Lucybell33

I've got an old SSN card from way back when I was 19 (in 1991) and worked in the US for 3 months as part of a student exchange programme. It's in my maiden name, but would it still be valid for when we move over next July? I'm thinking it might make opening a bank account etc easier if we had at least one SSN in advance!

Pulaski

Your SSN is valid for life, pretty much no matter what you do in your life, marry, divorce, change your name, leave the country, give up your permanent resident status, return decades later, become a citizen, etc., your SSN remains the same.

In fact it is virtually impossible to change your SSN even if you wanted to, and people who have been victims of identity fraud have the devil's own job to get a new SSN.

Lucybell33

Marvellous - thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Can't believe I found the card after all these years - it was tucked into an old wallet!

Now all I'll have to do is get them to change the name, but I've checked on that and it looks straight-forward enough.

SWD

Hi,

I worked in Colorado for a year or two back in 2000 and of course had a social security number. I'm moving back to Colorado early next year as it turns out and I wondered if I can/should use the same SSN that was issued to me all those years ago or if I should apply for a new one? My new work permit will be based on my L2 visa which is based on my husbands L1 visa.

Thanks

SWD

This has been incredibly useful as I still have my SSN from 13 years ago! I'm sure it will make things a lot easier when applying for bank accounts etc.

Thanks!

Lucybell33

I see you saw my thread on the same topic, so we're both covered!

I'll also be on an L2 as it's my husband being transferred on an L1. Exciting/terrifying times!

SWD

Where abouts are you moving to and when?
Great opportunity to go back over. I loved my time over there and am pleased that we've been given the opportunity to relive it older and wiser!

Lucybell33

We're heading over to Silicon Valley next July, so planning on moving to the (slightly less hideously expensive) east bay area. My student exchange was in Maryland, so a whole world away. I did date a guy from and visited Colorado - it's a beautiful part of the country!

Hotscot

With some exceptions your SSN is with you for life.

Sue

As we have two current threads running on the same subject I have merged them.

irb

We live in Florida in winter on 6 month I94 visa. Post 911 they changed to only renewing our driving license for length of our I94. The first year of the new system we had to provide proof of residence ( our houses taxes bill and car insurance) and the original of our SS card, passport & I94 and expired FL license. Couldn't find our original SS card and asked for a copy. We were told they would no longer replace the SS card on just our I94, only if we had green card or other permanent resident visa. If we still had our original card we could continue using it but they wouldn't issue a duplicate. We searched high and low and eventually found them so are able to use them for renewal of driving license. We now keep them in a very secure place. We only have to take an eyesight test each year. We also have to pay a late fee each time.

IlAlfie

I had an SSN from 1991 (I no longer know where the card is, I kept it for year and years but eventually I lost it). I'm about to apply for an SSN on my L-2. Do you think they'll have a record of it? Will it hold up the SSN if I can't provide the old number?

Pulaski

An SSN is for life, you will get the old one back. You should make sure that you apply for a replacement card, and not a new number, because any SS credits you paid in before are still there, counting towards your retirement SS payments.

IlAlfie

I'm pretty sure they gave me something back when I left (can't remember what it was, thought it was my SSN contributions). I was a student and only in the US for 4 months. It's the same form anyway so I'll just fill in the additional boxes. But do you think they'll find a record of it? I'm skeptical....

Noorah101

Yes, there will be a record of your social security number.

You didn't get anything back from SS when you left the USA before.

Rene