help?

[newlyweds 0]

hi, i applied for my ssn the day after i arrived here in the country (thru K-1 visa)and is still waiting for it in the mail. i dont have a driver's license yet and only have a military ID (which we applied for a few days after the wedding and i used my new name in that ID>> i wasnt even sure yet if i can do that but they let me do that when we went in)

i learned that legally changing my name to my new married name can be done thru the SSN card and driver's license but i dont have my ssn yet either so i cant apply for d/l

so any suggestions what i should do? i know it would've been better to have applied for it after the wedding but we already did so yeah i cant cry over spilt milk.

Can i just go to the SSA office and bring my marriage cert. then have them change my information? also will that delay my SSN card even more?

if i get the card even before i go in for the name change, will i have to give them back my SSN card for the name change or will they just send me a new one? and how long will i get the new one with my new name?

[Scott and Mhay 57]

just wait to get your card...then you can go back and change your name. I believe the form allows for this. that would be your best bet. you already have the military ID (dependent card) so you have identification. dont worry about the State ID until you have your SSN....also, your name on the SSN and DL has to match. So you will want to wait for the new SSN card to come. Otherwise your State ID will be in your maiden name.

[newlyweds 0]

oh ok, well thank you.. do you know how long it will take to get the name change? i am still on the process of learning how to drive anyway lol but i do want to know the waiting i need to do for all this so that i can estimate the time for when i can apply for the driver's license or the state ID

[Scott and Mhay 57]

it should only take a couple of weeks. It shouldnt be too long...depends mostly on the mail system

[newlyweds 0]

oh ok.. but yes, i just want to verify.. that's the only thing to do to have legal name change right?

[Scott and Mhay 57]

to get your name correct on your DL, yes. Most states have a homeland security check and they will not put a different name other than what is on your SSN card.

Of course you need make the same changes on your passport, but you can wait until it is close to expiring for that.

The big thing is you got your dependent ID card right and you are put into DEERS. you can always use that ID to prove who you are and your name change.

[newlyweds 0]

well true, that is very helpful and yes, i gues my military ID is quite helpful

thanks so much for the input

[Darnell 8,478]

If you went to SSA office ONE DAY after the POE date - well, sorry - they won't have any record of you.

It takes 10 days to 2 weeks (when it works ) for the government computers to sync up properly.

GO BACK to a SSA office, apply again.

GOOD LUCK !

[newlyweds 0]

yeah i know a lot of people say that, i was jst being hopeful as one member did that right away and he said his wife got it 8 days after her POE.

I've also been told that information is put into the system the night after and not really 2 weeks after.