We had exactly the same thing happen last year in MA, my wife (dependant on L1 VISA) had to go to the Social Security office to obtain a letter of denial, showing why she was denied a SSN based on the fact she could not work.
We then took the denial letter to the DMV and got the license. We actually transferred our licenses today after moving to PA and used the same letter again with no problem.
Most of the time it's the luck of the draw at the DMV...today I had a normal civilised person...my wife had an aresole who spoke to her like a piece of shit, which was annoying me to the brink of losing my temper !!

Our kids have never needed SSN numbers for school. The other problem we have had with the lack of SSN for my wife, is that I cannot get life insurance for her (except for employers insurance on her). I do wonder sometimes how the system works in that you cannot get life insurance without the number.

My advise is to get the denial letter and try that. I will agree though most companies are blissfully unaware of the treatment of foreigners in some institutions here. Thankfully my company pay for a good immigration attorney who I use often.

GOOD LUCK

thankyou cbone

i have read your reply with interest!!!

i was planning to buy a house either build/buy etc? before the shocks

so if i do this how would i insure the mortgage in joint names?

i tell you what the USA govenment bodies really need to reconsider how they deal with immigrants i was planning to invest in our future here but i am forced to reconsider my position it makes me laugh that a person who wins a green card on the lottery would have none of this hassle and yet i am prepared to invest in a house a considerable ammount of money and have got here due to my qualifications and expertise?

i am still looking for flights home?

sadly

regards

Markb

Do you really mean 'insure'? Are you talking about the evil (optional) PMI?

Anyway, my hunch is that you wouldn't want any aspect of the mortgage in both names unless she has an income. Now if you want to put the house in both names, that's easier - buy it under your name and file a 'quit claim' at closing to reassign it to both of you. You'll need to investigate what this means carefully, as I don't know what issues (tax/legal) would arise should full ownership transfer to her.