SSN Howto

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

BLUF, it doesn't matter. You have the number, not much need for the card. You're just gonna go back soon and re-apply for a card in her married name.

As Darnell is alluding, my wife's card didn't end up in our mailbox, it got returned to the SSA. Caused us some heartburn and delayed us getting the card a coupla months.

[Vanitas 310]

At Brother D's veiled request, here's my experience of yesterday:

SSN was all good and shorter than the usual 2 weeks you suggest (I guess thanks to the automation of the I-94 and therefore entry into SAVE, maybe?). But there was one issue. Where CBP "messed up" (in the words of the SSA staffer), regarding given names (e.g. first and middle combined into first) she managed to override it and separate them for the purposes of my SSN. Not sure how, but clearly this staffer was in the know. If she couldn't do that she said I could modify it after I got the card. I went to the Warwick, RI office.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Wheatley

[Darnell 8,478]

That's Great, Wheatley ! For more fun, get back there today or tomorrow, and

either get the number

or

learn of other problems.

[Darnell 8,478]

*bump* - this is a personal bump, to remind me to update the K-1 section, add POE SAVE db verification, and write more about name cards for USPS.

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

I recently visited my local Social Security Admin office to apply for a Social Security card for my Fiance who entered the United States on a K-1. They told us that we had to be married in order for her to apply for a card and that we had to present a Marriage Certificate. I gave them her passport and the I-94 and it has been 15 days since her POE. I'm unsure of what to do at this point as the supervisor there said the same thing. Any help would be really appreciated.

[Darnell 8,478]

Study here : http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Print out the RM 10211.530 referenced there, go back, train the supervisor.

Or go to another SSA office.

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

Darnell I wanted to update you on following your suggestion of printing out what you told me. I went back this morning and had such an intense time with the clerk with explaining and showing them the form of there own rules and they continued telling me that she HAS to be married before they will accept the application as if something had happened by now and the time the I-94 expires (us not getting married etc.) then it void the social security card. SO after quite a bit of arguing and her giving all of our documents back to us.... I asked to talk to her supervisor and he then brought us back into a private room since I was apparently beginning to make a scene..... he said that the document RM 10211.530 is true, however they recently changed the law 90 days ago and it has not yet reflected on the SSA website. He then stated that he was going to just put us in the system and let DHS make the decision whether or not she is issued one or not. The lady then told me she could that she was in the SAVE system, but her first and middle name (since she has two first names and a middle name) were all put together as all her first name so it could not be verified through the system, however she made a photocopy of all of our documents, passport and such and said that the application was submitted and all of our documents would be sent over for DHS to verify and will take up to 4 weeks to hear back something as they need to verify it. Now that being said, yes finally we got them to send the application but it is now pending verification because of the name. This was not our fault the clerk said and they said sometimes they go through and sometimes they don't and that DHS tends to scrunch the names together if you have more than one first name etc. So now all we do is wait apparently to find out DHS decision. What do you think about all of this Darnell?

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

-Another Update- I also just called my local CBP Office with the link you had in your original post and the officer told me they have nothing to do with the SAVE system and how it is inputed and that the I-94 is all they deal with and if all the information is correct on there, then it should be fine and that I would have to call USCIS as the SAVE system is not there's. He also asked me if I was married yet, and if I wasn't that she is not eligible for a SSN yet. Why all of these conflicting stories? :/ If she is denied a social security card this time since it's already submitted, does that mean she won't be eligible to apply again after we are married? This entire process is crazy as there is nothing but conflicting answers

[Darnell 8,478]

you got a stoner on the phone, or one improperly trained. NO WHERE in my instructions do I suggest using a telephone with CBP - it is actually a bad thing to attempt (as you just learned).

You were given wrong information over the telephone, and it is blatantly wrong.

[Darnell 8,478]

Darnell I wanted to update you on following your suggestion of printing out what you told me. I went back this morning and had such an intense time with the clerk with explaining and showing them the form of there own rules and they continued telling me that she HAS to be married before they will accept the application as if something had happened by now and the time the I-94 expires (us not getting married etc.) then it void the social security card. SO after quite a bit of arguing and her giving all of our documents back to us.... I asked to talk to her supervisor and he then brought us back into a private room since I was apparently beginning to make a scene..... he said that the document RM 10211.530 is true, however they recently changed the law 90 days ago and it has not yet reflected on the SSA website. He then stated that he was going to just put us in the system and let DHS make the decision whether or not she is issued one or not. The lady then told me she could that she was in the SAVE system, but her first and middle name (since she has two first names and a middle name) were all put together as all her first name so it could not be verified through the system, however she made a photocopy of all of our documents, passport and such and said that the application was submitted and all of our documents would be sent over for DHS to verify and will take up to 4 weeks to hear back something as they need to verify it. Now that being said, yes finally we got them to send the application but it is now pending verification because of the name. This was not our fault the clerk said and they said sometimes they go through and sometimes they don't and that DHS tends to scrunch the names together if you have more than one first name etc. So now all we do is wait apparently to find out DHS decision. What do you think about all of this Darnell?

Mostly it's a round of BS from 2 SSA employees - but good on ya for going in and trying to get it sorted.

K-1 visa holders are allowed a SSN, there's no law on the books preventing it.

Your fiance has a problem with the name stored in SAVE database - the supervisor looked her up via A# and found the discrepancy. Now must go to CBP to get it fixed, wait a week, then back to SSA to apply again. If you read the stuff in my topic - you were to withdraw the SSA application and beat feet to a CBP office quickly.

DHS verification is the 'kiss of death' - designed to waste time - precious time that you two not have, as she loses the right to apply on day 77 past POE date. Must wait until much later to apply again - either EAD or Green Card in hand.

So, for now - I suggest 2 things:

1. go into CBP office (drive, use a car) and fix the name then

2. get into a different SSA office and apply for SSN

3. there's a hotline # to call for SSA, can report errors done at a local office - suggest you call in and report this stuff - you got names at that SSA office, right?

[NikLR 13,220]

I actually got my SAVE fixed at the dept of revenue in Colorado (the DMV is part of the Department of Revenue.)

[Darnell 8,478]

ya, but CBP offices can fix SAVE db records - must to go in person.

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

I called CBP again and spoke to the Duty Officer and he told me that they only deal with errors pertaining to the I-94 now since it is electronic (he also checked with his supervisor and said the same thing). He gave me a number to technical support at SAVE http://www.uscis.gov/save/contact-saveand the woman on the phone was very familiar with what I told her happened as incorrect name entry calls she gets all the time, she took all of the information and said she would submit it to the policy department and I should hear back from them shortly and gave me a reference number. So I'm really hoping that this will correct the name issue as she took all of what I said down before submitting it. I would imagine if it is changed before the SSN application arrives or at least they will know about it there should be no further issues, or we can only hope :/

Edited December 24, 2014 by Lenny&Sanna

[Darnell 8,478]

ok - that's genuinely new - thanks for sharing that info !

I hate POE because of data entry errors with the back-room data entry staff - there is no oversight there.

[Pitaya 2,576]

ok - that's genuinely new - thanks for sharing that info !

I hate POE because of data entry errors with the back-room data entry staff - there is no oversight there.

Agree!! The CBP back-room slugs were the flies in our ointment at my family's POE.