Canuck_in_Cali
Registered Users (C)
Yesterday I was approved at my meeting for my GC. The IO stamped my passport with the I-551. At the interview, I updated my last name to my married name. When we filed I used my maiden name because all of my documentation outside of our marriage certificate shows my maiden name. The IO said my card would reflect my married name and should get it within 2 weeks.
So today I went to the SS website. I wanted to see what non-citizens need to apply for a card. Form I-551 was required so I called their 1-800 number to see if my I-551 stamp was acceptable (which says, "EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED"). The lady said yes, so I headed to the office.
I had a knowledgeable guy at the office and when I told him I had a stamp and had called to see if it was ok before coming to the office he says, "What they probably didn't tell you is that you have to wait about 21 days after you're approved because recently USCIS/USDHS have been issuing a GC and a SSN."
He doesn't want to create a new SSN for me when USCIS/USDHS might be creating an account for me. Which makes sense to me - having 2 accounts could really create a headache.
Also important to note, as I stated above, I changed my name yesterday at the interview. He looked at my alien # in his database and saw my application with my maiden name and the status is pending. Before he can issue a card, he says my married name needs to be in their database because the SSN and immigration info must match up. Even if I get my GC in the mail in two weeks, I still should wait 1 more week to see if a SSN is issued by USCIS/USDHS.
He also wasn't sure if his database will show my married name at all (even if I received the GC). This is the point where I tend to doubt his knowledge. Surely if my card will say my married name, so would the database.
Anyway, he told me not to update my passport (which is in my maiden name) because this will be the only acceptable photo ID the SS office can take and it must keep my maiden name in the event the database doesn't change.
So he's saying I could receive a GC with the married name, yet their database might show my maiden name.
Also, legally in California, I have to apply for a driver's license within 10 days of becoming a resident. You need a SSN to do this. He could provide me with some denial letter which would state I cannot get a SSN a this time but am eligible for a driver's license. He can't issue it in my married name, because, again, their database shows my maiden. I want my driver's license to show my married name, and he is inclined to agree with me, so he said I should wait for the SSN to work out before getting my DL.
Most importantly, again, has anyone heard of USCIS/USDHS issuing a SSN to a new resident?
I'd rather have hurdles with the SS than with immigration, surely, but I found this all very interesting.
So today I went to the SS website. I wanted to see what non-citizens need to apply for a card. Form I-551 was required so I called their 1-800 number to see if my I-551 stamp was acceptable (which says, "EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED"). The lady said yes, so I headed to the office.
I had a knowledgeable guy at the office and when I told him I had a stamp and had called to see if it was ok before coming to the office he says, "What they probably didn't tell you is that you have to wait about 21 days after you're approved because recently USCIS/USDHS have been issuing a GC and a SSN."
He doesn't want to create a new SSN for me when USCIS/USDHS might be creating an account for me. Which makes sense to me - having 2 accounts could really create a headache.
Also important to note, as I stated above, I changed my name yesterday at the interview. He looked at my alien # in his database and saw my application with my maiden name and the status is pending. Before he can issue a card, he says my married name needs to be in their database because the SSN and immigration info must match up. Even if I get my GC in the mail in two weeks, I still should wait 1 more week to see if a SSN is issued by USCIS/USDHS.
He also wasn't sure if his database will show my married name at all (even if I received the GC). This is the point where I tend to doubt his knowledge. Surely if my card will say my married name, so would the database.
Anyway, he told me not to update my passport (which is in my maiden name) because this will be the only acceptable photo ID the SS office can take and it must keep my maiden name in the event the database doesn't change.
So he's saying I could receive a GC with the married name, yet their database might show my maiden name.
Also, legally in California, I have to apply for a driver's license within 10 days of becoming a resident. You need a SSN to do this. He could provide me with some denial letter which would state I cannot get a SSN a this time but am eligible for a driver's license. He can't issue it in my married name, because, again, their database shows my maiden. I want my driver's license to show my married name, and he is inclined to agree with me, so he said I should wait for the SSN to work out before getting my DL.
Most importantly, again, has anyone heard of USCIS/USDHS issuing a SSN to a new resident?
I'd rather have hurdles with the SS than with immigration, surely, but I found this all very interesting.
