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Maybe it's because I have never financed a car, but I sure can't recall ever providing a social security number on any car transaction.

Newest update! They have all been approved and only Ruby needs new NBI with married name.
 

It would not be a problem.  Just bring along the marriage certificate too.
 
Also, they always say it will take 8 months for a processed ROM to be available from PSA but in fact less than 2 months is more realistic.   You can check the status on it being sent to PSA by periodically e-mailing oca.crd-us@dfa.gov.ph with a copy of the ROM the consulate returned to you and asking if the "transmittal details" are available yet.  If they respond with the "transmittal details" you can use that to get a copy from PSA.

I agree with this, as a K1 visa holder you are eligible to get a SSN, but the window is very limited. This is what we did. Get the SSN although it will be in the maiden name it will not be any problem to change to the married name later if you wish. Be sure to get your I-94 before applying for the SSN. That can be gotten from the I-94 website online be sure to print out several copies as you will need them later. SSN is most important and its a very easy process the sooner you apply. Some states do require a SSN to apply for the marriage license so you'll have to check your state requirements. The key is start building for your AOS NOW and with a SSN it makes it all the better.

There's no issue applying for marriage license before or after applying for SSN, as far as I know.
 
Make sure to apply for SSN before marriage or at least before K-1 visa expiration though, because the next opportunity will only open in many months when receiving EAD or GC.
 
 

I disagree with this statement. Having SSN solves a lot of issues. AOS can take a year or so, and not being able to drive / bank / build evidence of married life is painful. AOS is restrictive as is, it's not worth depriving the new immigrant of vital things. Using passport as ID is a bad idea in my opinion for at least three reasons:
 
1. Passport is a document for travelling outside of the US. If lost, immigrant will have issues travelling home in case of emergency.
2. Passport has endorsed immigrant visa which is proof of legal entry. If lost and if ever questioned by USCIS, it's hard to prove legal entry without it! No proof of legal entry = no adjustment in most cases.
3. Furthermore, if immigrant only has passport as ID, if lost - they have NO ID and no easy way go get a new ID. State ID / DL is a much better choice to show around. Passport is best kept safe at home when not travelling.
4. Many Americans cannot understand / don't want to / doubt foreign issued documents including passports. It's a much better idea to show state ID / DL for routine identity verification. Don't you want the immigrant to integrate in US society faster?
 

My opinion is somewhat different. Get SSN first while K-1 is valid. This would allow to add fiance to lease, bank accounts, health insurance and allowing to build evidence of bonafide marriage early in the process. Many people realize this when they get RFE during AOS and cannot get any new evidence without SSN.

It all goes electronically to the embassy.  K1's and any other non-immigrant category that requires a medical still get yellow packets in Manila.   Those people should get it when they receive their passport with visa.  For CR,IR, Fx and any other immigrant categories it's all electronic.

My wife is constantly trying to take over my side of the bed.

CFO has never been to concerned by age gap by itself but they have been known to give younger applicants a little closer scrutiny.  Just go in there prepared to talk confidently about your relationship.  The counselor may judge you by if they think you know what your are getting into with your relationship. If you seem responsible and mature they shouldn't give you any problems.  In general CFO has been allot easier to deal with lately.  After the total meltdown they had last summer they seem to have settled down a bit.  No recent complaints about them that I have heard.

Yes you must file the 751 no more than 90 days before the green card expires. This is the best site to be on. I've learned alot myself as I stumbled on this website by chance reading about the reviews of the embassy in Manila. 
 
E

Thank you so much, this clears it all up for me. All my names match all that. I'm relieved that the AKA field doesn't apply based on what you've said. Have a good one!

If your full maiden name on the NBI Clearance is exactly the same as it appeared on your original PSA birth certificate AND your husband's surname is listed AND your civil status is listed as "married" then you do not need an AKA.
 
If your parents were married when you were born then your father's surname would be listed as "FAMILY NAME", your first name(or first names if more than one) would be listed as "FIRST NAME", your mother's maiden surname would be listed as "MIDDLE NAME" and your husband's surname would be listed as "HUSBAND'S SURNAME".
 
If your names on the NBI Clearance exactly match that and there are no annotations, corrections or alternate usage on any of your documents then you DO NOT need an AKA.

If your full maiden name on the NBI Clearance is exactly the same as it appeared on your original PSA birth certificate AND your husband's surname is listed AND your civil status is listed as "married" then you do not need an AKA.
 
If your parents were married when you were born then your father's surname would be listed as "FAMILY NAME", your first name(or first names if more than one) would be listed as "FIRST NAME", your mother's maiden surname would be listed as "MIDDLE NAME" and your husband's surname would be listed as "HUSBAND'S SURNAME".
 
If your names on the NBI Clearance exactly match that and there are no annotations, corrections or alternate usage on any of your documents then you DO NOT need an AKA.

Her other ID's being in her maiden name is not a problem.  CFO would automatically understand the difference between married and maiden name and would not expect ID's to be updated.

