Is it mandatory to inform SSA about new status?

[coykiesaol]

I see that many are going to SSA to update their status from alien to citizen. I would appreciate if you can let me know is this mandatory or optional? If it is optional – why are you doing this?

All I have received after oath was instruction how to apply for passport.

Why we are not notified officially by any of government agencies? I was not able to find any instruction on SSA site not other government sites regarding this issue.

 

[nkm-oct23]

See below, extract from SSA website:

What if my immigration status or citizenship changed?

If your immigration status changed or you became a U.S. citizen, you should tell Social Security so your records can be updated. To get your immigration status or citizenship corrected, you need to show documents that prove your new status or citizenship. Only certain documents can be accepted as proof of citizenship for new and replacement cards. These include your U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current immigration documents.

 

[Jackolantern]

If you don't properly notify the SSA of your updated status, you may face the following problems:

- When an employer uses e-Verify, the system may fail to confirm your citizenship status, because e-Verify does some cross-checking with SSA.
- For voter registration, some states cross-check with the SSA database.
- If you are arrested in one of those states where they check the immigration status of people they arrest before releasing them, their checks may fail to confirm your citizenship if they use the SSA. That could mean the difference between you being released after a couple of hours vs. being locked up overnight or longer while they try to verify your status via other means.