While waiting for AOS can I

T

TallaghtLad

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I entered the USA on the Visa Waiver and married my USC girlfriend and I am now staying with her in PA.

We have submitted all the forms for the I-130, AOS, EAD etc and waiting to hear back on everything.

While I'm waiting does anybody know how I can do any of the following :

Open a bank account
Get a drivers license

I know that some of these can't be done without a SSN, is there any way I can get a SSN before the EAD comes through? I've heard about a special type of SSN that is for 'ID Only' and not valid for work. Can i apply for one of these and then get it upgraded to a work valid one after the EAD is approved.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mick.
 
TallaghtLad said:
Hi,

I entered the USA on the Visa Waiver and married my USC girlfriend and I am now staying with her in PA.

We have submitted all the forms for the I-130, AOS, EAD etc and waiting to hear back on everything.

While I'm waiting does anybody know how I can do any of the following :

Open a bank account
Get a drivers license

I know that some of these can't be done without a SSN, is there any way I can get a SSN before the EAD comes through? I've heard about a special type of SSN that is for 'ID Only' and not valid for work. Can i apply for one of these and then get it upgraded to a work valid one after the EAD is approved.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mick.
Click to expand...
You are probably referring to the TIN # which is solely used for IRS related purposes. I dont think you can open a bank account or apply for a drivers license based on your TIN. Though this rule varies across states, you should check with your bank and DMV to see if they encourage the use of a TIN. Maybe others can comment more on this...
 
While doing a bit of research into this myself I noticed that some of them ( like the bank ) also require a proof of address.

Does anybody know the easiest way of doing this also ?
 
I think it depends on the state. When I went to the DMV the first time, they gave me a form to take to the SSA Social Security Administration, which issued a SSN for me, which wasnt valid for employment, but good for Drivers License etc. But I think this depends on the state.

I would call or go to the local DMV. I think you should be able to obtain your license
 
As for your bank statement, I opened my without a social security number, they just needed to see my passport.

Oh and they won't give you a drivers license without a social security number.
 
I have been a USC since birth and I have never been asked to show my Social Security Card... A Social Security Card is so easy to duplicate and forge, that I don't think anyone really takes it seriously for any type of ID. In fact, although I have had my SSN since I was a young kid (now you apply when you are born) I have never had the physical card until a few weeks ago when I went with my wife to get her card and I thought, why not get mine while I was there.

That being said, I have also opened up probably a dozen bank accounts over my lifetime (I moved a lot for college and grad school and ATM's were not as common then, no bad motives :)) and have never been asked for a Social Security Card. They just ask you to provide it on a form. So for a bank account, I don't see any problem with using an ITIN. The bank just need to CTA from regulators. However, I think the wait for an ITIN is over 3 months now so you will have your EAD and likely your SSN by then.

For the drivers license, what State do you live in? The Federal Real ID Act does not go into effect until May 2008 so States can still give out drivers licenses to illegals, non-status, and out-of-status individuals if the State law does not prohibit it. My State just started requiring USCIS status verification about 6 months ago... Before that, you could of got one.
 
I'm in Albany, NY. I went to HSBC. It's the only back in the area that do not require SSN. I don't know about driver license. I don't think u can.
 
Much things has been changed since 9/11. Even during 2001 you was still able to open an account without showing any kind of ID and SSN.

The Patriot Act is the one who is in effect since the end of 2001, is the one who stablish that companies like banks should ask for proof of residency and who you are. Most banks (not all) but most banks require that you show your SSN since is part of their forms and when you call or to make an enquiry they do it through your name and SSN. Some banks after the Patriot Act contac some of their clients to check this information. The Patriot Act is the one who stablish all this issue and many states comply with it including in their DMV rules. The Real ID Act is not the Patriot Act, the Real ID act extend the process and rules for identification issues around the country (including air).

Most DMV's around the United States ask for proof of residency (for example, if you are living in an apartment you just bring the copy of your lease that show your name), to show your legal status (if you are a USC probably sometime when you were 15 years old you went with your parent to get your permit so you should be still on the DMV database, if you are not then you should proof your legal status) AND your SSN. For example in GA, AL and FL is like that. There are many states that won't give you any license until you proof that you are authorize to stay here, like to show your EAD (and when you get that you will have your SSN) or others type of visas like H-1B, etc. Check out directly with the DMV that will go, since sometimes their website states something and they have changed something. Normally, they are getting more restricted. Many people since has been here for many years, had a driver license because when you were a visitor you could do it (before), but most of those rules are not longer valid since 2002. There are states who still give driver's license to illegals or out of status but they are:Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and West Virginia (I don't know if California does). This is an old list, I think it shrink recently and I know that on the DMV in Maryland they ask for proof of legal status.

I wouldn't recommend to use an ITIN for bank issues since is strictly given by the IRS only for tax pourposes.

Mostly of the ones who has been over here, just wait patiently the 3 months to get the EAD and then the SSN, and the time goes by quickly. You can start make search about jobs and all that kind of information or take a course of something.

Good luck,
 
I honestly don't remember what I needed to get my license in MA but I know I can't get the one in CT till I get the EAD. My husband just changed his from MA to CT and they required his BC. They do have a field for your SSN and my guess is that they have a way to check if you're just making it up.
 
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