Oath done, now wait for new SocialSecurity before passport?

[fromdenmark]

My girlfriend just got out of her Oath Ceremony, and is now a US Citizen (YAIH!!!). They told her that she has to go get a new Social Security ID after (or is it within) 30 days. So... does that sound right? And does that mean that she has to wait until after that to apply for a passport? Because she's moving to Denmark as soon as she gets her passport, and the sooner the better

[cafeconleche]

She can apply for a passport immediately. She should then go to a SSA office and update her status with them. If she has a card that states she can only work with authorisation (a restricted card), she ought to ask for a new card without the restriction. Otherwise, she can keep the same card.

[fromdenmark]

Perfect! Thank you... again

[fromdenmark]

How important is it that she updates her Social Security status before leaving? She's supposed to leave on Monday and stay here in Europe for a few years, but at the SS office they said her passport wasn't enough to update her status, because she had her last name changed back to her original last name, so they need the name change document too, and she still hasn't gotten those documents back. Would it be bad if she just left and did all that when she comes back to the US in a few years?

[mickey_mouse]

How important is it that she updates her Social Security status before leaving? She's supposed to leave on Monday and stay here in Europe for a few years, but at the SS office they said her passport wasn't enough to update her status, because she had her last name changed back to her original last name, so they need the name change document too, and she still hasn't gotten those documents back. Would it be bad if she just left and did all that when she comes back to the US in a few years?

It doesn't matter. If she had a SS # *before* becoming a citizen, that # is still hers. The only thing that would change is that she would get a new card without the "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" legend - so, no harm at all in waiting until she comes back.

[fromdenmark]

It doesn't matter. If she had a SS # *before* becoming a citizen, that # is still hers. The only thing that would change is that she would get a new card without the "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" legend - so, no harm at all in waiting until she comes back.

Awesome. She's going to try and make it on Monday anyway, but great that it will be okay if she doesn't. Thank you!

[mickey_mouse]

Awesome. She's going to try and make it on Monday anyway, but great that it will be okay if she doesn't. Thank you!

She can certainly apply for a new card, presenting all the required evidence (US passport, court order/other documents for legal name change, etc) - and when filing the SS-5 form, use the address of a friend that would send her the card once it arrives.

But again - considering her plan is to move back to Europe for an undeterminated # of years, there should be no issues with her not applying for a new card. Of course, assuming she will not apply for any SS benefits in the meantime.

[fromdenmark]

She can certainly apply for a new card, presenting all the required evidence (US passport, court order/other documents for legal name change, etc) - and when filing the SS-5 form, use the address of a friend that would send her the card once it arrives.

But again - considering her plan is to move back to Europe for an undeterminated # of years, there should be no issues with her not applying for a new card. Of course, assuming she will not apply for any SS benefits in the meantime.

That sounds great. We already booked a ticket for her on Monday, but she will try and go there in the early morning, but if the line is long or something, she will just postpone it. Thank you And no she won't be applying for any benefits