What do I do now?

[JadedKiwi 8]

Hello all,

I'm new to this section of the forums, finally made it through the K1 application side of things!

I flew in at the beginning of this month with my K1 in hand and I am now settled at home with my Mr.

What steps do I take now?

Should I apply for SSN now? and if so do I check "Legal alien allowed to work" on the SS-5 for in accordance with the information outlined on RM 10211.530 (List of Documents Establishing Lawful Alien Status for an SSN card)?

Or should I wait until after we are married to apply and then just apply in my married name to save any confusion?

We will be getting married within the next couple of weeks. Silly question, but after the wedding do I have to notify anyone of my change of surname? Or can I just begin using it?

When we file for AoS shall I use married name from the start? I've heard of others using maiden names and then asking for GC to be in married name. It's all a little confusing.

We aim to go tomorrow to the Social Security Office to get the app submitted and then onto the courthouse for Marriage License.

Thank you for any help, it is much appreciated.

-Sarah

[jlisakay 2]

I went to SS office after wedding and was told not a fiancee anymore so would have to wait for GC to get one so get it before your wedding although I've heard since they were wrong and I could of got it after marriage so go for it all the best to you both

[Zen Den 18]

Hello all,

I'm new to this section of the forums, finally made it through the K1 application side of things!

I flew in at the beginning of this month with my K1 in hand and I am now settled at home with my Mr.

What steps do I take now?

Should I apply for SSN now? and if so do I check "Legal alien allowed to work" on the SS-5 for in accordance with the information outlined on RM 10211.530 (List of Documents Establishing Lawful Alien Status for an SSN card)?

Or should I wait until after we are married to apply and then just apply in my married name to save any confusion?

We will be getting married within the next couple of weeks. Silly question, but after the wedding do I have to notify anyone of my change of surname? Or can I just begin using it?

When we file for AoS shall I use married name from the start? I've heard of others using maiden names and then asking for GC to be in married name. It's all a little confusing.

We aim to go tomorrow to the Social Security Office to get the app submitted and then onto the courthouse for Marriage License.

Thank you for any help, it is much appreciated.

-Sarah

congratulations!

better to get married first (saves you time and energy going back and forth to the ssa office)

you can (should) begin using it. no need to officially notify anyone about your new name, once you start using it in forms some will ask for your marriage cert, that's all)

yes, because whatever name you put in the application is what will appear on your GC. trust me, changing names in your gc could cause be a big hassle so it's better to stick to one (new) name =)

[JadedKiwi 8]

congratulations!

better to get married first (saves you time and energy going back and forth to the ssa office)

you can (should) begin using it. no need to officially notify anyone about your new name, once you start using it in forms some will ask for your marriage cert, that's all)

yes, because whatever name you put in the application is what will appear on your GC. trust me, changing names in your gc could cause be a big hassle so it's better to stick to one (new) name =)

Thank you ^.^

The SSA office isn't too far away from us and I'm kind of thinking that applying for it while still classed as fiance then changing it may be the better option. I'd hate to be told to wait for it until after I get GC because that's more time out of work and I also need to be applying for a Drivers permit/license too. Back in the UK I never needed to learn to drive, here...it's a requirement lol

I'd like to hit the ground running, so to speak.

As for the advice on using married name, thank you kindly for the info. It's much appreciated

Edited November 30, 2011 by EternityFae

[Dave&Roza 748]

Thank you ^.^

The SSA office isn't too far away from us and I'm kind of thinking that applying for it while still classed as fiance then changing it may be the better option. I'd hate to be told to wait for it until after I get GC because that's more time out of work and I also need to be applying for a Drivers permit/license too. Back in the UK I never needed to learn to drive, here...it's a requirement lol

I'd like to hit the ground running, so to speak.

As for the advice on using married name, thank you kindly for the info. It's much appreciated

Just to be clear here. You still cannot legally work until you get your EAD or GC. You are "A legal alien allowed to work" so you can get a SSN, but you will receive a SSC with "Not valid for work without DHS authorization" which is the EAD or GC. This has been discussed to death on this site. What is confusing is that you are dealing with two seperate government agencies with two seperate rules and set of procedures. SSA cannot grant anyone the right to work. Only DHS can do that. SSA issues SSN and benefits. Take a look at the I-9 form that your employer needs to fill out when you are hired and see which documents you have or will have once you receive your SSC.

Most people have been calling or e-mail the main SSA office to tell them about not being able to get their SSC as a K-1 visaholder. The main office replies with an e-mail that you then take to the local office to educate them that you are eligible for a SSN even if you are now married. Search the threads as one person posted the e-mail from the main office. So I would make certain you take notes while there so you can document your experience to the main SSA office should you have any problems. This is one of those hit or misses of this process--some of us have no problems getting the SSN and other have a lot of problems.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited November 30, 2011 by Dave&Roza

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thank you ^.^

The SSA office isn't too far away from us and I'm kind of thinking that applying for it while still classed as fiance then changing it may be the better option. I'd hate to be told to wait for it until after I get GC because that's more time out of work and I also need to be applying for a Drivers permit/license too. Back in the UK I never needed to learn to drive, here...it's a requirement lol

I'd like to hit the ground running, so to speak.

As for the advice on using married name, thank you kindly for the info. It's much appreciated

Apply before you get married to save yourself confusion.

Also as already stated, you CANNOT work without an EAD or GC. The SSN will help you get on bank accounts, health insurance and other stuff but until you get the EAD you can't work.