Do we need to update Social Security before applying for passport?
- Thread starter siyaram
- Start date
You do not need to update the SS before applying for the passport because the Department of State does not match SS with your name or status. It only checks the SS that you put on application for any IRA flags and verifies it against the list of persons prohibited to travel.
It is better to update Social Security Card as soon as you are naturalized. The SS office just want to see the original naturalization certificate before updating. If you apply for passport, you need to wait 3-4 weeks to get your original naturalization certificate back.
TheRealCanadian
Volunteer Moderator
Which isn't the end of the world. I still haven't bothered notifying SSA of my status.
John Smith 1
Registered Users (C)
i did the same thing, got my passport first, then i went to the SSA to update my SS record, i gave them my passport, the officer scanned it then he gave it to me back
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
The main benefit of notifying the SSA is to avoid issues with eVerify when you take a new job, or with voter registration where some states cross-check your citizenship status with the SSA before adding you to the voter list (or removing those who are already on the list, if the SSA does not confirm their citizenship status). So there is no need to rush to update the SSA if you are not applying for a job or registering to vote anytime soon.
richmondva
Registered Users (C)
Really this was a no brainer for me. It was a 10 minute affair at the local SSA office for applying to update the SSN and no sending originals around. I put in the application to update my SSN and then send in my passport application right after that. For me it was a matter of getting one more important task completed (and it should be done irrespective of how some may try to justify their "laziness" 
).
Logically I opted for the SSN update before the passport so both processes could proceed in parallel; since the latter required submitting the original for a few weeks. It finally took around 9 weeks and 4 phone calls to get my new SS card (although took only 10 days for my wife); so I suppose it was smart to start that process sooner than later.
). Logically I opted for the SSN update before the passport so both processes could proceed in parallel; since the latter required submitting the original for a few weeks. It finally took around 9 weeks and 4 phone calls to get my new SS card (although took only 10 days for my wife); so I suppose it was smart to start that process sooner than later.
sanjoseaug20
Registered Users (C)
Heavily edited but no words out of original sequence. Now, what do you say?
Yes! DMV asks first for Social Security Card update if name changes on the DL.
PerpetualGC
Registered Users (C)
My wife naturalized in 1992
and has not done it either. Her SS card does not have the "not valid for blah blah" verbage as she got it aeons ago. Mine does (I came to the US after her) and while filling out my SS-5 I realized she needs one too...Social Security Card-New Look
After becoming US citizen, I updated my status with SSA. I got my new social security card with new name but old number. I noticed a change in the new card. At the bottom of my name "USA" printed in gold color. This may be due to new printing version (2007) as compared to my old SS card printing version (2004).
After becoming US citizen, I updated my status with SSA. I got my new social security card with new name but old number. I noticed a change in the new card. At the bottom of my name "USA" printed in gold color. This may be due to new printing version (2007) as compared to my old SS card printing version (2004).