SSN After Marriage K1

[signalsfly 6]

Hi,

I came over to the US with a K1 on August 1st, my husband and I got married on August 16th. I went in to my local SSN office today to try and get my SSN and was told that as we had got married my status was now K3 and I couldn't get a SSN until I get my green card. We tried calling and they just said I was now a K3 and couldn't get anything without work authorisation or a green card. I was under the impression that as long as my I94 hadn't expired (which doesn't until October 29th) then I should be able to get a SSN.

Honestly I'm completely confused right now. Why would I now be a K3? My status shouldn't have changed and we've not even begun the AOS process yet as we were going to try sort out bank account etc. beforehand. Were they just wrong in the information they gave me or have I misunderstood something?

Anyone that could help me would be awesome, I'm feeling disheartened and worried I've done something wrong.

Thank you!

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

How does my fiancé(e) obtain a Green Card?

• If your fiancé(e) entered on a K-1 Visa, the marriage must take place within ninety days of your fiancé(e)’s arrival in the U.S.

Once married, your spouse will be eligible to apply for Lawful Permanent Residence. File an I-485 (adjustment of status) application with Immigration. The adjudication of ‘marriage adjustment’ cases can vary from several months to several years depending on various factors.

Both you and your spouse will be required to attend an interview with Immigration. At the time of interview, you will need to show proof that the marriage is bona-fide (legitimate). Immigration will review documents, such as address displayed on driver’s licenses, joint bank accounts, tax returns and utility bills.

If you have been married less than two years at the time of interview and the application is approved the immigrant spouse will be issued a temporary/conditional two year green card. After two years, the immigrant is required to file an I-751 to lift the conditional status on the green card and must continue to prove the bona fides of the marriage.

If you are married more than two years at the time of interview a permanent green card is issued.

[chaoticlogic 27]

How does my fiancé(e) obtain a Green Card?

• If your fiancé(e) entered on a K-1 Visa, the marriage must take place within ninety days of your fiancé(e)’s arrival in the U.S.
• Once married, your spouse will be eligible to apply for Lawful Permanent Residence. File an I-485 (adjustment of status) application with Immigration. The adjudication of ‘marriage adjustment’ cases can vary from several months to several years depending on various factors.
• Both you and your spouse will be required to attend an interview with Immigration. At the time of interview, you will need to show proof that the marriage is bona-fide (legitimate). Immigration will review documents, such as address displayed on driver’s licenses, joint bank accounts, tax returns and utility bills.
• If you have been married less than two years at the time of interview and the application is approved the immigrant spouse will be issued a temporary/conditional two year green card. After two years, the immigrant is required to file an I-751 to lift the conditional status on the green card and must continue to prove the bona fides of the marriage.
• If you are married more than two years at the time of interview a permanent green card is issued.

Unless I read wrong, this has nothing to do with the OP's question. The question is about obtaining a SSN.

OP, as far as I know, there are two scenarios for getting your SSN after entry on K1

1. Apply for one before you are married

2. Apply for one after you obtain your EAD (work authorization)

I have not heard of anyone getting a SSN after marriage but before getting EAD.

[Shai and Caz 8]

Unless I read wrong, this has nothing to do with the OP's question. The question is about obtaining a SSN.

OP, as far as I know, there are two scenarios for getting your SSN after entry on K1

1. Apply for one before you are married

2. Apply for one after you obtain your EAD (work authorization)

I have not heard of anyone getting a SSN after marriage but before getting EAD.

i have a question.. whats the use of getting a SSN if u cant even apply for work..?some poeple wait til they get married..just so confused bcuz i thought that if my fiance would apply for SSN he is good to apply for work .

Unless I read wrong, this has nothing to do with the OP's question. The question is about obtaining a SSN.

OP, as far as I know, there are two scenarios for getting your SSN after entry on K1

1. Apply for one before you are married

2. Apply for one after you obtain your EAD (work authorization)

I have not heard of anyone getting a SSN after marriage but before getting EAD.

i have a question.. whats the use of getting a SSN if u cant even apply for work..?some poeple wait til they get married..just so confused bcuz i thought that if my fiance would apply for SSN he is good to apply for work .

[Limey 551]

i have a question.. whats the use of getting a SSN if u cant even apply for work.

Lots of things ask for it, you might be asked to provide one for

- drivers license

- opening a bank account

- getting mobile phone contract

etc

[Zedayn 485]

Hi,

I came over to the US with a K1 on August 1st, my husband and I got married on August 16th. I went in to my local SSN office today to try and get my SSN and was told that as we had got married my status was now K3 and I couldn't get a SSN until I get my green card. We tried calling and they just said I was now a K3 and couldn't get anything without work authorisation or a green card. I was under the impression that as long as my I94 hadn't expired (which doesn't until October 29th) then I should be able to get a SSN.

Honestly I'm completely confused right now. Why would I now be a K3? My status shouldn't have changed and we've not even begun the AOS process yet as we were going to try sort out bank account etc. beforehand. Were they just wrong in the information they gave me or have I misunderstood something?

Anyone that could help me would be awesome, I'm feeling disheartened and worried I've done something wrong.

Thank you!

You are NOT a K-3, you are a K-1. You are correct, your status has not changed.

