Applying for SSN before Marriage and AOS for K1

[Lalu 62]

9 hours ago, Zjazzy said:

OMG we did ask many times at the clinic in Algeria. They kept saying that they never have seen the DS-3025 form before.  I guess is just luck when they give it.  

 

Thank you!

Vsame in Russia(( we paid for med.examination and all they give just a vaccination form((

[Butziee 25]

Does my wife have to apply for another SSN or can she just keep the one she currently has? She receive one when she was on her J1 visa internship last year. thank you

[Woodrow 34]

14 hours ago, Jon&Margz said:

1) Open a bank account

2) Apply for Utility Services (or be added to an account)

3) Drivers License Application

4) File a tax return

5) One vital form of identification

 

All situations needing a social security #.   Again - my advice - get your SS# as soon as you can.  

I realize all situations are different but didn’t need a SSN to be added to my utility accounts, open a bank account or get a drivers license. We also didn’t need it to be added to my health insurance or the lease at my apartment. Just applied for it on the EAD when filed for adjustment of status. I really don’t understand the urgency to run and apply for one. 

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

17 hours ago, AnaidAaron said:

May I ask what could I use as my 2nd identity document? 

I found this link but it's not quite clear to me https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

I imagine my birth certificate or driver's lincese from my country could work, but do I have to get certified translations? 

Thank you!

Your passport with your visa in it, and/or your birth certificate/valid ID from your country of origin should work. My husband had his passport with his visa in it, and his Swedish birth record. Not sure if she ended up needing all of it, but he handed it all to her with his application and she didn't ask for anything else.

 

13 hours ago, alik said:

So... when you complete your SS-5 form to you check "Legal Alien Not Allowed to Work" option then?

Allowed to Work. The K1 visa gives the applicant ability to obtain an EAD/work permit.

 

8 hours ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

We got my husband's SSN number after marriage, but right before we applied for AOS (the following week after the wedding). We are still in AOS now, but having a SSN has been helpful. My husband got health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, joined my bank account, enrolled in community college with in-state tuition, and got a credit card which will report him to the credit bureaus to establish credit so we can buy a house together. He needed a SSN for these things so I am glad we did it.

THIS. These are all the reasons we went ahead and got the SSN so early, even before submitting AOS papers. Joint bank account/credit card/bills make great proof of address and help support evidence of the marriage when the time comes. And also, having them on things like credit cards and bills with their SSN helps establish and accrue US credit.

 

 

 

FYI to anyone who may need to know - most places will let you add an authorized user to your credit card, even with an SSN. Authorized users are not legally responsible for the account and only have usage privileges, but the account is still reported to the credit bureaus for both the account owner and AU. However, without an SSN on file for the AU, it will not be able to report to the bureaus for them. We were able to add my husband as an AU immediately, so he'd have access to it in case of emergency; however, I had to call back and provide his SSN after he got it so it would report for him.

[geowrian 22,335]

2 hours ago, Butziee said:

Does my wife have to apply for another SSN or can she just keep the one she currently has? She receive one when she was on her J1 visa internship last year. thank you

An SSN is assigned for life, so no need to apply for a new one. She can update the card if the information (name) changes, or when she becomes a green card holder (to get an unrestricted card).

[Sarah&Facundo 576]

2 hours ago, Paul & Mallory said:

Your passport with your visa in it, and/or your birth certificate/valid ID from your country of origin should work. My husband had his passport with his visa in it, and his Swedish birth record. Not sure if she ended up needing all of it, but he handed it all to her with his application and she didn't ask for anything else.

 

Allowed to Work. The K1 visa gives the applicant ability to obtain an EAD/work permit.

 

THIS. These are all the reasons we went ahead and got the SSN so early, even before submitting AOS papers. Joint bank account/credit card/bills make great proof of address and help support evidence of the marriage when the time comes. And also, having them on things like credit cards and bills with their SSN helps establish and accrue US credit.

 

 

 

FYI to anyone who may need to know - most places will let you add an authorized user to your credit card, even with an SSN. Authorized users are not legally responsible for the account and only have usage privileges, but the account is still reported to the credit bureaus for both the account owner and AU. However, without an SSN on file for the AU, it will not be able to report to the bureaus for them. We were able to add my husband as an AU immediately, so he'd have access to it in case of emergency; however, I had to call back and provide his SSN after he got it so it would report for him.

Correct. My credit card company let me add him as an authorized user. I had to leave him on for one full billing cycle and ONLY with a SSN can he start building credit after one month.

[AnaidAaron 42]

2 hours ago, Paul & Mallory said:

Your passport with your visa in it, and/or your birth certificate/valid ID from your country of origin should work. My husband had his passport with his visa in it, and his Swedish birth record. Not sure if she ended up needing all of it, but he handed it all to her with his application and she didn't ask for anything else.

 

Allowed to Work. The K1 visa gives the applicant ability to obtain an EAD/work permit.

 

THIS. These are all the reasons we went ahead and got the SSN so early, even before submitting AOS papers. Joint bank account/credit card/bills make great proof of address and help support evidence of the marriage when the time comes. And also, having them on things like credit cards and bills with their SSN helps establish and accrue US credit.

