76 on your I 94). Even if you get the card in the alien's maiden name, you can change it to her married name rather easily.

[Krikit 1,164]

Even if you get the card in the alien's maiden name, you can change it to her married name rather easily.

Oh. Since you mention it (lol) here is a link to the name change policy:

SSA Name Change Policy Document

[TracyTN 237]

Coolio!!

[jbrid 0]

Here is a link to the documents: Link to post with SSA Policy Documents

I am moving your thread from the AOS forum to the SSN section. "I Quit" (formerly mdyoung) hangs out in that section and is the resident expert.

I had a copy of that 'RM 00203.500' policy with me at the SSA office. I showed it to the clerk. His only reaction was, "Oh, can you show me where you found that. I was trying to find that the other day". At this point, he turned his monitor around and asked me to point him to where these documents were located on the web.

I don't think 'RM 00203.500' would have helped me much in this situation anyway. The clerk's argument was not based on employment status. He simply said the system would not allow my wife's new name because only her old name was in that system. If we had come to him before we were married, he would have issued the card, no problem.

Edited September 30, 2009 by jbrid

[Anh map 2,098]

Bringing the copy of the SSA policy/procedure is advisable.

For Linh we brought the previously mentioned document, passport w/I94, our marriage certificate and the card was issued in her married name w/o problem.

Go back with the doc and educate them (politely) and it ought to go well.

[TracyTN 237]

Here is a link to the documents: Link to post with SSA Policy Documents

I am moving your thread from the AOS forum to the SSN section. "I Quit" (formerly mdyoung) hangs out in that section and is the resident expert.

I had a copy of that 'RM 00203.500' policy with me at the SSA office. I showed it to the clerk. His only reaction was, "Oh, can you show me where you found that. I was trying to find that the other day". At this point, he turned his monitor around and asked me to point him to where these documents were located on the web.

I don't think 'RM 00203.500' would have helped me much in this situation anyway. The clerk's argument was not based on employment status. He simply said the system would not allow my wife's new name because only her old name was in that system. If we had come to him before we were married, he would have issued the card, no problem.

In that case, I would have asked to speak to a supervisor. If you had documents proving both her maiden name and the fact that she can legally change her name (namely, a certified copy of your marriage certificate), there is still no reason they couldn't have done it. Though I'll be curious to hear what I Quit thinks about it.

[redglasses 1]

Just wondered, did you bring a marriage certificate which has her new name on it?