SSN woes

[Ronn63 41]

Ok!! My wife has been here since early July on a K1. We got married on August 17th. I didn't take her to the SSA office until today. I figured we could just apply for her SSN after we got married, and save a trip to change her name. They told me that she couldn't apply for an SSN until changing her name with USCIS. Does that mean AOS? Here's the thing: I can't afford to apply for AOS right now. I'm trying to save some pennies up but it's hard as I'm sure everyone knows.

Does anyone have a similar experience? I'm not sure if the woman at the SSA office has it right. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Not true. Many immigrants get their SSN before marriage, then get a new one after marriage because of the name change. SSN has nothing to do with AOS. You can get married, have a SSN, and not AOS for a long while (indefinitely, in fact).

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

**** Moving from Philippines regional forum to SSN forum as not country specific ******

[Hank_ 9,173]

Ok!! My wife has been here since early July on a K1. We got married on August 17th. I didn't take her to the SSA office until today. I figured we could just apply for her SSN after we got married, and save a trip to change her name. They told me that she couldn't apply for an SSN until changing her name with USCIS. Does that mean AOS? Here's the thing: I can't afford to apply for AOS right now. I'm trying to save some pennies up but it's hard as I'm sure everyone knows.

Does anyone have a similar experience? I'm not sure if the woman at the SSA office has it right. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

The woman you talked to at SSA is lying out her a$$.

My wife when down after getting married, brought a certified copy of the marriage certificate, her passport with I-94 and a birth certificate. Two weeks later her card arrived, in her married name. I would be making noise and asking for a supervisor.

Both these links show that ONLY the I-94 is needed to apply. (other forms are acceptable but not all are required, just one of them)

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/2283/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzc3NTMwNzE2L3NpZC84UzNvUUt5bA%3D%3D

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/2283/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzc3NTMwNzE2L3NpZC84UzNvUUt5bA%3D%3D

[Ronn63 41]

Thanks all...it's what I thought. Was she correct in that we have to change her name with USCIS before applying for AOS? Just want to get my facts straight before I have to make that drive again.

[Jack&Maria 5]

i have the same problem..the SSN guy we talked told us that we have to apply for AOS cause the USCIS doesnt know if we are married or not..they cant change my single family name to married name cause first:

1.I-94 was already expired

2. It was not in the USCIS system that I am allowed to change name..

he still give a receipt and told me he will still sent the documents in the SS main office but its been 2months but no new ss card yet.

[Darnell 8,478]

Best to apply in VISA name -

I've written a HOWTO for this - please read?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

My wife and I applied for her social security card BEFORE we got married. Then after we got married and got the card then we went down and changed it. Not hard at all.

[Wariza 8]

Best to apply in VISA name -

I've written a HOWTO for this - please read?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

I agree. If you need the SSN right away for work or anything else, go ahead and have her apply with maiden name. We had the same thing happen to us. The person just does a search in the system and the new last name does not appear. We had to wait for EAD card before going back.

[Tony23 11]

Can i ask how long do I have to apply for AOS after my fiancé arrives here in the us ?

[Darnell 8,478]

almost 2 years. after 2 years, must to file an I-130 with the I-485.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Make sure you have at least 14 days of validity left on her I-94; without that they will not issue her a social security number. And yes, the person you spoke with initially was mistaken; you should ask to speak to a supervisor if they persist in their nonsense.

[notusinganymore 31]

Thanks all...it's what I thought. Was she correct in that we have to change her name with USCIS before applying for AOS? Just want to get my facts straight before I have to make that drive again.

You don't need AOS or name change to apply for SSN. I got married then applied SSN with my married name and got the card in 1 week. You should ask a supervisor to talk to and talk about the matter of the AOS not being needed for SSN application. Most clerks don't know what they are talking about. Just bring your printed I-94, marriage certificate, and passport. You can bring other proof but those 3 are a must and you can get the SS-5 at the office too.

If you cant afford the AOS yet then get an EAD and I believe most clerks would recognize an EAD as a "requirement" or "proof" for eligibility to apply SSN so you can use that. It will cost you more since it is like around $380 when applied alone compared to the price being waived if you apply it together with your AOS but at least she can probably work after 3 months and help save for AOS.

Edited August 27, 2013 by emmandenn

[Darnell 8,478]

alas, if one not apply in visa name, then the application goes out to DHS for 'DHS Verification' and since they haven't filed anything yet, there won't be any positive hit with DHS. Usually, DHS verification takes 6 weeks, as well. You got extremely lucky.

It really is best to apply in VISA name.

chasing after an EAD is troublesome without filing for AOS, as the validity of an EAD card is solely based on I-94 (when not filed with AOS) and usually the EAD arrives 90 days after applying,

which,

for the OP, will be troublesome, as :

1. it expires before it arrives and

2. OP is outside of the 'apply window' for any SSN.

Sorry.

Edited August 27, 2013 by Darnell

[A&P_Germany 8]

It really is best to apply in VISA name.

Darnell, is it ok to apply in VISA name (maiden) after marriage? Then change name after card arrives? Yes, it's an extra trip to the SOS office but maybe less of a headache to do it.