SS# necessary before filing I-485?

[muddy1112]

I arrived with my fiancee less than two weeks ago and we got married almost right away, partly because I want to get as much as possible of her paperwork dealt with before I start graduate school next month.

 

So, we're married, we've got the marriage certificate, she's had the necessary vaccinations, and we want to get the ball rolling. She also is quite anxious to begin looking for a job, so she's constantly worried about the employment authorization business.

 

The main question I have is, is it a good idea to get her social security number before we send in the I-485? The form seems to expect that she'll have one, but she doesn't yet. After looking through some of the information on the candle, it seems that the general consensus is that one should wait at least 2 weeks before going to the social security office to get a number so that it can be issued promptly when her name shows up in their computer system. We haven't been back for two weeks, so going early might create a slowup.

 

In any case, is it better to send in the I-765 EAD at the same time as the I-485, or should we just send in the EAD first? Will sending in the EAD first slow things up?

 

And when she gets her SS#, will the employer need to see the EAD in addition to the SS card? If anyone has any idea of the shortest possible time frame in which she could begin working with all legal documents in order, I'd love to here your thoughts.

 

Sorry for all the questions.

 

Thanks.

[hakkamike]

You do not need a SS# to file your I-485 and if it were me I would go down to the SS office and try to get it now, I have never heard of the 2 week waiting logic? You can not file for a EAD or AP before you send in your I-485, most people apply for these at the same time they send in their I-485.

[muddy1112]

Thanks for that, I didn't realize that you couldn't apply for the EAD before the I-485 is filed.

 

BUT, the 2 week waiting logic does make sense I think. It's a matter of whether or not her name is in their computer system yet. If it's not, I think the process is slowed down because the SS office needs to contact USCIS and get some kind of written confirmation of her status before they can proceed any further.

[hakkamike]

I do understand what you are saying in regards with being in the computer, your wifes may have been inputted in the system sooner than that or later than the two weeks, its like a crap shoot.. It still will not hurt to go down and get the ball rolling on it.

Good Luck, Michael Perez

Edited July 20, 2005 by hakkamike (see edit history)

[cosmiclobster]

Thanks for that, I didn't realize that you couldn't apply for the EAD before the I-485 is filed. 

 

BUT, the 2 week waiting logic does make sense I think.  It's a matter of whether or not her name is in their computer system yet.  If it's not, I think the process is slowed down because the SS office needs to contact USCIS and get some kind of written confirmation of her status before they can proceed any further.

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Muddy: We waited over a month for her to get her her SSN because we applied when she was only in the US for 3 or 4 days.

Apparently the immigration officer at the POE just checks her entry documents to see if they are valid but the bulk of the info is not entered into the "system" until some days later.

Our SSN lady could see Amy's papers in one part of the system but the docs weren't listed in another part and if she entered the application now it would start an inquiry that would take a month or two to resolve (this according to the lady). After talking with 3 other people in the office she decided that she would put the app aside and write a note on her calender to process the app on the 10th business day after her entry. We waited the 10 days and another 10 days for the card to arrive, which it didn't. We called a few times and finally went back to the office. "Your SSN was mailed already!!" I didn't believe it but the card did arrive a few days later.

 

From what I've heard about what others have said about the SSN personnel, you might get 6 different responses for the same question.

 

All I know for sure is that this is what happened to us.

 

Good Luck!!!

[muddy1112]

Thanks for the story CosmicLobster, that's the kind of stuff I'm trying to avoid. But I guess we're at their mercy anyway and you can never feel too sure about this kind of thing.

 

I still don't really understand the EAD situation. I had been under the impression that technically, she is legally able to work when she steps in the country. Will the SS card be enough for the employer until she gets the EAD? It seems like the EAD could take some time to actually get in her hands.

[hakkamike]

When she gets her SS card it will have on it Valid For Work Only With DHS Authorization, that is when employer will(or should) require the the EAD to be presented to them.

[The Jeff]

You do not need a SS# to file your I-485 and if it were me I would go down to the SS office and try to get it now, I have never heard of the 2 week waiting logic?  You can not file for a EAD or AP before you send in your I-485, most people apply for these at the same time they send in their I-485.

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Is this true for K3ers too? I hope not.

[Trigg]

A K1 is authorized to work. The SSN must be applied for within 76 days of entry into the country. After that you will need an EAD for a work authorized SSN. The real problem is finding an SSA office that understand these rules!!

 

EAD connot be filed before the I-485.