Here... Not yet Married - But now what?

[Onyx & Inari 0]

Hi, so...

Now I'm here, living in New Mexico. But what to do now, I want to know the best way of doing things rather than have to repeat something again later on down the line.

So do I go out and get an SSN on my I-94, or wait till I'm married? Is it even worth trying to Obtain a drivers permit/license now, or yet again wait till after I'm married?

I'm going round in circles, and I havent even looked in to opening a bank account etc...

Any advice will be welcomed!

Thanks in advance

Edited October 7, 2011 by Onyx & Inari

[mugumogu 18]

Do whatever you want, you're here now! If you're female, you may as well wait till after the wedding to get the SSN so it can have your new name on the SSN card. Sounds like you're not planning on getting married right away or else you would be focused on that instead of trying to keep busy till the wedding.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Check out the AOS forum here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/7-adjustment-of-status-green-card-from-family-based-visas/

You can get a SSN now if you like, but it is not required for AOS. If you do get it now though, it will "unlock" a lot of official personal business, like make it easier to get a bank account etc. As to the DL, most people can't get a DL until they have either EAD or GC, but you have to check with your state to see their own laws. I'd "let my fingers do the walking" before running all around town trying to plead with people. In other words - call/research before you go.

[Hiker 9]

Most people can't get married either unless they have SSN. At least, that is how it appears to be for my state... not sure if there is any way around it. I'm expecting we'll have to go to social security office twice, once to get SSN to get married, and second time to change the name. That seems dumb though.

[* Kristin * 49]

With regard to a driver license, I can't speak for NM particularly - but in CA - you CAN get a license before AOS; however, it will expire when your I-94 does. Not advisable!

Do you still have your foreign license? You can drive on that!

Most people can't get married either unless they have SSN. At least, that is how it appears to be for my state... not sure if there is any way around it. I'm expecting we'll have to go to social security office twice, once to get SSN to get married, and second time to change the name. That seems dumb though.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Most people can't get married either unless they have SSN. At least, that is how it appears to be for my state... not sure if there is any way around it. I'm expecting we'll have to go to social security office twice, once to get SSN to get married, and second time to change the name. That seems dumb though.

There was a federal law passed that SSN is not required for marriage in any state. I have not yet found a single state that actually does require one by their own lawbooks, though the people who dole out the license might not know. I have seen many many people claim that in their state they need a SSN for marriage, and I have found the law for each that disproves the statement. Some states require SSN for marriage if the person has a SSN, but if they do not, they sign a statement that they have no such document. I am nearly certain if you would look at your own state laws you would find SSN is not required.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

My state's website says that a SSN is required for a marriage license, but a quick phone call to the county clerk cleared up that if you are not a US citizen, you aren't required to have one. I imagine that's the same for most (if not all) states.

[Hiker 9]

There was a federal law passed that SSN is not required for marriage in any state. I have not yet found a single state that actually does require one by their own lawbooks, though the people who dole out the license might not know. I have seen many many people claim that in their state they need a SSN for marriage, and I have found the law for each that disproves the statement. Some states require SSN for marriage if the person has a SSN, but if they do not, they sign a statement that they have no such document. I am nearly certain if you would look at your own state laws you would find SSN is not required.

Well that's good to know. It is confusing though, because both state and town web sites indicate the SSN requirement, as well as every other web site I happened to stumble across about the rules. And, the marriage license form also has a line for SSN. I wonder if the town clerk is aware of the law or if they'll insist the SSN needs to be there for them to accept it.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Well that's good to know. It is confusing though, because both state and town web sites indicate the SSN requirement, as well as every other web site I happened to stumble across about the rules. And, the marriage license form also has a line for SSN. I wonder if the town clerk is aware of the law or if they'll insist the SSN needs to be there for them to accept it.

I suggest calling them. That's what I had to do.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Well that's good to know. It is confusing though, because both state and town web sites indicate the SSN requirement, as well as every other web site I happened to stumble across about the rules. And, the marriage license form also has a line for SSN. I wonder if the town clerk is aware of the law or if they'll insist the SSN needs to be there for them to accept it.

What state? I checked up on a report of Georgia, and while everything online said you needed SSN, there was a notation to the law itself, and when I read the law, SSN was not needed. So, what state? We can test our internet research mettle.

[milimelo 4,502]

MOving to AOS forum.

[SF2007 48]

I moved to NM as well and you can get a marriage license and certificate without any SSN. So I'd say: plan your wedding!

However you will absolutely need a SSN to trade in your foreign driver's license and according to half MVD office clerks here in Albuquerque (the other half didn't have a clue), you have 90 days to comply and get a local driver's license after moving to the state. I was told they do not enforce it much. I did my business with MVD Express and I would recommend paying the extra $30 or so. Instead of waiting hours at a regular MVD office you'll be done much more quickly. You will also have to take (and pay for) the written exam, which you can study online, and bring 3 proof of residence (utility bills and car insurance with both your name and address no older than 30 days are best).

Banking was close to impossible prior to SSN (I was even told by my banker they would rather wait for me to have my green card before they did business with me!) and finding the best option for us took a while. We turned my husband's account into a joint account and I applied as a co-applicant on his credit card. This way, I am also building credit. I was approved without any credit history in the U.S.

If you have any questions NM-specific, feel free to PM me.

[ateneaalexander 10]

i got married 3 days after i came to the states 2 weeks later i got my SSN with my new lastname on it now we getting ready to send AOS .

[newlyweds2010 208]

Hi, so...

Now I'm here, living in New Mexico. But what to do now, I want to know the best way of doing things rather than have to repeat something again later on down the line.

So do I go out and get an SSN on my I-94, or wait till I'm married? Is it even worth trying to Obtain a drivers permit/license now, or yet again wait till after I'm married?

I'm going round in circles, and I havent even looked in to opening a bank account etc...

Any advice will be welcomed!

Thanks in advance

I might be wrong, but I think that NM is one of the few states that allows to get a driver license regardless of the immigration status, meaning that you are not required to show a GC.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

There are only 3 States of the Union left that issue a driver's license without proof of lawful presence: Washington, Utah, and New Mexico.

So you can apply, but you will have to proof that you are residing in the state of New Mexico. They will want to see your rent or lease, utility bills, etc.

I still would suggest the following: get your SSN in your maiden name now.

Wait until you've received either your Green Card or your EAD before you apply for a driver's license.

I don't feel like explaining it in detail now, but it has to do with the fact that you can drive without problems with your British license for quite some time, but if you get a New Mexico license and it expires, you are in the system as "license to operate a motor vehicle expired" and that's something that would prevent you from driving (lawfully) with your British license as well.