K1 can't get SSN

[Trutta 103]

The two SS offices within 90 minutes of me have been closed since March 2020 (although all stores, casinos, bars, strip clubs and literally ALL other businesses have been open here for several months). Neither "local" office will allow us to schedule an in person appointment, "due to Covid". My wife who entered on a K1 will not be mailing her passport since it could very likely be lost. So it seems there's no way for her to get a SS#.

 

I called the main SS number 3 times. I politely asked what to do. Twice I was put on hold for over 30 minutes and once I was simply hung up on when the operator couldn't come up with a solution.

 

My wife doesn't really need a SS# at all. But I wanted to add her to my bank account for when we eventually get called in for her green card interview. Her K1 will expire in 3 weeks. After that she would have to wait to get AOS. But how can she get AOS if we don't even have a shared bank account?

 

Thank you for any advice here.

[JeanneAdil 6,190]

copy the passport and visa page for your records

and send it to SS office by fed ex or UPS with enclosed stamped return envelope with same company (insure it for replacement costs)

your k1 expired the day  she entered

it is the I 94 that is good for 90 days

[Trutta 103]

1 minute ago, JeanneAdil said:

copy the passport and visa page for your records

and send it to SS office by fed ex or UPS with enclosed stamped return envelope with same company (insure it for replacement costs)

your k1 expired the day  she entered

it is the I 94 that is good for 90 days

She won't be sending her original passport through the mail. I worked for the post office. I won't let her do it. It would be impossible for her to get another passport from the US due to the rules of her country and COVID restrictions. We won't risk it.

[JeanneAdil 6,190]

4 minutes ago, Trutta said:

She won't be sending her original passport through the mail. I worked for the post office. I won't let her do it. It would be impossible for her to get another passport from the US due to the rules of her country and COVID restrictions. We won't risk it.

then you must wait

this is hard but many are stuck in same condition

 

[jazzyy 4]

You can add her to your bank account without a social security number in her name. I work in the financial and just had my wife be added to my bank account after showing them her passport, K1 visa inside passport, certified marriage certificate, and I-94. She also filled out a W-8BEN. Keep pestering your bank to get her added to your account. They DO NOT need a social security number. If they don't do it, tell them you'll open an account with a bank that actually knows how banking with immigrants works.

[Trutta 103]

On 6/1/2021 at 11:55 AM, jazzyy said:

You can add her to your bank account without a social security number in her name. I work in the financial and just had my wife be added to my bank account after showing them her passport, K1 visa inside passport, certified marriage certificate, and I-94. She also filled out a W-8BEN. Keep pestering your bank to get her added to your account. They DO NOT need a social security number. If they don't do it, tell them you'll open an account with a bank that actually knows how banking with immigrants works.

Thanks for the advice. That might work if you live in New York City or something. In our case there is 1 bank within a 90 minute drive, and no immigrants other than my wife. So probably won't work. Thanks though

[jazzyy 4]

22 minutes ago, Trutta said:

Thanks for the advice. That might work if you live in New York City or something. In our case there is 1 bank within a 90 minute drive, and no immigrants other than my wife. So probably won't work. Thanks though

I live in South Dakota, the 46th least populated state in America :). Community banks must compete with national banks like CapitalOne/Chase/etc that will refund your ATM fees no matter where you are.

[SalishSea 16,768]

For others reading:  it is always best for K-1 holders to apply for an SSN right after POE, before even getting married.   Otherwise, it is a very long wait.....

[Trutta 103]

14 hours ago, jazzyy said:

I live in South Dakota, the 46th least populated state in America :). Community banks must compete with national banks like CapitalOne/Chase/etc that will refund your ATM fees no matter where you are.

Good for you. How does that help me?

[Trutta 103]

6 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

For others reading:  it is always best for K-1 holders to apply for an SSN right after POE, before even getting married.   Otherwise, it is a very long wait.....

We tried the day after arriving. It wasn't possible for the reasons you see listed in the original post: the social security offices here aren't open for in person visits. They won't issue a SS without viewing my spouse's passport in person. Otherwise, thanks for the tip.

[Adventine 3,187]

Do you have a personal contact at your bank?

