Finley

Greetings,

I arrived in the US on a K1 marriage visa. We got married in July 2010.

I don't have my social security number yet. I never applied for one.

My two year green card expires in February 2013. On the application form for the green card renewal it's asking for a social security number, I think.

Do I need one? Or can I leave it blank when it comes to filling out that form?

cheers

ian-mstm

If you're talking about form I-751, you're not actually renewing your GC... you are filing to have the conditions removed. If you are filing any form other than the I-751... you have the wrong form.


You have no obligation to ever get a SSN if you don't want one. However it begs the question - how on earth have you managed for almost 2 years without one? What did you use for a SSN when you and your wife filed joint tax returns? What did you use for a SSN when you got a driver's license. How on earth have you ever been paid without one?

Ian

Finley

Ian, thanks for the replies.

The year is 2012. Not everyone needs a job where a SSN is required. People can work from home these days, make a living online, or just not work. Whatever suits them.

Not everyone needs a driving license because not everyone wants or feels the need to drive. Alternatives are: bicycles and good old fashioned walking.

sir_eccles

And then they report that money they make to the IRS, right?

jeffreyhy

Thing is, a SSN is required for working from home or making a living on line.

Remember, Al Capone wasn't jailed for his gangster activities and all the people he had killed - he was jailed for income tax evasion.

Regards, JEff

Noorah101

Unless you fall under the "just not work" category, how are you able to report your earnings on your tax return, without a SSN?

Rene

Finley

No I haven't been working. So no, no tax returns. Been living with the in-laws and using my savings for the time being. is this a problem?

jeffreyhy

You'll have to ask your in-laws.

Regards, JEff

ian-mstm

Nope... no problem! It's just a bit unusual is all. When you're done saving and you want to purchase a home (because I'm guessing that you're not going to want to live with your in-laws forever... although I could be wrong - you might be independently wealthy for all I know), you're likely going to pay a higher interest rate than most because you won't have a credit history as a result of not having a SSN. Just something to consider.

Anyway, it's your own business! Good luck to you!

Ian

Noorah101

No problem at all, you're lucky.

Edit to add: Not being nosey, but does your USC spouse work? Does he/she file a tax return? If filing "married filing joint" on taxes, your SSN is required. If the USC spouse is filing "married filing separately", you should look into how the "married filing joint" will save you some money...even if you're not working.

Rene

Finley

Thanks Jeff and Ian and Noorah, I appreciate your input.

Basically me and my wife are still relatively young and haven't really been looking to "settle down" (in the traditional sense) just yet. Staying with her parents is not ideal and by no means permanent, but it allows us more freedom at this point in our lives. We've been coming and going, traveling around the US, doing road trips etc... without having the added stress of keeping up with rent/mortgage payments, babies...etc.. No doubt that will come along one day, but just not yet.

In the meantime, I am going to fill out the form for the SSN and get that done. Might as well just do it and get it out the way.

thanks again

jeffreyhy

Sounds like you have an interesting life, best wishes to you.

Yes, good idea to go ahead and get the SSN. It's easy enough, and then you'll have it whenever it might come in handy.

Regards, JEff