How to apply for SSN after arriving to America?

[Noktor 4]

What is the necessary steps to take to apply for a social security card (get an SSN). Does this step get done after getting married but before applying for AOS (Greencard I-485)? Also does it cost anything?

[Dashinka 24,592]

Most will recommend getting an SSN soon after arrival on a K1.  I haven't been to an SSA office lately, so am not certain of the appointment protocols, but I would schedule an appointment for 2-3 days after arrival.  If the clerks at the SSA give you any trouble, ask for a supervisor as a person that enters the US on a K1 visa is allowed to apply for a SSN.

 

That being said, it is not a requirement to have a SSN for marrying or for filing the AOS, but having one makes many things in a marriage easier such as opening or adding someone to a joint bank account, getting a state DL or ID, etc.  Since the k1 only allows for a 90 day authorized stay, it is best to apply for the SSN soon after arrival as if one has less than 3-4 weeks (might be 2, I don't remember) left on their authorized stay, the SSA will do nothing and you will have to wait for an EAD/AP card or the GC.

 

Lastly, there is no cost for a SSN application.

 

Good Luck!

Edited February 15, 2023 by Dashinka

[Noktor 4]

Do we need to get married (marriage certificate/license) first before applying for an SSN? Because I went to the county clerk's office to get a marriage certificate with my vietnamese fiance and they put the order of her name according to how it was written in her vietnamese passport and visa, and they told me that they couldn't do anything to change the order to the american format. So I'm just worried that going to the SSA office and applying for an ssn, they will give me problems due to the difference in name order that's on our marriage certificate.

 

Did you apply for your fiance's SSN or get married first?

Edited February 15, 2023 by Noktor

[Dashinka 24,592]

10 minutes ago, Noktor said:

Do we need to get married (marriage certificate/license) first before applying for an SSN? Because I went to the county clerk's office to get a marriage certificate with my vietnamese fiance and they put the order of her name according to how it was written in her vietnamese passport and visa, and they told me that they couldn't do anything to change the order to the american format. So I'm just worried that going to the SSA office and applying for an ssn, they will give me problems due to the difference in name order that's on our marriage certificate.

 

Did you apply for your fiance's SSN or get married first?

Your fiancé can apply prior to you guys getting married, but if you are getting married very soon, you can do it after.  In our case my then fiancé arrived, we married two weeks later, and she applied for a SSN the next week.  I don't remember the SSA even looking at our marriage certificate as they will only issue the card based on the foreign passport information.

[mytruelove18 608]

It is better apply before get martied, many ss ofice dont let you get a ssn after get married, they want see a uscis document after get married, so better before married. Just get your passport, and i-94 .

Any change on name you do it after get married

[Noktor 4]

Does it really make a difference whether you apply  before or after signing up for an SSN? I mean what exactly will be different whether we apply before or after getting married?

[Lemonslice 4,886]

4 hours ago, Noktor said:

Does it really make a difference whether you apply  before or after signing up for an SSN? I mean what exactly will be different whether we apply before or after getting married?

Some have trouble getting the SSN after marriage, when they have entered on the K1 visa - not all SSA offices have a good understanding of the rules.   Easier to go before wedding, if possible.  

[Stein 276]

5 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

Some have trouble getting the SSN after marriage, when they have entered on the K1 visa - not all SSA offices have a good understanding of the rules.   Easier to go before wedding, if possible.  

I am confused about this.  How can someone get a SSN when they have no status in the US?  I mean if you don't marry within 90 days they have to leave the country but they still have a SSN?  Maybe I just don't understand the rules because my wife came in on a CR-1 visa so she was given immediate LPR status.  A K1 visitor is just a visitor until they marry and adjust status, right?

[Dashinka 24,592]

23 minutes ago, Stein said:

I am confused about this.  How can someone get a SSN when they have no status in the US?  I mean if you don't marry within 90 days they have to leave the country but they still have a SSN?  Maybe I just don't understand the rules because my wife came in on a CR-1 visa so she was given immediate LPR status.  A K1 visitor is just a visitor until they marry and adjust status, right?

If you look at the details of the K1 visa, the person who enters with one does have status for 90 days, is legally allowed to apply for employment authorization, and can get an SSN.  Now that status is temporary, only good for 90 days, so in reality it is not practical to apply for an EAD, but they can get the SSN.

[Noktor 4]

To confirm, all they asked was for her passport/visa. They asked for her I-94, but she didn't have it with her. So I guess it's really isn't necessary. Appplied and they told me that the name order has to be exactly the same as it's written/shown on her passport/visa. I asked if it was possible to change the order and they told me no and I would have to speak with immigration regarding that. Besides that, the process was pretty simple just extremely long wait times like almost 5 hours in total. They will mail the card within 2 weeks or 7-10 days.