Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

Hi All

I am flying out next Monday to start my 2 year expat in the US. There are a couple of things (most importantly my car lease) which will be pending a Social Security Number. I understand the normal process is to wait 10-14 days after arriving in the US before applying for a SSN and it can then take a further 2 weeks before my card will arrive (assuming no problems). I have also been told that I could go back to my local SS office the day after applying and they will print out some piece of paper with my number on it.

Am hoping for some helpful hints, tips or other experiences that will enable me to get my SSN ASAP.

Many thanks for any advice.

Matt

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

There is no reason to wait 10 days before applying for an SSN - go down to the local office in person as soon as you can after arriving and with any luck it shouldn't take more than a week to actually get it.

md

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

I'm not sure if you have to wait to apply.. but get it done ASAP.. just makes life that bit easier! My Hubby had to wait over 3 weeks... but don't think thats the norm! :blink:

Good luck with your move.. hope it all works out great for you :)

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

I went down the day after I got here to apply. The problem is that they had to wait for immigration to enter me into the system so I didn't actually receive my SSN for 5 weeks!:thumbdown:

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

You can apply as soon as you like, but until immigration inform them of your arrival you will not be in their system, and they can't issue a number.

The wait 10 - 14 days advice stems from that being about the time it takes to get onto the SS system and when you apply they can "order" you SSN there and then.

That advice holds good for people arriving on an immigrant visa and I make the assumption it applies also to your visa type.

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

You need to wait a week or so so that you appear on the system. Or so I've heard...

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

Matt I got mine in Austin last Sept - the advice on here so far is spot on, you dont have to wait the 10+ days but it gives the Immigration bods enough time to get you in the 'system' before applying.
Personally I waited about 10ish days, applied down the social office (not pleasant!!!) and it arrived in 5days bang on.
In regards to going back the next day to get print out - you will get a receipt on the day of application which is good enough for car leases etc - I lease a car myself.

PS: Austin office opens at 9am but get there at 8:30 latest.

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

I arrived in country on the 16th Sept last year (2007)

I was told I had to wait 2 weeks before applying at my local office (Hackensack , New Jersey) .. this is beacause it can take 10 days for you to appear on the system..

The social Security website says numbers can take 4-6 weeks to be processed..

I went to the office and applied for the number on the 5th October... they gave me a letter saying it would take 6-8 weeks for the number to come.. I asked if they could tell me what the number would be... but was told I had to checked out by Homeland Security before a number would be given

After 8 weeks I went back to the local office and asked where the number was... the rather surley lady (lady?) told me it could now take up to 12 weeks to come and that was all she could tell me....

After 12 weeks I returned to the office to be told I was still being checked out by Homeland Secutity...

I finally got my Number thru' on the 25th Jan 2008... Thats 16 (SIXTEEN) weeks I waited...

It might differ from State to State... but I nearly gave up... legally you can work while waiting for the number... but as I am a freelance the companys I wanted to work for would not use me.... so I was nearly 20 weeks not working...

I hope things are better for you...

M

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

I went the day after I arrived. However, I had a SSN from when I lived here when I was a lot younger, so they just "reactivated" that one. When my DH got his Employment authorisation, I think it took about two weeks.

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

Did that receipt have the number on it, or just the fact that you'd applied for one?

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

Hi augigi
SSN is not on your receipt - just an official stamp with dates etc on from the social admin office. As mentioned this was good enough for me to complete on my car lease (as mentioned by OP).

I daresay you could drop-in person if you were desperate for it before it arrives in the post, but I dont know if this works - and its a grim old place anyway .. :-(

I just got lucky that it took 5 days to come - some people who relo'd with me took 6 weeks and for no apparent reason.

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

Many thanks to you all for the great response and advice. One thing seems pretty consistant - there is no consistancy !!. I will go the 10-day route, turn up early and cross my fingers.

Thanks again

Matt

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

It is important to note that your SSN is processed by the office you end up going to. It is not done in a central location. The speed with which your SSN will be given to you depends on a number of factors which includes those already outlined here, the time it takes USCIS to put you into the computer when you arrive, the speed with which the local office works in processing new SSN applications. In many instances you can get certain things without an SSN just proof that you have applied for one and it is pending. This is the receipt you receive from the social security office the first time. If you go back and ask them for your SSN they will provide it to you (with the relevant ID of course) and that's it. You will also be send a social security card (well its a paper cutout really) which is yours for life - keep it in a safe place because you do not want to go about the rigmarole once again as you will need to if you need to replace it.

Make sure you take your passport, visa and fill out the form. For those of you likely to attend busy offices get there early before they open or later in the day just before they shut the doors - they have to see everyone who is lined up.

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

the whole wait 10 days thing to get in the system saves you time otherwise you have to be manually verified and that can take anything up to 6 weeks. Once you've applied it shouldn't take more than a few weeks to get the card, but you can find out your number before then.

Re: Quickest Way to get a SSN
 

we were also told to avoid the first few days of the month as thays when a lot of payments are given out and queues can be worse. also ask around as to which ssn office is most user friendly as some are akward or slow.

we went 14 days aftre arriving in october (to avoid the first few days of noveMBER) and got cards 14 days later. Husband was able to go back to office the next day after applying and get a stamped printout too.