SSA told my wife to change last name with "immigration" first after getting married

[MotorenWerkeN52 0]

Hello,

So we are on step 19 of the K1 fiance visa process shows in the below link.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

We received our certified marriage certificate in the mail yesterday and first thing I did was fill out the SSA form to change my wife's last name on the social security card.

I got to the SSA office this morning with all of the required documents and the guy at the window told me "I need to change her name with immigration first". I had a blank look on my face because this was the first time I had heard this and I wasn't sure about what he meant by "immigration".

I did ask him if he meant USCIS and he said "yes" but I didn't feel confident in his answer. After leaving I called USCIS and they didn't seem to have a clue what I was talking about. They advised me to make an info pass appointment which I have not done yet.

I need advice from you guys on how you guys changed the name with SSA once getting married. Did anyone have to change their name with "immigration" prior to changing with SSA?

Thanks

[Darnell 8,478]

is a k-1 visa? visa-holder is female? is day 74 or prior from POE date?

then apply in VISA name,

as

the SSA clerks HAVE to look her up in the SAVE database.

She has no federal ID in her 'married name', so she cannot get issued a SSN in her married name.

can change the name at SSA after EAD card or green card arrives showing the new married name, but for now,

apply in PASSPORT name.

[milimelo 4,166]

Follow Darnell's advice. You can go back to SSA once you have EAD or GC to change it to married name.

[emcia_81 43]

A friend of mine had a smilar situation but eventually she was able to change it to her married name. I didn't expereince any problems while changing my name. I think you should go back and talk to another person and tell tham that they are wrong. I pressume that you completed step 16 which is obtaining ssn after her arrival. Good luck!!!

[Cody and Daisy 373]

This is an ongoing issue for all k1s, some people manage to change their names. Somehow...

But those like you and I and the majority get told the same thing.

We have to change our name with uscis before SS.

It's a load of bull...

But I also suggest waiting till EAD or green card, it'll save you a lot of hassle.

Most offices are not informed well that we can change our name even though it's not on the database.

But they (roughly 90% of the time) just won't do it because they follow little rules and regulations and follow what they are taught.

Don't waste your time going back when you may just be told the same.

Wait for EAD.

[Darnell 8,478]

i have it broken down for K-1s over at http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

please have a read, when able...

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

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

[MotorenWerkeN52 0]

i have it broken down for K-1s over at http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

please have a read, when able...

Thank you for the helpful information. I guess we will wait to change the name on the SSC until AOS is completed.

My wife got her first SS card within 2 weeks of being here. We went to the SSA office 4 days after she arrived and they had her in the system. I think since switching to the electric I-94 the process is a bit faster.

[Darnell 8,478]

Sorry, I totally misread that she already received a SSN card in her visa name.

to get it changed over , to a married name,

she will need to have either (pick one)

1. EAD card or

2. green card

issued in the new married name.

bring 1 or 2 into SSA office, they will change it for her.