Social security name change in limbo

[Frider 7]

My wife (then fiancée) entered the U.S. on 8/5/19. She applied for a social security card on 8/19/19. She applied in her maiden name. The card never came in the mail. In the meantime, we were married on 9/15/19 and applied for AOS. Applications were received by USCIS on 10/18/19. On 11/5 we went to the SSA office to inquire. They said the card was mailed in August, so it was either lost in the mail or sent to the wrong address. I’m not favorably impressed with the mail delivery where I live. After I moved here in 2017 two of my paychecks were also lost in the mail. Anyway, the SSA said they will not process her name change until she has her permanent residence card. My wife’s fiancée visa expired on 11/2/19. SSA says they will not process her name change because they cannot now verify her immigration status. We want to move forward with a joint bank account, mortgage and state picture ID card but none can happen until the name on her social security card matches with her legal name because it would be red flagged as fraud. I was also planning to retire next year but I don’t know what the legal ramifications are regarding her social security number. So it would seem our plans are in limbo for the next months until if and when her permanent residence card is issued. Anyone out there have a similar experience or can offer any advise?

 

My advise to others in a similar situation is get the name change before the fiancée visa expires. I was unaware of the SSA’s verification of immigration status rule for name changes.

[Villanelle 4,122]

You can go update her name once you get the EAD card. 

 

And FYI- when a woman enters on the K she has to get the SS card in her maiden name (the one printed on her visa) even if she married before going to SSA. As they explained they need to do a check with DHS, so the name on the SS card needs to match the name in DHS records. DHS records will not be updated until the EAD is issued (or if no EAD is applied for when they issue the GC).  Is she at least able to get a replacement SS card with her married name? If not you will have to wait for the EAD.

[MarryMe987654 244]

I was able to get my name changed on my SSN right after getting married.

 

Per, SSA's office instruction to me, I just need to bring my actual card and marriage certificate and they can do the name change.

 

I had another mismatch the second time they tried to process it but it was no biggie and they seem expect it especially after I told them it happened too during the first time I applied for SSN. After a week or so, I got my SSN card in my maiden name. 

 

By the way, this is all before I filed for AOS, EAD and AP. 

[jaysaldi 213]

21 hours ago, Frider said:

 

My advise to others in a similar situation is get the name change before the fiancée visa expires. I was unaware of the SSA’s verification of immigration status rule for name changes.

The name change doesn't seem to be your biggest probem. Your problem is that you're past the ninety days and she doesn't have a SS card in hand.

Does she have a SS number and will they just issue a replacement card for the one that was issued and that you never received?

 

I wonder if part of the delivery issues could be that the mailman doesn't know she lives with you because she has a different last name?  I think it's a good idea after the fiancee arrives to sign her up for a bunch of junk mail mailing lists so the mailman gets used to the fact she lives there or writes her name inside you mailbox or something.