Social security number
Nov 27th 2017, 3:30 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Social security number
Good luck, I'm sure it'll be a pleasant experience. 
Nov 28th 2017, 2:58 pm
#18
UK->US
Joined: May 2017
Location: SE TX
Posts: 64
Re: Social security number
They checked the visa in my passport and searched their system for an open application - there wasn’t one. The lady who saw me didn’t have any familiarity with the immigration process and kept asking about how the application was submitted (I explained multiple times that it was automated by checking the box to apply on the DS-260).
I filled in a new application and have now been told that I should receive a number within 2 weeks (7-10 working days).
Nov 28th 2017, 3:33 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Social security number
Just finished at the SSA.
They checked the visa in my passport and searched their system for an open application - there wasn’t one. The lady who saw me didn’t have any familiarity with the immigration process and kept asking about how the application was submitted (I explained multiple times that it was automated by checking the box to apply on the DS-260).
I filled in a new application and have now been told that I should receive a number within 2 weeks (7-10 working days).
They checked the visa in my passport and searched their system for an open application - there wasn’t one. The lady who saw me didn’t have any familiarity with the immigration process and kept asking about how the application was submitted (I explained multiple times that it was automated by checking the box to apply on the DS-260).
I filled in a new application and have now been told that I should receive a number within 2 weeks (7-10 working days).
Sounds like a standard visit to the SSA.
Most people on here have the experience that the staff there are very unfamiliar with immigration. It's also the same at other federal branches such as the DMV etc. If you're an immigrant it seems to baffle them.
Nov 28th 2017, 9:08 pm
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 197
Re: Social security number
Just finished at the SSA.
They checked the visa in my passport and searched their system for an open application - there wasn’t one. The lady who saw me didn’t have any familiarity with the immigration process and kept asking about how the application was submitted (I explained multiple times that it was automated by checking the box to apply on the DS-260).
I filled in a new application and have now been told that I should receive a number within 2 weeks (7-10 working days).
They checked the visa in my passport and searched their system for an open application - there wasn’t one. The lady who saw me didn’t have any familiarity with the immigration process and kept asking about how the application was submitted (I explained multiple times that it was automated by checking the box to apply on the DS-260).
I filled in a new application and have now been told that I should receive a number within 2 weeks (7-10 working days).
Maybe our DS-260's got processed by the same person.
Nov 29th 2017, 6:12 pm
#21
UK->US
Joined: May 2017
Location: SE TX
Posts: 64
Re: Social security number
To add insult to injury (although I am obviously very pleased), my green card just arrived in the mail.
I was told the SSN would arrive within 3 weeks, but the green card might take months - it seems these timelines may be swapped!
I was told the SSN would arrive within 3 weeks, but the green card might take months - it seems these timelines may be swapped!
Dec 1st 2017, 6:21 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 64
Re: Social security number
It sounds like I have been one of the lucky ones: I arrived into the States on November 17th and my SS arrived in the mail on November 29th!
I'm hoping that the green card arrives just as promptly!
I'm hoping that the green card arrives just as promptly!
Dec 1st 2017, 8:09 pm
#23
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Harrisburg, PA (formerly Somerset, UK)
Posts: 538
Re: Social security number
I also haven't received my SSN - I arrived in the States two weeks ago today.
I called the field office today just out of interest, as not having an SSN is proving to be a stumbling block for me when making job applications (a lot of websites won't let you process an application without one), and it's a good job I did - they had no record of me in their systems whatsoever. Nothing pending, nothing sent, no application ever made (although I, too, ticked the 'Please process me a SSN' box on the DS-260) - nothing. I have been advised to go into the office in person with all my paperwork to start the application from scratch, so I shall do that next week.
Reassured to hear other people say that they've headed to the office in person and been told the SSN would arrive in a couple of weeks - not being able to work is already getting dull! The lady on the phone told me that "the paperwork says they take a couple of weeks, but people usually get their SSN in a couple of days", so fingers crossed that might be close to accurate.
Good luck, everyone!
I called the field office today just out of interest, as not having an SSN is proving to be a stumbling block for me when making job applications (a lot of websites won't let you process an application without one), and it's a good job I did - they had no record of me in their systems whatsoever. Nothing pending, nothing sent, no application ever made (although I, too, ticked the 'Please process me a SSN' box on the DS-260) - nothing. I have been advised to go into the office in person with all my paperwork to start the application from scratch, so I shall do that next week.
Reassured to hear other people say that they've headed to the office in person and been told the SSN would arrive in a couple of weeks - not being able to work is already getting dull! The lady on the phone told me that "the paperwork says they take a couple of weeks, but people usually get their SSN in a couple of days", so fingers crossed that might be close to accurate.
Good luck, everyone!
Dec 4th 2017, 6:55 pm
#24
UK->US
Joined: May 2017
Location: SE TX
Posts: 64
Re: Social security number
Quick update - I've now received my SSN, less than a week after visiting the SSA office! 
Dec 5th 2017, 10:33 pm
#28
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Harrisburg, PA (formerly Somerset, UK)
Posts: 538
Re: Social security number
Jumping on the bandwagon - I went to the SSA office today to request my SSN. The lady looked at my visa, checked a few basic details (parents' names, my address and phone number), tapped a few things onto her computer, took a copy of my marriage certificate so that she could process the SSN in my married name (this will therefore differ from the name on my green card, which is in my maiden name, but the lady seemed to think it would be enough for me to provide my marriage certificate if/whenever necessary when providing ID, and empathised with my desire to use my married name if/where possible), and then told me I'd likely receive my SSN in the mail within the next couple of weeks.
Dec 5th 2017, 11:33 pm
#29
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,390
Re: Social security number
Nice going! 
Dec 8th 2017, 6:14 pm
#30
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 221
Re: Social security number
Just an update - went to SS and my SS number was never applied for so that application form I filled out didn't mean anything.
However I applied and verbally got my SS number two days later and the card arrived a few days after that.
However I applied and verbally got my SS number two days later and the card arrived a few days after that.