Totally Confused by Social Security??

[raven52 233]

Wife came to US from Phils.,, K-1 visa. P.O.E Atlanta April 24th. Married June 22. Went to SS office with all documents on June 28th. I-94 was not within 14 days of expiring, so we were allowed to file for her SS number. The person asked for many documents, and we had everything she asked for. At the conclusion of the process, she stood up, and said, "I will get this over to "Homeland Security" you should hear from them in a week or two." She just walked away, and I was totally shocked as she also, said "you should receive an I-551 or similar document from them, bring it back here and we will issue the SS card!"

We were not satisfied as after posting on this site we were advised to go back, and we did. We got a different person, who said the information entered under my new wife's name did not match what she entered the country on, as she has my last name now, it was her opinion, that was the reason, but assured us all should be fine, and she asked if we had been given a receipt, which we were not the first time we went there. She gave us a receipt showing the application been filed on an acceptable date, and just said you might hear from them in as little as a week, so two people in that office told us the same thing, but I am very skeptical, as all of the other people who entered on a K-1 visa had there cards in a few days, and nothing about Homeland Security, BUT.,.,., they all got their SS cards before they were married.

Your thoughts and advise is appreciated!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Nope.. not all.

We waited until after we were married for my wife to get her SSN. Absolutely zero issues, brought her birth certificate, passport, marriage certifcate and the SS-5. Card arrived within two weeks.

[raven52 233]

Thanks Hank, you have helped us many times! The last lady we talked to said we may have the card or form to get the card within a week, and we have the receipt now, to show hen we filed. Thanks again, Hank, at this point would you just wait it out? Or what? Hank, during the AOS procedure, did you take your fiancé to a civil surgeon, or just send in her (I think it is a 3022 record)??

[six7one 17]

Wife had no issue when she applied for her SSN. Went in with her Passport, Visa, I-94, Marriage Certificate, and Birth Certificate. Card received in the mail in about 10 days.

Regarding the AOS...

You send in the required I-693 form. The trick is trying to find a Civil Surgeon who will transcribe the Immunizations onto the 693 form. For us this was impossible! All the Civil Surgeons in our area said a Medical Exam was required and did not have knowledge of just the immunization section. Even after showing them the I-693 instructions indicating new medicals are not required! My wife and step-daughter had to do medical exams all over again which of course costs so much more than a simple transcription. Just a heads up for you.

Edited July 10, 2013 by six7one

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thanks Hank, you have helped us many times! The last lady we talked to said we may have the card or form to get the card within a week, and we have the receipt now, to show hen we filed. Thanks again, Hank, at this point would you just wait it out? Or what? Hank, during the AOS procedure, did you take your fiancé to a civil surgeon, or just send in her (I think it is a 3022 record)??

Being you have the receipt from SSA I would be patient for a couple weeks.

Yes took my wife to a civil surgeon, they transcribed the information to the I-693, sealed it in an envelope, gave us a copy of the I-693 and the sealed envelope, didn't try to "sell" a physical... $40 later we were gone. I had read mixed comments about some getting an RFE over that so I figured I would just do it.

3025 is the form.

[raven52 233]

Did anyone not send in an I-693, but only the immunization record, as my (now) wife had her physical at St. Luke's in March/ I have had one friend that DID NOT send in the I-693 only the shot record, and one who got an rfe to go to a civil surgeon,....., this process is ""SO"" consistent .,.,.,, never know what to expect!

[raven52 233]

AS ALWAYS, very sound advise, Hank! Thanks, again! A happily married couple, now just jumping through the "hoops!"

[Hank_ 9,174]

Did anyone not send in an I-693, but only the immunization record, as my (now) wife had her physical at St. Luke's in March/ I have had one friend that DID NOT send in the I-693 only the shot record, and one who got an rfe to go to a civil surgeon,....., this process is ""SO"" consistent .,.,.,, never know what to expect!

Well your wife doesn't need to do a physical, but some civil surgeons "blackmail" you to get the I-693 transcribed. If you do the I-693 you may have to call a few different civil surgeons to find one that only does what is required.

[Babydolljen 0]

Hi, I just submitted a photocopy of form 3025 the vaccination sheet given by Saint Luke's. It was said as long as you filed your AOS within a year of medical exam no need for the I- 693. And I rely to that. I do not have any problem at all. I cannot explain why others receive RFE for that. Or maybe it depends also what they see on the record. I have my medical last January 2013 then we filed AOS last May this year.

[Babydolljen 0]

As of SSN, we went there after married. They asked me valid ID's, passport, birth certificate and SS5 form then original copy of marriage certificate. They issue me the card and received within two weeks with my married name.