Different name spelling on GC and SSN card...

[Jeniafrench 8]

Hi Guys!

 

My first name is spelt differently on my green card and my social security card. The difference is just one letter. It's not a mistake or a typo. I got the social security card a few years ago, since then the government in my country of citizenship (Russia) changed the translation spelling rules, so my name is now spelt differently in my new passport. And the green card name matches the passport.

 

Basically, I don't think it's a big deal, but I'm not sure which name to use for employment/ background checks/ banks etc. I'm actively seeking employment, and don't want my potential employer to think I'm hiding something.. I was just thinking to use the SSN name, but I'm not sure. Anyone had this problem before?

 

Thanks.

Jenia

 

 

[millefleur 5,038]

The Russian name spelling changes are such an annoyance...I really don't understand why they had to 'fix' something that wasn't even broken!

 

It shouldn't be a big deal to get your SSN card updated. I would just request a new one with the correct spelling to avoid any issues. Since your GC and passport match up, it makes sense to sync the SSN card to match those two as well.

Edited June 20, 2017 by millefleur

[Jeniafrench 8]

45 minutes ago, millefleur said:

The Russian name spelling changes are such an annoyance...I really don't understand why they had to 'fix' something that wasn't even broken!

 

It shouldn't be a big deal to get your SSN card updated. I would just request a new one with the correct spelling to avoid any issues. Since your GC and passport match up, it makes sense to sync the SSN card to match those two as well.

Tell me about it...

 

And Thank you!

 

Do you know, who do I contact regarding the SS card update?

[millefleur 5,038]

It's free and you just need to fill out this form and take to your local SSN office:

 

https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3749/How-do-I-change-or-correct-my-name-on-my-Social-Security-number-card

 

It says that you can also do it via mail but I think doing it in person would be faster and more secure, from my viewpoint.

[Jeniafrench 8]

9 hours ago, millefleur said:

It's free and you just need to fill out this form and take to your local SSN office:

 

https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3749/How-do-I-change-or-correct-my-name-on-my-Social-Security-number-card

 

It says that you can also do it via mail but I think doing it in person would be faster and more secure, from my viewpoint.

Thanks! Went to the social security office, spent 50 min(!!!) talking to the guy who had no idea how to handle this. Realized that my green card also has my patronymic - отчество (OMG WHYYYY????), so now my SS card needs to match the green card with the patronymic. The problem is that their SS system doesn't have enough space to put first name + patronymic (ends up being Evgeniia Olegovn instead of Evgeniia Olegovna LOL), so my case now needs to go through USCIS before I can get a new SS card... Bureaucratic mess... Could potentially take weeks.

[millefleur 5,038]

Just now, Jeniafrench said:

Thanks! Went to the social security office, spent 50 min(!!!) talking to the guy who had no idea how to handle this. Realized that my green card also has my patronymic - отчество (OMG WHYYYY????), so now my SS card needs to match the green card with the patronymic. The problem is that their SS system doesn't have enough space to put first name + patronymic (ends up being Evgeniia Olegovn instead of Evgeniia Olegovna LOL), so my case now needs to go through USCIS before I can get a new SS card... Bureaucratic mess... Could potentially take weeks.

Oh no! Sorry to hear...ugh, why does it have to go through USCIS? 

 

I guess they make it harder for immigrants. As a USC I've changed my name twice and it was no big deal to get a new SS card with the new name!  I predict my husband's full name won't fit on the SS card either because they also included his patrynomic name on the visa...really hope we don't run into the same issue once we arrive and apply for the SSN.