SSN it's been 2 weeks!

[Steve & Rema 4]

So I just got back from the SSN office. The guy at the desk filled in all my info on the computer and then said he couldn't find me in the system, and that it was asking to "Insert Additional Verification". He was saying something like that I should apply for EAD after I marry and then go to the office with my EAD approval. I told him how people are able to get the SSN prior to even marrying, and he said he doesn't know, that the computer is asking for verification that he doesn't have. It has been 2 weeks since I've been here, I arrived on the 14th. Shouldn't I be in the system already? Shouldn't I be able to apply for my SSN?

Please help!

Edit: I was there for about 45 minutes at the window, I even asked him to ask someone else in there what this "verification" thing was, because he didn't even know what it was. He went to ask but came back with nothing. I don't know if he just didn't know what he was doing, or if something is wrong. I asked him if he's dealt with K-1 visa holders there before and he said yes.

Edited August 28, 2012 by Steve & Rema

[JohnR! 5,495]

So I just got back from the SSN office. The guy at the desk filled in all my info on the computer and then said he couldn't find me in the system, and that it was asking to "Insert Additional Verification". He was saying something like that I should apply for EAD after I marry and then go to the office with my EAD approval. I told him how people are able to get the SSN prior to even marrying, and he said he doesn't know, that the computer is asking for verification that he doesn't have. It has been 2 weeks since I've been here, I arrived on the 14th. Shouldn't I be in the system already? Shouldn't I be able to apply for my SSN?

Please help!

Edit: I was there for about 45 minutes at the window, I even asked him to ask someone else in there what this "verification" thing was, because he didn't even know what it was. He went to ask but came back with nothing. I don't know if he just didn't know what he was doing, or if something is wrong. I asked him if he's dealt with K-1 visa holders there before and he said yes.

In principle yes you should be able to apply for your SSN before getting married but in practice most SSA offices will require the EAD as well. If you need a SSN for anything other than working - which you can't do anyway, without your EAD - you can cut it short and avoid the aggravation with a SSA agent, you can get a ITIN which will raise less questions and will serve the same purpose.

Once you get your EAD you can then apply for a true SSN , valid for work and everything else.

Edited August 28, 2012 by Gegel

[Steve & Rema 4]

Thanks for your reply! I don't think it's that they need my EAD, because he was just suggesting that as an option. The main problem was that I wasn't in the system and it was asking for additional Verification (which I read is normal if you're not in the system yet). After browsing the guide for the SSN here, it seems that my best bet is to wait another week and then go back and hope that I'm in the system. I think I just may have gone too soon even though we waited the suggested two weeks.

Anyone have experience with it taking longer?

I know I don't need an SSN to marry or file for AOS, if I'm not in the system next week still.. am I alright if I decide to wait till I get my EAD to get my SSN? How would having my SSN soon, benefit me? Won't I need it to be put on his insurance after we marry and have a bank account?

Edited August 28, 2012 by Steve & Rema

[baron555 934]

Wait one more week and then go back. That's what we did.

[Steve & Rema 4]

Wait one more week and then go back. That's what we did.

Thanks, we will be doing that. I just hope I'll actually be in the system at that time.

[MyBeloved 0]

In principle yes you should be able to apply for your SSN before getting married but in practice most SSA offices will require the EAD as well. If you need a SSN for anything other than working - which you can't do anyway, without your EAD - you can cut it short and avoid the aggravation with a SSA agent, you can get a ITIN which will raise less questions and will serve the same purpose.

Once you get your EAD you can then apply for a true SSN , valid for work and everything else.

