SSN Number or Marriage First?

[Shauna Eckstadt 0]

Hello Everyone!

Tonight my fiance, Juan, enters the USA on his approved fiance visa. Will we be able to obtain his SSN tomorrow and be able to marry on Sunday?

I am waiting on a call back from the Social Security office but wanted to see what your thoughts were. I just want to move all of the processes along so he can start to work ASAP.

If anyone has similar stories that worked for them, please share! I just need some insight or else I am shooting in the dark. As all of us are trying to do, I just want to shorten the process.

Thanks for your help!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Some have been able to get the SSN right away after entry, some have had to wait until their information showed up in the system. You can try it that soon. Keep in mind that you can apply for the SSN up until you have 2 weeks left on your I-94, and it does not have to be done before marriage or filing for AOS.

~ Moved from K-1 Process to Social Security Numbers- topic about applying for SSN ~

[Kumi and Drake 14]

You can try to get the SSN in her maiden name before getting married provided it has been at least two weeks after POE so that her I-94 is available then just have it changed after marriage. My experience in Missouri has been good though, because we were able to get my SSN in my married name after marriage without any problems.

[Allen and Karin 0]

We got my social insurance card with my old name, got married and went back to get my new name changed. They said I need to change my name first at immigration. We don't understand or know where to go, we get passed around. Where do we change my last name so we can move on to getting the new ssn the green card and ead? Thank you.

[ryna 132]

We got my social insurance card with my old name, got married and went back to get my new name changed. They said I need to change my name first at immigration. We don't understand or know where to go, we get passed around. Where do we change my last name so we can move on to getting the new ssn the green card and ead? Thank you.

File your AOS/EAD/AP paperwork using the name you want to use, i.e. your new, married name. When the first of those arrive (probably the EAD/AP), you will then be able to go to the SS Administration and change the name on your Social Security card. The thing is, the SSA can only issue your card in the name that USCIS has for you which is your maiden name until they change it via the AOS process.

It feels like the run around at times. I remember it well. At least they got your maiden name right and you have your SS#. My poor wife could get anything for nearly 2 months because ICE entered her name into the I-94 database incorrectly and it didn't match her visa or her passport

Edited October 4, 2013 by ryna

[Allen and Karin 0]

Ok, thank you. So it doesn't matter that my ssn is under my old name when I apply for the green card, ead, and ap under my new name?

[ryna 132]

Ok, thank you. So it doesn't matter that my ssn is under my old name when I apply for the green card, ead, and ap under my new name?

No, you'll see when you fill out the forms that you'll enter the name you want to use - your married name - and you'll also have to put your maiden name under other names used (or something similar). Usually for a USC, the marriage certificate is the only thing needed to make a legal name change, but in the immigrant's case, only USCIS can do that legally, so the Social Security card change will have to wait. If I recall correctly, my wife didn't even need our marriage certificate to change her SS card after she had her EAD because it already showed her married, and now legal, name. But, I'd check on that when the time comes if I were you...

Good luck! It feels crazy sometimes but you'll get through it!