 

 

 

FYI to anyone who may need to know - most places will let you add an authorized user to your credit card, even with an SSN. Authorized users are not legally responsible for the account and only have usage privileges, but the account is still reported to the credit bureaus for both the account owner and AU. However, without an SSN on file for the AU, it will not be able to report to the bureaus for them. We were able to add my husband as an AU immediately, so he'd have access to it in case of emergency; however, I had to call back and provide his SSN after he got it so it would report for him.

Whoops, so I guess this means I shouldn't ask my  soon to be husband to add me to his credit card. He's got really bad credit and I want to build mine up. 

[javadown2 308]

20 hours ago, Jon&Margz said:

If you plan on working in the US .. better to apply for SS# as soon as possible.  You won't be able to apply for Work Permit (EAD) without the SS#.  It is taking 4-6 months to obtain a work permit .. so if working is important - do it now.

It's more then just working...it's usually needed for adding wife to joint bank account, credit cards, insurance, lease agreements, State Issued ID card, and the EAD (we didn't even file for one though since my wife doesn't need to work). 

 

I would HIGHLY recommend getting your SSN BEFORE getting married. We got my wifes about 10-14 days after arriving and had no problems (except the long lines at the SS office, that sucks!). 

[lizandvin 51]

Hi all,

 

You need to wait 10 business days from admittance (SS office told me this). I knew someone who waited until they were married to apply for a SSN number (arrived on K1) and they were denied and told to lodge with the 1-485. 

Social Security also wouldn't verify my documents, so I'm currently undergoing "administrative processing" whereby my documents are being checked. I found this interesting considering everything had to have been checked by Social Security to have my visa issued...

[geowrian 22,335]

There is no fixed time to wait upon entry to apply for an SSN (just needs to be at least 14 days of legal status left). Sometimes one's information is not entered correctly at POE or there is a delay in getting their system into the SAVE database.

I-94 lookup: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/

 

If your I-94 shows up using the above link and everything looks right, then you should be good to go for the SSA. Note that this is generalization...no guarantees you won't have to go through manual verification still (middle names, long names, etc. have caused issues), but it works for the vast majority of cases.

 

[Jon&Margz 132]

4 hours ago, Woodrow said:

I realize all situations are different but didn’t need a SSN to be added to my utility accounts, open a bank account or get a drivers license. We also didn’t need it to be added to my health insurance or the lease at my apartment. Just applied for it on the EAD when filed for adjustment of status. I really don’t understand the urgency to run and apply for one. 

In CA .. our electric company requires a ss#.  Our cell phone company, AT&T, required SS# for new service.   Bank of America requested a SS# when opening a new account.  Direct-TV required a social security # for new service.  My wife's employer required her to complete a W-4 and I-9 tax form each requesting her social security #.   COULD we have argued in each scenario and demanded to know what options were available without a ss#?   Sure - but we decided to get a soc sec card and be prepared for life.    I guess we're odd that way.

[Marcelina 246]

11 hours ago, Lalu said:

Vsame in Russia(( we paid for med.examination and all they give just a vaccination form((

Doesn't left down corner contain a name DS-3025?? Same to you @Zjazzy ?

DS-3025 is a vaccination record filled by panel physician, as long as your med exam is not older then a year when you apply for AOS copy of DS-3025 is enough

[Lalu 62]

26 minutes ago, Marcelina said:

Doesn't left down corner contain a name DS-3025?? Same to you @Zjazzy ?

DS-3025 is a vaccination record filled by panel physician, as long as your med exam is not older then a year when you apply for AOS copy of DS-3025 is enough

Oops , tou are right, left corner has it( DS-3025)but it says its only best only 7months

[Marcelina 246]

21 minutes ago, Lalu said:

Oops , tou are right, left corner has it( DS-3025)but it says its only best only 7months

I don't have my copy with me atm but that from form I-693 instructions, part: frequently asked questions:

 

3.What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and already had a medical examination overseas?

If you were admitted as a:

 

A.K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e); or

B.K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen; and

C.You received a medical examination prior to admission, then:

 

(1)You are not required to have another medical examination as long as you file your Form I-485 within one year

of an overseas medical examination; and

(a)The panel physician did not find a class A medical condition during your overseas examination; or

(b)The panel physician did find a class A medical condition, you received a waiver of inadmissibility, and

you have complied with the terms and conditions of the waiver.

 

(2)Even if a new medical examination is not required, you must still show proof that you complied with the

vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS 3025) was not properly completed and included

as part of the original overseas medical examination report, you will have to have the

Part 9.VaccinationRecord completed by a designated civil surgeon. In this case, you must submit Parts 1.,2.,3.,4.,6., and 9.of Form I-693.

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

3 hours ago, AnaidAaron said:

Whoops, so I guess this means I shouldn't ask my  soon to be husband to add me to his credit card. He's got really bad credit and I want to build mine up. 

Hm. I don't think his credit will necessarily affect yours; however, if the credit card/account you are wanting to be added to is contributing to his bad credit (i.e. is delinquent, past due, unpaid, etc.), then yes, it would affect yours. If it's NOT contributing to his existing bad credit (is in good standing, paid on time, etc.), then you should be fine.