Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes

By Erika Presson
Last Updated: July 7, 2015

There are 2 Types of Social Security Cards that are applicable to a K1 Visa Holder:

1. “Valid only with DHS Work Authorization”

   This is given to K1 Visa Holders if they have applied for a Social Security Number / SSN before or right after marriage – whether it’s under their maiden name or married name, with or without the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) / Work Permit.

   Obviously, you cannot use this Social Security Card for employment if you didn’t apply for EAD in the first place.

   If you were issued a Social Security Card under your maiden name, you can change your SS Card to your married name when you receive your EAD.

   You can read more about this here: How to get your Social Security Number (SSN) with a K1 Visa »

2. Non-restricted Social Security Card

   This is given to K1 Visa Holders who have undergone the process of Adjustment of Status (AOS) and has been approved to become a Permanent Resident. As evidence of this Permanent Residency, we all are given the I-551 Permanent Resident / Green Card.

   This Social Security Card will bear no other marks on the top part, and will only indicate your Social Security Number, Name, and Signature Line.

Why do we need to lift the conditions / restrictions on the Social Security Card?

When you need to apply for a US Credit Card to build your credit score, or apply for Insurances, or other paperwork that requires a Social Security Card to be submitted/presented, some applications would require a non-restricted card.

It is important to note that when your Immigration Status changes from non-immigrant (K1 Visa) to Permanent Resident (AOS Approval / Green Card recipient), that your Social Security Card’s restrictions can be lifted.

Updating your Name and Lifting Restrictions on your Social Security Card

To illustrate, I have here the Social Security Card that I received right after getting married. It was in my maiden name since I wasn’t allowed to use my married name, even if I had my Marriage Certificate with me. The SSA Employee said that it should exactly match the one on my I-94 and that I can go back and change it after I already have my EAD / Work Permit.

The Social Security Card with “Valid For Work Only With DHS Authorization” I received after we got married. This was under my Maiden Name exactly as how it was on my I-94. | Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes | ©2015 – onwards, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)

So I did go back months later to have my married name reflected on my Social Security Card. You will also notice that my Social Security Card still has the mark “Valid For Work Only With DHS Authorization”. The EAD Card, doesn’t exactly prove Permanent Residence. It is proof of Legal Presence, because you are allowed to work in the US, but the Green Card is needed to lift the conditions on the card.

The Social Security Card with “Valid For Work Only With DHS Authorization” I received after I got my EAD / Work Permit. This was under my Married Name exactly as how it was on EAD/AP Combo Card. | Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes | ©2015 – onwards, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)

I only went back to the SSA Office to have the conditions lifted on my card just recently because I’ve only remembered it about a few months ago, when we tried to apply for a Joint Credit Card. The banker was looking for my “unrestricted” card. I’ve only gotten the chance to have the conditions lifted on my Social Security Card recently because I work during weekdays.

The “Unrestricted” Social Security Card I received after I showing my Permanent Resident Card / Green Card. | Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes | ©2015 – onwards, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)

At first, when I showed up at the SSA Office and talked to the SSA Employee, she said my Social Security Card was ok, and I should be able to use it WITH my Green Card. But I told her, I’ve read their policy manual online and showed her the printed copies with highlights that I’m due to update my card when I change my Immigration Status, now that I am a Permanent Resident.

I gave her the following:

• Old Social Security Cards (for their reference and shredding)
• My I-551 Permanent Residenct Card / Green Card
• Printed copy of the SSA Policy Manual highlighting the “Change in Alien Status” information and requirements needed to lift conditions on the Social Security Card.

SSA Resources

Just in case you need to lift the conditions on your Social Security Card, print the documents that I will mention below and bring it with you on your trip to the SSA Office.

These were the resources I found on the Social Security Administration website. Somehow, I cannot link it directly from here.

• First, you’d have to go to http://www.ssa.gov and search for “Change in Alien Status”.
  

  Search for “Change in Alien Status” under “Policy Manual” | Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes | ©2015 – onwards, Social Security Administration, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)

• Next, make sure that you are under “Policy Manual” and click on the link saying, “RM 10211.510 Actions Required When an Alien’s Status Changes”.
• Print the entire page.
  

  SSA RM 10211.510 – Actions Required when an Alien’s Status Changes | Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes | ©2015 – onwards, Social Security Administration, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)

• Scroll down to the Letter C, number 1 “Alien is now allowed to work”, letter c “Legend on SSN card based on evidence of employment authorization”
  

  SSA RM 10211.510 – Actions Required when an Alien’s Status Changes | Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes | ©2015 – onwards, Social Security Administration, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)

• Click on “RM 10211.025, for LPR evidence”.
• Print the entire page.
  

  SSA RM 10211.025 – Evidence of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status for an SSN Card | Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes | ©2015 – onwards, Social Security Administration, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)

• Highlight the necessary lines and bring this document with you.
  

  SSA RM 10211.025 – Evidence of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status for an SSN Card | Update your Social Security Card when your Status Changes | ©2015 – onwards, Social Security Administration, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)

• REMINDER: Only show these documents if they refuse to lift the conditions on your Social Security Card.

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