The ROM is required by the Philippine Government and it legalizes an overseas marriage under Philippine Law.  It is unimportant to the US Government or for US immigration purposes, other than it would be necessary if your wife wanted to change to your name prior to her visa, green card and social security card all being issued in her maiden name.  If you plan on having little or no real interactions within the Philippines in the future, it is probably of little value and doesn't really matter.  If the Philippines may play a more significant role in your future, such as if you want to retire there, own family property there, etc ect, it would be more important because it could affect your rights as a spouse of a Filipino citizen in the Philippines and might often come up in any kind of dealings with the Philippine Government.
 
Edit to add.  The name changing aspect applies to CR1/IR1 cases.  K1 applicants could just change their name during adjustment of status with a US Marriage Certificate so less important in K1 cases.

Got interview date for my husband, for May 2!
Congrats to us and all of those who got the ILs!
And yes, this is actually the normal way - us getting an interview date rather than scheduling it. 
The only reason some need to schedule their own is because they were "auto-expedited". MNL embassy is trying to clear their backlogs.
But this is how things should be.
 

CR1 I just got my interview email saying my wife's interview is on May 23rd!  Is it normal that we wouldn't have to schedule it...?

Congratulations!!  It's just nice to finally see some movement.  After 8 months wit ZERO visajourney members getting spousal interviews at US Embassy Manila, nine have now updated their timelines with recent or imminent interviews.
 
Those who still having trouble scheduling interviews just keep checking.  Twice this last week they opened up a few more dates which were quickly snatched up.  Speculation is that 1:00PM to 2:00PM Manila time is when they have recently released  more dates.  Also, anyone who has an interview date scheduled but cant get a date at Saint Luke's, apparently they are taking walk-ins without appointment if they have an interview scheduled in the next 10 days.
 
I remain totally baffled by what USEM is doing.    

Hey man, I just wanted to personally thank you for this post. The fact that I followed your advice was THE reason why my wife was already able to complete her interview at USEM on April 8, after we got auto-expedited at the end of March. My wife talked with another lady whose case got auto-expedited at the same time as ours did...they waited for the email with instructions to book an interview, and the earliest interview appointment they could book was in July.
 
I will be able to bring my wife over to America in time to celebrate my 30th birthday with my family in May, and to attend my cousin's baby shower in June. She would have missed both of these events if I hadn't seen your post and done what you had suggested. I really appreciate it!

Those who received auto-expedites.  In the previous mass expedites, the whole system gets hit all at once, Philippine parts get jammed up and break down, and those who move quickly hold the advantage.  If you got an expedite, book Saint Luke's now, create your http://ustraveldocs.com/ph account now, and as soon as your case status is "Ready" start trying to schedule.  Don't wait for an e-mail from the embassy with instructions. If it's "Ready" you can proceed as soon as it lets you. If you get "case number not found" try again later.
 
Any CR's yet? 

It probably won't harm her chances for a CR1 or a K1 visa, but sadly it's safe to assume her prospects of another B2 visa at anytime in the future is virtually zero even though there isn't a ban.  Reapplying in 6 months, or ever, for another B2 would likely just be a waste of $185.  Since it seems you plan to marry anyway, I would wholeheartedly agree with Crazy Cat's suggested formula of "a Utah online marriage, a visit, then file papers for a CR-1 spousal visa" as the most practical way forward.

I have given up on trying to figure out what US Embassy Manila is up to>  they seem to be wildly thrashing around on scheduling with no rhyme or reason
 
February's visa statistics are out and for an embassy that should be one of the busiest on the planet for spousal visa, US Embassy Manila managed to accomplish only 67 IR1 visas and only ONE!!!! CR1 visa in the whole month of February.
 
The most recent mass expedite encompassing only IR1's and IR2's while passing over CR's with older DQ dates is yet a new previously unseen twist.  US Embassy Manila continues their streak of being nonsensical.
 
I guess if I were CR1, I would take note that in February and March, around the 8th or possibly the second Friday of the month (??) NVC had been sending interview letters to all CR's and IR's, including IR5's, going by DQ date.  IR5's were also not included in the recent mass expedite so one could speculate that if NVC does still send out a batch of interview letters this week, it would encompass CR's and IR5's who were DQ from late May 2023 forward.  That is a group that should be depleted of IR1's and IR2's by that mass expedite so maybe it could advance a few months??
 
Or, USEM could just do something completely random that is impossible to predict.

We were notified in the morning that showed case in Manila. At 2:30am that night, was able to access and schedule interviews for Ir-1, Ir-2.

Just an update for you and @powerpuffshe got an appointment today for the visa scheduled next week!!!
 
I still am pretty sure she would be fine with her I-551, but now there are no worries, Thank God.
So we will just give them her passport and I-551 to see what they say at the airport and see if they even ask for her visa.
 
I will update you both after the trip. Appreciate the advice!