What you need to do is go back to the SSA and apply in your VISA name. If they give you the run around and say you are a K-3 again, then just ask them to search for your VISA name in their computer. Your name will show up as eligible to receive an SSN. If they refuse to look you up, ask for a supervisor or go to a different SSA office.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Ugh, yet another idiot SSA worker. They know NOTHING about immigration and should stop trying to advise on anything immigration related. They need to focus on learning their own SS jobs.

As a K-1 entrant, you are legal alien allowed to work and therefore eligible for an SSN right after entry. You can use the I-94 up until it has 2 weeks left before it expires. To avoid hassles and delays, it is suggested to apply for the SSN in your maiden name so it matches the name on your I-94, passport and visa. You can apply in your maiden name even if you already married. Then apply for AOS in your married name, and go back and change the name on the SSN when you receive the EAD in your married name.

You can NEVER change into a K-3 from a K-1. Getting married does NOT make you ineligible to receive an SSN using your I-94 as a K-1 entrant. You can print out the SSA's own info about a K-1 being a legal alien allowed to work, found in the guide > http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

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

[coa24 69]

Unless I read wrong, this has nothing to do with the OP's question. The question is about obtaining a SSN.

OP, as far as I know, there are two scenarios for getting your SSN after entry on K1

1. Apply for one before you are married

2. Apply for one after you obtain your EAD (work authorization)

I have not heard of anyone getting a SSN after marriage but before getting EAD.

My wife got her SSN after we were married on August 16, but before we sent for our AOS package. The I-94 had not expired. She has her SSN in her married name. I have heard others being able to do the same. It has helped a lot as I added her to my health insurance and bank accounts already.

To the OP that worker doesn't know what they are talking about. Also congrats on your marriage on August 16 . Good day

[jfgk1987 303]

More often than not you'll find that SSA employees have no idea what they're talking about when it comes to SSNs and K1s, especially if they hardly deal with them. It's a lot easier for the SSA clerk make some excuse up and turn someone away when they don't know the rules or simply don't want to learn how to do their job, and people (particularly those that haven't done their research) assume the SSA clerk must know what they're talking about so they just go with it.

You can still apply for a SSN after you're married and before your EAD arrives as long as the expiration date on the I-94 is more than 2 weeks away from the date you apply. You are most certainly NOT a K3, you are a K1 even after marriage.

Edited September 8, 2015 by jfgk1987

[nadjamacc 11]

Hi all,

 

so I don't know if anyone would read this since the topic is from 2015, but I thought I try before I open a new topic. I'm trying to understand if it would make a difference (for obtaining a driver's license or opening a bank account with my future husband) if I apply for my SSN after marriage in my maiden name - if they say that I couldn't apply in my married name because it has to match the name on the visa or whatever. I'll be in New York City, although that shouldn't be different to other states. My problem is that I was planning on getting to the US only 7 business days before marriage because of the end of my employment contract and vacation days.

 

Thanks in advance (if anyone reads this :))!

[Alabamak1 688]

3 hours ago, Nadja Breuer said:

Hi all,

 

so I don't know if anyone would read this since the topic is from 2015, but I thought I try before I open a new topic. I'm trying to understand if it would make a difference (for obtaining a driver's license or opening a bank account with my future husband) if I apply for my SSN after marriage in my maiden name - if they say that I couldn't apply in my married name because it has to match the name on the visa or whatever. I'll be in New York City, although that shouldn't be different to other states. My problem is that I was planning on getting to the US only 7 business days before marriage because of the end of my employment contract and vacation days.

 

Thanks in advance (if anyone reads this :))!

The beneficiary wants to apply for a SS# before they get married. In NY State as I have read, you need EAD to get DL. When you open a bank account it is best to open one with your SS# and maiden name and later change it when you get married. It is easier like that. My wife, the beneficiary did it like that, she never changed her last name.

[nadjamacc 11]

Thanks so much! Yes, I heard that with the DL too. However, I read that there’s a system with points that shows when I or any other immigrant can get at least a state ID. I will look into it further.

Thanks, then I’ll try to get my SSN before marriage (from what I was planning I would arrive only 7 business days before our wedding... I’ll try to arrive earlier) and open a bank account and change my name afterwards.

[MLR14 37]

On 10/1/2018 at 9:39 AM, Nadja Breuer said:

Hi all,

 

so I don't know if anyone would read this since the topic is from 2015, but I thought I try before I open a new topic. I'm trying to understand if it would make a difference (for obtaining a driver's license or opening a bank account with my future husband) if I apply for my SSN after marriage in my maiden name - if they say that I couldn't apply in my married name because it has to match the name on the visa or whatever. I'll be in New York City, although that shouldn't be different to other states. My problem is that I was planning on getting to the US only 7 business days before marriage because of the end of my employment contract and vacation days.

 

Thanks in advance (if anyone reads this :))!

I arrived in the states on the 12th, applied for my SSN (in my maiden name) on the 20th (6 business days later), got married on the 24th and received my SSN on the 1st. Honestly I received it way sooner than expected! But you definitely have enough time! Now I will return to the office to get the name changed on the card!

[nadjamacc 11]

On 10/2/2018 at 11:16 PM, MLR14 said:

I arrived in the states on the 12th, applied for my SSN (in my maiden name) on the 20th (6 business days later), got married on the 24th and received my SSN on the 1st. Honestly I received it way sooner than expected! But you definitely have enough time! Now I will return to the office to get the name changed on the card!

Thank you so much for your response! Good to know. It helps a lot.

[Ontarkie 14,280]

~~Zombie thread locked to further replies.~~