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I was on here a few weeks ago and got some of this cleared up. There's a reason why I don't work in government! The forms kill me!

To reiterate: I just married my fiancee back on August 14th whom I brought here on May 23rd. Hence, we conformed with the requirements to get married within the 90-day limit (i.e. before August 23rd).

We are located here in Boston and we went into the INS office on August 21rst with the marriage certificate in hand as well as her visa [I-94/Arrival] to register the fact that she is now legitimate. The "hoaky" INS officer drilled us to get an I-485 and its associated 16+ documents required for a change in status before August 23rd. Two days later. That's when I posted my previous note asking if this is true and you were kind enough to suggest I contact my congressman. Indeed, I contacted Senator Kennedy's office and, after being on hold for 45-minutes, spoke with an aide who handles nothing but documents. She stated that this is not true! That we can file the I-485 whenever we're ready and to file the I-485 and I-765 [Work Permit] when we are ready.

Incidentally, the aide also told us that my fiancee should have been given a working permit number when she arrived here at Logan airport. Apparently, its only good for the 90-day time-period. Anyone know anything about this?

Now, not wanting to be on-hold for another 60-minutes for the aide in the senator's office, I wanted to know if anyone is familiar with the A#? Also, how doe she get an SSN?

THX!

... in response to FIANCEE VISA - ALIEN [A#]?, posted by f12phantom on Aug 29, 2002

We didn't recieve our A# until after we filed our I-485. The INS told us to write 'pending' when asked for it.
We also heard that some of the SS offices have different requirements. For our office they required the work permit card and would only issue a tax ID # w/o one.

... in response to here is how it went for us, posted by Stan B on Aug 29, 2002

Irina's SS card has the following statement printed on it.

"Valid for work only with INS authorization."

We haven't applied for an EAD or any work items from the INS.  Working is not a priority right now.

For those fiancees that want to work, the SSN, EAD, etc is a totally different game.

... in response to Re: here is how it went for us, posted by davet on Aug 29, 2002

My wife's card says the same thing and they still wouldn't give her the card w/o the EAD card. They still won't give one to my daughter and we had to get her a tax ID #.
Like I said, every region has their own policies and what 1 office does might be different than another.

... in response to FIANCEE VISA - ALIEN [A#]?, posted by f12phantom on Aug 29, 2002

Alien # or A#

On your 2nd NOA (notice of action) -- Form I-797 -- which is the approval form from the INS for your K-1 visa, there is a box labelled "Beneficiary".  In the box should be the name of your fiancee.  Above her name should be a number starting with "A" and having 8 digits following the "A".  (Example = A99 999 999).  That is the Alien Registration Number.

This number was NOT listed on the 1st NOA -- which is the notice of receipt that the INS sends to you when it receives your I-129F (K-1) application.

On the passport.  The number was hand written on the I-94 form above the fiancee's name.  The I-94 form is a card that is stapled in the passport of your fiancee.

This is the same info I gave before but I wanted to make it clear to everyone where the number was located on the various forms.  My hope is that the location is similar no matter what INS service center processed your application or which POE your fiancee entered the US.

Dave

... in response to FIANCEE VISA - ALIEN [A#]?, posted by f12phantom on Aug 29, 2002

To apply for a Social Security number and card, you need to complete Form SS-5 which is available for download at http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html. Or you can obtain Form SS-5 by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. These services are free.

You will also need to submit at least two documents as evidence of your age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.

Age: We prefer to see your birth certificate. However, we can accept other documents, such as a religious record made before you were 3 months old. If you were born outside the U.S., we can accept your passport.

Identity: We must see a document in the name you want shown on the card. The identity document must be of recent issuance so that we can determine your continued existence. We prefer to see a document with a photograph. However, we can generally accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify you (e.g., your name as well as your age, date of birth, or parents’ names). We cannot accept a birth certificate or hospital birth record as evidence of identity. Some documents that we can accept as proof of identitiy are:

Driver's license
Marriage or divorce record
Military records
Employer ID card
Adoption record
Life insurance policy
Passport
Health Insurance card (not a Medicare card)
School ID card

U.S. Citizenship: We can accept most documents that show you were born in the U.S. If you are a U.S. citizen born outside the U.S., show us a U.S. consular report of birth, a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Certificate of Naturalization.

Alien Status: We need to see an unexpired document issued to you by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), such as Form I-551, I-94, I-688B, or I-766. We CANNOT accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., we can issue you a Social Security card if you are lawfully here and need the number for a valid nonwork reason. Your card will be marked to show you cannot work. If you do work, we will notify INS.

Effective March 1, 2002, the Social Security Administration will no longer assign Social Security Numbers when the sole reason for needing an SSN is to comply with a State statute that requires an SSN for issuance of a driver's license.

SSA will continue to issue SSNs to aliens who are not otherwise eligible for SSNs for the following nonwork purposes:

a Federal statute or regulation requires that the alien provide his/her SSN to get the particular benefit or service; or
a State or local law requires the alien to provide his/her SSN to get general assistance benefits to which the alien has established entitlement.

If you don't have permission to work, but still need a number for one of the reasons mentioned above, you must provide a statement on letterhead stationery from the government agency that is requiring you to provide an SSN. The letter must—

specifically identify you as the applicant;
cite the law requiring you to have a Social Security number; and
indicate that you meet all the agency's requirements to get the benefit or service except for having an SSN.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies of documents. We need original documents or copies certified by the custodian of the record. Notarized copies are also not acceptable.

Mail or bring the application and evidence in person to your local Social Security office. You can find that office at: http://www.ssa.gov/locator/. Your documents will be returned to you.

You should receive your card within two weeks of the date we have all the information we need to process your request. If you have not received your card within this time frame, contact the Social Security office where you filed the application and they will investigate to see why it is being delayed.

... in response to FIANCEE VISA - ALIEN [A#]?, posted by f12phantom on Aug 29, 2002

The A# -- alien registration number -- is on the approval papers you got from the INS.  It is also probably written on the visa/passport when your fiancee got the I-94 form stapled in her passport.

SSN.  Go to the Social Security web site and download the application form for a SSN.  Take the form and associated paperwork (outlined on the web site) to your local social security office.  You should get a SSN in a week to 10 days later after filing the form with the local office.

Having said the above, you may have a small problem.  The SS office may want to see an unexpired visa.  You won't have one as your fiancee's expired last Friday -- August 23.  The SS office therefore may refuse to process your paperwork.  I hope not but they may follow their stated rules.

Dave

... in response to Re: FIANCEE VISA - ALIEN [A#]?, posted by davet on Aug 29, 2002

Dave - thank you for your assistance!