Should she carry her passport at all times?

[Achillezz 0]

My wife came in on a K-1. We are now married and are adjusting her status.

We had a bit of a panic the other day because her passport had somehow fallen out of her purse (at her mom's house luckily), and we searched everywhere at our house and cars and then later found it at her mom's house. So that lil chain of events leads to my question.

Should she carry her passport with her at all times? Or, in the alternative, can she carry a color copy of her passport biographical page along with her K-1 visa and entry stamp, and a certified marriage certificate and be ok should she ever get questioned?

Im just so worried because we worked SOOO hard for that K-1 tucked away in her passport and I dont want it to get lost to happen-stance, ya know?

Thanks everyone!

[Ryan H 3,790]

Store the actual passport in a safe. Carry the copies that you mentioned if desired.

[gigi_a 0]

Get her a state ID or drivers license! That is good for inside of the US. Don't carry around her passport and I am not sure if copies will do for identification.

Edited June 8, 2011 by gigi_a

[Achillezz 0]

Get her a state ID or drivers license! That is good for inside of the US. Don't carry around her passport and I am not sure if copies will do for identification.

We need her SSN before she can get her DL as far as I know for the State of California.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Generally speaking: do not carry stuff around with you that is expensive or difficult to replace. That applies to your gold-crusted Rolex, the diamond necklace, an heirloom, a Green Card, and a passport equally. I assume you are a US citizen? Tell, me how many times have you been asked to show your passport or prove your immigration or citizenship status while doing your daily duties in your hometown?

[ryna 132]

Generally speaking: do not carry stuff around with you that is expensive or difficult to replace. That applies to your gold-crusted Rolex, the diamond necklace, an heirloom, a Green Card, and a passport equally. I assume you are a US citizen? Tell, me how many times have you been asked to show your passport or prove your immigration or citizenship status while doing your daily duties in your hometown?

It's not terribly likely but it's not unheard of, either. It's a good idea to have something. In most cases, copies should suffice.

[Darnell 8,478]

I echo Ryan Here - copies...

(btw, she apply in person for SSN at SSA office, yet?)

[Achillezz 0]

I echo Ryan Here - copies...

(btw, she apply in person for SSN at SSA office, yet?)

Copies it is! Thanks all.

Yes she did try to apply in person at a local SS office. They told her that since she had already married that she could not apply for a SSN until she received her EAD. She took the piece of paper that supposedly would suffice in informing the SS office that her I-94 is prrof enough to obtain a SSN. They still declined her a chance to apply for her SSN until we received her actual EAD.

I was pissed needless to say. So I called the SSN office myself and spoke with a very nice lady who looked for the particular internal office note that stated the I-94 was proof enough that she can apply. However, after spending 45 mins looking she could not find it and her rules clearly stated that we need an EAD to apply. So Im not sure what overwrote the previous rule, but they do not show that rule anymore in there system.

So now we wait, and I grow poorer by the day as my wife is not allowed to work, and hence, cant return to her schooling as I can not afford it on my income alone.

/le sigh

Edited June 8, 2011 by Achillezz

[Darnell 8,478]

if there's more than 14 days to go before her I-94 expires..

go to another SSA office, apply in passport name.

sort out the married name, later.