Fiance arrived on K-1 - is it necessary to get SSN?

[Stepy67 3]

My fiance was approved in December and arrived in the US 2 weeks ago. We are looking at getting him an SSN number, but is that necessary for the AOS or is it just something handy to have? It seems that you don't need one for the marriage license or to get health insurance....so is it solely for AOS later?

[VOL 425]

It just makes life easier to get it asap.

It might be needed for professional license, driver license, opening accounts, doing background checks, etc.

[usmsbow 795]

Necessary? No. But as VOL said, it is useful for many things and he'll have to get it when he finds employment.

Out of all the paperwork and steps to take in this whole process, getting a SSN is one of the easiest things to do and thankfully is free.

[TBoneTX 43,057]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the "Moving to the US & Your New Life" forum -- OP is past the K-1 phase. ***

[Udella&Wiz 325]

100% agree - not necessary for AOS, but necessary to daily life in the USA . Needed for all the items mentioned below...also usually needed to purchase health insurance or to be included on yours once you marry.

It just makes life easier to get it asap.

It might be needed for professional license, driver license, opening accounts, doing background checks, etc.

[Stepy67 3]

Ok thanks! We were just wondering because we have SO much to do before the wedding (less than 2 weeks) so we were trying to figure out what HAS to be done now and what can wait.

Thanks for all your responses!

[CowBoE 429]

I would say it is very important to get the SSN ASAP.

There are so many (important) places that will ask for the SS card:

1. Bank

2. Driver's license

3. (Some) health insurance

4. Employment

5. Tax filing

6. School

7. Credit cards

8. Mortgage / rental

9. Car loans

10. If I recall, I think even my car insurance wanted it...perhaps to check on their insurance score?

11. etc.

[Abena & Kofi 1]

Dont delay on applying for the ss card, as that was one of the first things we took care of . We needed it for almost everything .

[NikLR 13,220]

You can get the SSN the day you arrive in the USA. As long as you get it more than 2 weeks before the I-94 expires you should be fine.

For women, apply in Visa name, even if you're already married. It's easier and you can change it later.

[zuluweta 250]

Some apartments require an SSN along with a background check.

[clairegie 265]

All I know is that I felt I couldn't do much until I got my SSN when I moved here. It is very handy to have and its best to get it asap. Basically, I felt I was invisible until I got mine lol.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

As the female in the equation (not sure whether your non USC is male/female), I personally waited until after the wedding because I wanted it to be in my married name. I arrived, married 2 weeks later and THEN applied for the SSN - so no, it could wait til after the wedding

Ok thanks! We were just wondering because we have SO much to do before the wedding (less than 2 weeks) so we were trying to figure out what HAS to be done now and what can wait.

Thanks for all your responses!

[Stepy67 3]

The non USC is male. We will go ahead and apply for it next week then I think. Thanks everyone for your input! It is very much appreciated!

[Holly2234 66]

It was the first thing i did. As soon as i could get somebody to take me to the SS office i was there getting it.

Its very important to not only think of convenience when doing these things, but also happiness. There is so much to do that is practical in regards to the wedding, GC etc that its easy to forget the small things which make life good such as having a job, driving, freedom in general to live like everybody else so try to get everything sorted ASAP so that he can do everything that the rest of us can who already have things sorted out.

[Pitaya 2,576]

Please review the K1 Flowchart, sounds iike you are at step 15-16: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Good luck on your immigration journey.