Can not change name on SS# until she receives her EAD?

[mike42979 57]

My wife and i went to the SSA office today because she has a SS# from when she was here on a student work visa back in 2008 and we wanted to change her name associated with that SS# but were told we can not do that until she receives her EAD or Permanent resident status has anyone else had this issue or something similar where they needed EAD or GC before doing anything with a SS#?

[Inky 1,111]

She should only need her marriage certificate to change the name on her SSN.

[Soapz 14]

Same thing happened to me. If she does not have a work permit or the GC Soc. Sec can't change the name on the SS-Card. When she came on her Student Visa and was allowed to work they use a specific code in the system that can't be changed if she is not allowed to work at the time you request the change to be made. It's a software problem they have.

[HowardandFlorence 0]

Florence was issued a Social Security card in her maiden name about 4 weeks after she arrived here from Ghana. Once we were married, we went back to the Social Security office and showed them our certified marriage license, Ghanaian passport with valid K-1 visa and unexpired I-94 card and the original SS card. There was about 2.5 weeks left on her I-94. We were told there had to be some time left on the I-94 for the name change to be processed but I don't remember how much. She received the new SS card in her married name a few days before we applied for AOS.

[Justin and Kate 2]

Well, I changed my SS# name easily, it took us like 2-3 weeks total. I also had my SS# card from last work and travel visa back in 2007. So we came to local office and I brought Russian passport with K1 visa, valid I-94 and Marriage Certificate. AND I didn't apply for AOS that time yet. Soapz is right, there's some software issue...that's why it took more than usual, officer said that he needs to do someyhing manualy and send some kinda request to immigration service or border patrol (sorry I don't remember exactly) The thing is that's absolutely not true that you can not change name if you don't have your EAD! WHO gave you this info? Did you go to local SS office?

[Soapz 14]

I don't know about mike - I got that info from the SS office directly. I involved the school, SEVIS and about everybody else I could think of - they couldn't/didn't do it. So, my best guess is, the SS office told mike directly that they can't do it.

[Dave&Roza 748]

I have never understood why people get so worked up about the name on the SSC. Who is going to see your SSC anyway? The name is only important when you go to claim benefits. You have until then to get it changed to the name you want. I have shown my SSC maybe three times in my life. Both copies reside in a very safe place. For the I-9 form I just use my US passport. There are just too many stressful parts to this journey and adding the idiots at the SSA to them is not what I want to do. She has a SSN, that is all that is needed. My wife's name is misspelled from our 2010 taxes as the person entering the data missed the "u" and hit the 'I' for her lastname. I am not worrying about it as I will file electronically this year and the problem should be fixed. If not the number is correct and that is all that really matters.

I know you would like to get your wife's name changed on the SSC, but how much are you willing to fit this battle? You can e-mail the main SSA office on their website and explain your situation and get the correct information from them. They may even give you an e-mail in which you go back to the main office and train the person as to what the proper proceduce is. Or you could wait until the GC arrives and then there is no way they can deny you--oh wait this is the SSA that has a bunch of.........working for them.

Good luck,

Dave

[Lainie B 465]

I have never understood why people get so worked up about the name on the SSC. Who is going to see your SSC anyway? The name is only important when you go to claim benefits. You have until then to get it changed to the name you want. I have shown my SSC maybe three times in my life. Both copies reside in a very safe place. For the I-9 form I just use my US passport. There are just too many stressful parts to this journey and adding the idiots at the SSA to them is not what I want to do. She has a SSN, that is all that is needed. My wife's name is misspelled from our 2010 taxes as the person entering the data missed the "u" and hit the 'I' for her lastname. I am not worrying about it as I will file electronically this year and the problem should be fixed. If not the number is correct and that is all that really matters.

I know you would like to get your wife's name changed on the SSC, but how much are you willing to fit this battle? You can e-mail the main SSA office on their website and explain your situation and get the correct information from them. They may even give you an e-mail in which you go back to the main office and train the person as to what the proper proceduce is. Or you could wait until the GC arrives and then there is no way they can deny you--oh wait this is the SSA that has a bunch of.........working for them.

Good luck,

Dave

The DMV would not issue me a new drivers license in my married name because my SS card was in my maiden name. They did not ask to see my card but they did need to know the number, and they could access the SSA system and could see that the card was still in my maiden name. I had to get it changed at SSA before I could get a drivers license. Also when I started working the card needed to be in my married name (ie it had to match the EAD card). So unfortunately yes it is necessary to change your card if it is in your married name.

I had the same problem as the OP, I tried to change my card from my maiden name to my married name, but my I-94 was about to expire so I had to wait for my EAD. They told me they could not access my records in the system. So I went back when I had my EAD. They sent a new card very quickly, in about 5 days.

Edited January 31, 2012 by Lainie B

[TheFantastics09 19]

I guess it differs depending on where you live. I re-applied for my SSN in my married name and did not receive one. Went back 2 weeks after I received my EAD and got my new one a few days ago. They told me it was because my name at first did not match what DHS had in their system. Once I had applied for AOS and received the EAD, my married name was then recognized.

[then 0]

I tried to change my wife's name on her SSN after the I-94 form expired.

The lady at the office said that she changed the name in the Social Security database but she couldn't issue a new card until we have a green card.

[Lainie B 465]

I tried to change my wife's name on her SSN after the I-94 form expired.

The lady at the office said that she changed the name in the Social Security database but she couldn't issue a new card until we have a green card.

According to the SSA website, this is what they are SUPPOSED to do - change the name in their database but not issue a new card until you present an EAD/GC. However it seems most of the time they don't even bother to do that much.

(BTW your wife can use her EAD when she receives it to get a new social security card, you don't have to wait for the GC).

Two more reasons why you should change your name on your card as soon as you are able (from the SSA website):

If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security. If you are working, also tell your employer. If you do not tell us when your name changes, it may:

Delay your tax refund; and

Prevent your wages from being posted correctly to your Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits.

[mike42979 57]

Yeah the guy at the window said they can only change the name to whatever is on the i-94 or her greencard/EAD so oh well for now though it kinda sucks because it will delay license and other issues.

[pddp 240]

SS employees are clueless. You should absolutely be able to change your name after marriage, before the I-94 expires and before any EAD/GC- the number once given to you is yours for life, it should be up-to-date, you're doing them a favor by showing up with a marriage certificate to allow them to update your info. Their computer system DOES allow them to do that, I was able to do it at the local office here. All I had was my old number from when I was a student (not even the old card), my passport and K1 visa + I-94, and our marriage certificate.

[Krikit 1,166]

Moving from AOS Progress to the SSN section.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I have never understood why people get so worked up about the name on the SSC. Who is going to see your SSC anyway? The name is only important when you go to claim benefits. You have until then to get it changed to the name you want. I have shown my SSC maybe three times in my life. Both copies reside in a very safe place. For the I-9 form I just use my US passport. There are just too many stressful parts to this journey and adding the idiots at the SSA to them is not what I want to do. She has a SSN, that is all that is needed. My wife's name is misspelled from our 2010 taxes as the person entering the data missed the "u" and hit the 'I' for her lastname. I am not worrying about it as I will file electronically this year and the problem should be fixed. If not the number is correct and that is all that really matters.

Actually you need to file taxes in whatever name is on the card otherwise the taxes won't be accepted. It's happened to several people and me in fact. I had to file my 2009 taxes in my maiden name (didn't really bother me honestly) because my name with the SSA was still maiden.