Hi Gang,

Well we made it, my wife emigrated from China to USA 9/14 and just received her green card.

Now we are waiting for SSN. We were told this is automatically issued if requested, and the SSN people confirmed that is true. Problem is, no one knows if this was requested or not. However, it does seem to be the standard route.

What form is this request on? Would the good people at San Fransico Immigrations have requested this without making it clear? Who can I call?

Thanks

BTW we need this for the Driver's Learning Permit - the fun never stops.

You shoud visit Social Security Office in your area and apply for SSN. Immigrants request for SSN card to be mailed to them on DS-230 but it does not work in time. I always recommend people to visit SS Office and apply instead of waiting. It will take 2-3 weeks after you apply for Social Security Card. You can use following link to download the form.

Sorry, Link is here:

http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

Thanks !

This is crazy - I called Social Security, they have good faith in the automatic system but cannot tell if the SSN was requested. So I called the port of entry, they have no idea either but suggest I call USCIS. I called them, they also have no idea but say I can contact Social Security Office. Great. Now we will likely end up with 2 SSN.

Congratulations, WolfRhan!!

OK, the request, if made, would have been on the DS-230 (Part 2) that your wife filled out and took with her to her interview. There's a little box to tick. That request is then forwarded on once she clears secondary inspection in the US.

Given that you've only been waiting 2-3 weeks, I'd hold off a little longer as they state it can take a few weeks. Once you hit the 6 week mark, then you should go in and physically apply.

Good luck

Visit your nearest SS Office. Do not talk to them on phone. Take with you SSN Application, Passport and Green Card along with your wife. They will collect the application. No way you will get two SS Numbers. Even if you receive two cards, number will be the same. I am sure you will only get one card against your new application. Do not pannic. There was no need to call so many departments. Just waste of time.

Thanks guys - I'm not really panicing but I did get a little frustrated by the beaurocratic merry-go-round.

We will just apply for drivers licence and if that comes through without SSN then the SSN can take its own sweet time coming.

Most States require SSN for driver's license.

Just for the record Tak was 100% correct.

California DMV require SSN. You could lie but that's not how I roll.

Social security office door is plastered with notices saying how the SSN is applied for on entry. If you call their 'helpline' they swear SSN is applied for on entry and they will screw you around royally if you visit the office. NOT TRUE

We went to the Social Security office armed with Passport, Green card and the application form. We got an appoinment really fast, it wasn't bad at all and the office even smelt nice, fresh with perhaps a hint of vanilla.

So the guy tappity tap tapped away on his computer, he was a bit boring (where do they find these people?) but finally he said he had completed our application and card will arrive in 2 weeks. He also said he couldn't find an existing application although he was bit evasive and perhaps not the brightest tool in the box.

So the best bet is to go to the Social Security Office.

SSN is only automatically applied for only if that box is ticked on the DS-230 Part 2, the form filled out by the immigrant and taken to the interview at the Consulate.

If that box is not ticked, then nothing happens.

Mine and my sons SSN arrived before our physical green cards, so I can verify that it does work.

It definitely does work but not all the time. My husband definitely ticked the right box (I was there, I saw him do it) and all papers were presented correctly but after waiting for 8 weeks- no card. We had to to the SS office to get his card.

quote:

Originally posted by WolfRhan:
Hi Gang,

Well we made it, my wife emigrated from China to USA 9/14 and just received her green card.

Now we are waiting for SSN. We were told this is automatically issued if requested, and the SSN people confirmed that is true. Problem is, no one knows if this was requested or not. However, it does seem to be the standard route.

What form is this request on? Would the good people at San Fransico Immigrations have requested this without making it clear? Who can I call?

Thanks

BTW we need this for the Driver's Learning Permit - the fun never stops.

Go to SS administration and apply in person with your proof of residency and permission to work.

It will be issued automatically. Just stay at home until it is mailed to you. It comes by certified mail so you must be home to sign for it.

quote:

Originally posted by federale86:
It will be issued automatically. Just stay at home until it is mailed to you. It comes by certified mail so you must be home to sign for it.

Ours didn't. Just came by regular mail.

And again, if the immigrant doesn't tick the box on the DS-230 Part 2, it's not automatic. It's also not automatic for anybody under the age of 18. In those 2 cases, you will need to go in to the SSA.

Go to SSA anyway, If a # was issued? It will be in their system and they can provide your # then!!! Instead of Maybe or Maybe not getting it in the mail.

Uscis, SSA, IRS, Etc. Do not Communicate well with each other!!!

Actually, mine came remarkably quickly by mail. We had them within a week of arriving. Took longer for them to post out my youngest's card after we'd gone in and physically applied (he was under 18).