It happens to me, the first time I went to get my SSN the lady made a lot of mistake to my name,it's because I didn't know that the middle name they are talking about was my second name,because in my country when you said middle name it should be your mother's maiden name, you need to make sure that the clerk typed your name the same what is written on your I-94 because sometimes they don't know it, happens to me...we waited for 4weeks then we called again, and they said I need to apply again cause they haven't verified it, my name was already on their system but the lady who did my application made a mistake.You don't need EAD to get SSN because K-1 visa holder required to have it..you just need your passport with I-94,your Birth Certificate and the from I-55.The next time I went to SSN I complaint!!! I'm glad a different person assisted me and he knows better about my case,and he verified it successfully,and I got my card after 6 days.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Not sure if this is related. My fiancee (now wife) arrived in July, we got married 4 days later, we then went to have her apply for her SSN two weeks afterwards. The Social Security office gave her letter acknowledging her application. However, they are waiting for identification verification information input CPB. It has now been 4 weeks and CPB has yet to update their system with my wife's or stepson's information. I spoke with a CPB officer yesterday and asked when the information would be inputted into their system. She said that it was out of their hands. She explained to me that after the CPB folks at the POE airport process the I-94s, then they are batched together and mailed to a government contractor for data input. I then asked her who I could talk to regarding this 4 week delay. She replied, "There isn't anyone to talk to about this." I was polite, thanked her for her help.

After getting off of the phone, I composed and sent a letter to our US Senator about this issue. Our information seems to be being held hostage by some slovenly government contractor. We are at an impasse. Without the identification verification information input by CPB, we cannot get my wife a SSN, get my wife or step-son WA state identification cards, my step-son is having issues getting his admission to local college (at non-resident rates [$$]). etc. The effects of this bureaucratic logjam keep growing and expanding... I explained all of this in my letter to our Senator. If I get nowhere with the Senator, next will be the USCIS ombudsman.

I hope that you are not in a similar situation. If you are, be proactive and contact your federal legislative people and inform them of your plight. This legal immigration system is broken and this is but another example of it.

I wish you good luck in your immigration journey.

Edited August 28, 2012 by A&B

[Steve & Rema 4]

Thanks for the replies. The clerk at the SSN office didn't type my name incorrectly, he even tried to type it differently to make sure it wasn't a spelling mistake. I just wasn't in the system, which is frustrating, but honestly I had a feeling this would happen.

A & B that sounds extremely annoying to deal with, I hope your issue gets resolved soon. If i'm still not Saved in the system by next Tuesday, then I'm going to head to the CPB office and see what is going on, and if all my information was put in correctly. I really want my SSN card, it would make things a lot easier. Why does everything have to be some a chore

[feli114 65]

Same problem here. We waited 3 weeks to go to the SS office. They said something about a new system and they were having problems with it. My fiance's information would have to be verified and it could take up to 4 weeks for him to get his social security card. But I did go to the bank and they said he would not need the card for me to add him and the same thing for his driver's license, thank God.

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving from K-1 Process to the SSN section.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Update:

Since my issue seems to be concerning the glacial pace of activity at the CPB, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), though not USCIS, another DHS agency. Therefore a call to the USCIS Customer Service Center was futile, except to educate me further about government bureaucracies. A call to the USCIS ombudsman would also likely be futile. I just sent an email inquiry to the CPB Public Information office. I wonder what, and if, anything will come from that inquiry....

Gee, this makes me feel real good doing the legal immigration process.............NOT !!!!

[xjoseyx 19]

HI! i waited 2 weeks and applied and they told me it would take 8 weeks. It took them 10 weeks to give me something which was a denial letter in the end. They took too long to verify me with Homeland Security and my I-94 ran out which is the reason they denied me. "we cannot issue you a social security number at this time because youre paperwork will expire before we can issue you one". Its ridiculous. My EAD is in the post now so when I recieve it I'll be going straight back in and reapplying.

I hope you get yours soon. I cant do anything without it here. My I-94 running out has been the most inconvienient thing. I just want to be able to get a driving license and buy and register a car. Sigh.

[AmyWrites 593]

I've been waiting nearly an entire month. I am going to the SSN office tomorrow.

[Pitaya 2,577]

I've been waiting nearly an entire month. I am going to the SSN office tomorrow.

How did it go? Success?

[Steve & Rema 4]

So I went in today and it was the same story. I still wasn't showing up in the system. It was the same guy, he even remembered me. This time however, he photocopied my info, took my form and sent something online to Immigration and told me he would contact me when he gets news from them. If they give him the "OK" then he can go ahead and process it since he has my info. If not then I guess I'll have to figure out why, and see what I can do. I have a letter saying I should hear from them in the coming 4 weeks.

Edited September 6, 2012 by Steve & Rema