Marriage in South Carolina

[Joey and Yan]

My county in SC is telling me that my Fiancee and myself cannot be married here as she does not have a SS number yet?

So? She is here on a K1 visa , of course has no SS number yet. Any suggestions? Nothing like living in a backwards-ass State.

She of course has her passport with the K1 visa inside and the I-94 record.

[NewDay2006]

My county in SC is telling me that my Fiancee and myself cannot be married here as she does not have a SS number yet?

So? She is here on a K1 visa , of course has no SS number yet. Any suggestions? Nothing like living in a backwards-ass State.

She of course has her passport with the K1 visa inside and the I-94 record.

Can't you go somewhere else and marry ?? ... Like Tennessee, Pigeon Forge... they will marry you.

[dnoblett]

NOTE: K-1 is not a work visa, it is a fiancee visa for entry to the USA and marriage, K-1 is "Work Auth" primarily to be able to get the SSN, some states are strict in their interpretation of a federal law that requires persons applying for a "license" to have SSN, this can cause a problem with marriage license if only one person has SSN and the other (the K-1 holder) does not.

 

Go to SSA and order a number. Do this about 2 weeks AFTER entry, but no later than 76 days after entry.

[Toplaw]

If you don't get an SSN soon enough just go to a different county and apply for a marriage license. You can call ahead or check websites for what each county requires.

 

Each county clerk interprets and applies the law, and some of them are overzealous about it. It isn't an issue in a place like Houston, because they are accustomed to people without social security numbers applying for a marriage license.

[Mike62356]

If you don't get an SSN soon enough just go to a different county and apply for a marriage license. You can call ahead or check websites for what each county requires.

 

Each county clerk interprets and applies the law, and some of them are overzealous about it. It isn't an issue in a place like Houston, because they are accustomed to people without social security numbers applying for a marriage license.

I bet you guys there are used to it, my Uncle lives in Dallas and he says they jump the ditch all the time .

Where I live they don't ask for ssn, good lock

[Randy W]

My county in SC is telling me that my Fiancee and myself cannot be married here as she does not have a SS number yet?

So? She is here on a K1 visa , of course has no SS number yet. Any suggestions? Nothing like living in a backwards-ass State.

She of course has her passport with the K1 visa inside and the I-94 record.

 

 

In case you missed it, GO GET YOUR SSN NOW, ming bai ma?

 

 

As long as she hasn't been here more than 75 days. That would be too late.

[georgeandli]

We didn't need a SSN for the wife but I had to go get a translator [her nephew]. The 20 something intern was playing by the book.

[LeeFisher3]

South Carolina has overstepped their authority, what they are demanding is not legal. Before you discount this approach read it through.

 

Kansas has a similar law REQUESTING the SSN of both parties, but the statute is not read by the people issuing the license. It REQUESTS the SSN be provided, but can not require it as the usage is dictated by Federal Law.

 

Print out the following SSA

Can a noncitizen obtain a Social Security number to get a driver's license?

 

Highlight the following:

• A federal statute or regulation requires the noncitizen to provide an SSN to get a particular benefit or service; or
  
• A state or local law requires the noncitizen to provide a SSN to get general assistance benefits.
  

Also request they provide you with the state statute that requires them to collect a social security number and to show you where the statute supersedes federal law as a marriage license is not a request for a general assistance benefit. If they find the statute you will probably discover that the legislature used the term "REQUEST" which does not mean required.

 

You want them to provide you with a document that ORDERS the Social Security Administration to issue her the SSN so you can comply with their requirement.

 

You are going to get this kicked up a level or two.

 

Now DEMAND that they provide you with their privacy act disclosure as required by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), this is not an optional request that they can legally deny because they are demanding you provide your SSN and Federal law dictates their request.

 

The Privacy Act requires the agency to inform the person of the following: the statutory or other authority for requesting the information; whether disclosure is mandatory or voluntary; what uses will be made of the information; and the consequences, if any, of failure to provide the information.

 

99.9% of the time you will be refused a Privacy Act Statement.

 

If all this fails to get you a license go to the District Attorney's office and ask them to aid you in discovering the truth as you believe your fianc¨¦e is being discriminated against by the county who is violating federal law.

 

BTW take your fianc¨¦e to the SSA and get her SSN, but don't let the county stand in your way. You will get used to fighting these little battles, but don't get pissed. Stay calm and have a happy smile on your face during the entire process. If you loose it they can demand you leave the building, but if you are a nice and kind person they can't have you thrown out.