iCodeClean

I would recommend you to do the same as I did, go to your local SSA and apply for a SSN. It seems that it often doesn’t work as expected. Additionally, the SSA website itself states, that if you didn’t receive your SSN after 3 weeks, you should give them a call. However, as you can see from this thread, I called there, too. But what helped the most is applying for the SSN at the local office. I received my card one week later. You also check the SAVE database and check if you can see anything when you provide your data. For me, it returned nothing. But on the day I applied I could see that the process was started. https://www.uscis.gov/save/save-casecheck

Just FYI I called the SSA public number and asked what that means. They said that the local SSA probably made a mistake or didn’t know how to handle that. It happens quite often she said. I should go there and apply for a SSN or go to another SSA and apply for one.

Yes, I showed it when I first went there for my son 2 weeks ago, and then today again. Today both offices looked at it, one said I had to wait and the other one applied for me. But other people don’t have to go to the office at all and get the SSN automatically. I guess that is why I received the letter today, because I didn’t apply for one before, until today, and the letter came through the automatic process. But like I said earlier, I did check “yes” for the SSN on my DS-260 card. So I don’t know why I got that letter. I would expect that they have everything they need and that I get the SSN automatically without having to show anything, like it worked for others. Now I did that in person at the SSA, that is where I could understand that they might need something else. I guess my local SSA is just not as knowledgeable as the second one I went today.

I just got home and had mail in my inbox from the local SSA. It states that they cannot issue a social security number at this time, because I have not given them - Documents they need to show age - Documents they need to show identity - Documents they need to show U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status The date on the letter is May 11th. If I disagree with the above I can ask them to review the case. Someone who did not look at it will then review it again. I never went there personally and applied, since they wouldn’t let me. I guess it’s good that I went to another SSA today and applied for one.

Yes, I didn’t think that 2 different SSA offices would do and say totally different things. If you wouldn’t have given me the hint, I would still have waited. So thank you again!

The process of issuing the SSN. i just filled applied for the SSN at the other SSA. It worked. Thank you!

Good to know, thank you Mike! But that an empty result is returned from the SAVE database means it’s at least not yet in process right?

I’m currently waiting to be called at the other local SSA. In the meantime I checked my I94 on the website and it states that my most recent visit was last year (our last vacation here). I guess something isn’t correct or the officer at the border didn’t register my entry?

I didn’t know that I could go to another one. The next one takes about 45 minutes to get there, but I’ll start driving in a few minutes. Thanks for the hint!

So, I did go to my local SSA office this morning. I said that I want to apply for a SSN for the first time. They typed in my name and birthdate into their computer after I provided them with my passport and birth certificate. The result for them showed empty, so the guy checked with a co-worker on what to do. After he came back, he told me that I have to wait 6 weeks before applying for a SSN, so that they can prevent creating the number 2 times. I told him that I never applied for one. He told me, still, they do that automatic and that they have to give them that time. I also told him that even the ssa.gov page itself states that I should only wait 3 weeks, even when I applied for one. He told me that yes, but they put out the wrong information. He assured me that my specific local SSA office has to wait at least 6 weeks. He then told me that I should come back at the end of the month or beginning of next month, if I don't have it by then.

We did the same thing for my son a few days after we arrived. He received his SSN within a week, and I think if I can tell my potential employer that I applied for the SSN and that it should come within 2 or 3 weeks, that it will be ok. It would probably be a problem if I wait 3 more weeks to reach their 6 weeks deadline before I apply for a card. I didn’t know if I could get in trouble when applying for a new card at my local office, even though I checked “yes” on my DS-260. But I will go to the local office tomorrow morning and apply for a SSN, thanks to your replies. Thank you for the advice!

Hey everybody, I entered the United States around 3 weeks ago. However, my SSN didn't arrive yet and like other people, I now got an offer letter from a company. They stated that I need to provide my SSN before I start, and I should start in a little more than a week. I called the public SSA phone number and, after a long wait, they told me that it can take up to 6 weeks for people who entered the US from overseas. The 3 weeks waiting time is only for US citizens applying for the first time. I should call again by the end of June. So I googled again, and the ssa.gov pages FAQ says that if after 3 weeks of arrival the card didn't arrive I should call. I also searched the SAVE database and the result is empty. I'm now thinking about if I should go to the local SSO and apply for a number, even though I checked YES for the SSN on my visa form. It's a good job and they have many other potential candidates. I don't want to "lose" the job because I don't have my SSN yet. Does someone have advice for me? Thank you in advance!

That sounds about right. The Bern embassy page here says it takes 1 month, so I think in the past it was like that. Thanks for letting us know then, and again I wish you the best of luck in December.

I just received my appointment a few minutes ago. It will be in January. Please let us know how your interview went in December!

Thank you for your reply @ozzac! I was DQed on 3rd of November so I hope my appointment will come soon, too. I would also have expected that you would get your interview within November though. But it's nice that you already have your fixed appointment which you can look forward to. I hope that you that everything goes quick and smooth for you.