 

My husband talked to his relationship manager at the bank where he has all his business accounts. They set up two bank accounts for me even without SSN. My husband just needed to explain that I was a new immigrant, and sent them a copy of my passport.

 

- an individual checking account

- added me as joint account holder to my husband's existing checking account.

 

If that's not possible, consider adding your spouse as an authorized user to one of your credit cards. My husband did that for me, with Citibank. No SSN required either.

Edited June 3, 2021 by Adventine

[Trutta 103]

2 minutes ago, Adventine said:

Do you have a personal contact at your bank?

 

My husband talked to his relationship manager at the bank where he has all his business accounts. They set up two bank accounts for me even without SSN. My husband just needed to explain that I was a new immigrant, and sent them a copy of my passport.

 

- an individual checking account

- added me as joint account holder to my husband's existing checking account.

 

If that's not possible, consider adding your spouse as an authorized user to one of your credit cards. My husband did that for me, with Citibank. No SSN required either.

Yes. I actually know the branch manager personally. She said she needs a SS due to FACTA (which isn't true, but what am I going to do, argue with her?). The credit card is a good idea! I am going to try to add her to my Visa now.

[YecaCruz 374]

just wanted to echo what was mentioned that you should be able to add your spouse without an SSN as a "non-permanent resident alien". If not at your bank, for whatever reason, another bank. Been in banking for 10 years. Maybe your banker doesn't have experience dealing with immigration/green card stuff? Is there a policy he/she cited that says the SSN is required to add an authorized signor/owner to the account? You need, for sure, an unexpired, government issued ID that has a photo which would be the passport. The SSN can be added later when you obtain it. 

 

We risked it and mailed husband's naturalization cert after citizenship to update his status. Mailed it on a Friday and got those two thing back in our mailbox 3 days later on Tuesday. I called and voiced my concerns about mailing a very important doc It seems dumb that those offices remain closed. We were told "only in emergency cases". HUH? Emergency case for the SSN office? Well what would that be, I'm dying let me in to your office?

[Trutta 103]

6 minutes ago, Adventine said:

Do you have a personal contact at your bank?

 

My husband talked to his relationship manager at the bank where he has all his business accounts. They set up two bank accounts for me even without SSN. My husband just needed to explain that I was a new immigrant, and sent them a copy of my passport.

 

- an individual checking account

- added me as joint account holder to my husband's existing checking account.

 

If that's not possible, consider adding your spouse as an authorized user to one of your credit cards. My husband did that for me, with Citibank. No SSN required either.

Whoops, just tried to add my wife to credit card. Can't do it. Here's what it says:

 

"You will need to provide your Additional Card Member’s Social Security Number now, or when you receive the Card. Your Additional Card will be canceled if this information is not provided within 60 days after the Card is issued."

[Trutta 103]

3 minutes ago, YecaCruz said:

just wanted to echo what was mentioned that you should be able to add your spouse without an SSN as a "non-permanent resident alien". If not at your bank, for whatever reason, another bank. Been in banking for 10 years. Maybe your banker doesn't have experience dealing with immigration/green card stuff? Is there a policy he/she cited that says the SSN is required to add an authorized signor/owner to the account? You need, for sure, an unexpired, government issued ID that has a photo which would be the passport. The SSN can be added later when you obtain it. 

 

We risked it and mailed husband's naturalization cert after citizenship to update his status. Mailed it on a Friday and got those two thing back in our mailbox 3 days later on Tuesday. I called and voiced my concerns about mailing a very important doc It seems dumb that those offices remain closed. We were told "only in emergency cases". HUH? Emergency case for the SSN office? Well what would that be, I'm dying let me in to your office?

There is just one bank anywhere around here. We're in a very rural area. The bank manager said "FACTA". That's wrong. But I'm not going to argue with her. So little option unless I drive to another state and open a new account for the both of us, which sure does sound like a lot of hassle.

 

I guess emergency cases would be like a person who just got injured and needed to apply for disability (I think they have to apply in person). If you were thrown out of work and into a hospital, that would be an emergency.

 

The ridiculous part of it all is that there is a casino and a strip club around here that have both been open all of 2021. But Social Security has to work from home -- even now, in June -- because it would be too dangerous to operate in person. 🥴