I'm going to have a mini-vent here! I am so frustrated with my local SS office. We received ds3's Certificate of Citizenship in the mail and I promptly took it down to our social security office to apply for his number. They looked at the forms, asked me if he was adopted, and after some conferring in the back of the office....said they needed to see the adoption decree and birth certificate. It was closing time that day, and while I was surprised to need to show them that information, I told them I would be back with the additional documents.Today we went back there. We waited 45 minutes, but it was okay.. I brought ds3 his lunch. When I finally get to the counter and hand her all the forms, she looks like what I have given her is Russian or something. (Okay, it is in Russian, with the translation behind it).... all given to me by the US Embassy mind you. She leaves her window for awhile to confer with someone after I try to tell her that this is what the US Embassy gave me. Then she comes back with I am assuming her supervisor and they are looking at the Certificate of Citizenship as if they have never seen one before. They try to tell me that what they usually see is the Certificate of Naturalization and that I need to bring his passport in as well. What??? Come on people! I was just here two days ago, did you not think to tell me that then? It's not like my three boys and I like coming and waiting for an hour or so each time at your office!
I explained to them that this form *should* be all they need. They kept trying to understand if I was given it at immigration when we entered the States. I explained again how USCIS takes all our information upon entering the States and mails the Certificate of Citizenship. I also told them that because he is legally adopted by us, as soon as his feet touch American soil he is a US Citizen. They told me "No that's not true... "
Unh- unh!! No ma'am I do believe you are incorrect!! Interview over, there was nothing they could do.... I have to bring back his passport, which is on it's way to the Russian consulate so he can be registered, according to the Russian law. It won't be back for about a month. UGH! (Picture my head hitting a wall a few times).
So, any of you Russian AP's out there... what did you need to get a Social Security card? I am very curious.... (and still very frustrated!)
6 comments:
Jackie, I've heard about this happening so many times. Is there another SS office you can go to? I would even if it means driving further. We took Lexi's paperwork to our local SS office along with the COC and her birth certificate and adoption certificate. It took ten minutes and the guy said "You'll have her card in about 10 days. If you need the number sooner for taxes, come back in a few days and I'll be able to tell you what it is."
Lexi's Certificate of Citizenship says she became a citizen on December 10, 2008 - a.k.a. the day she arrived in America!!!
In the Russian Adoption Handbook is says "Do not try to argue with these people. It is like talking to an orange.... find another office where the IQ is above room temperature or wait until the person you spoke with is not there."
Good Luck!
When I went to the SS office to get new cards after our adoption was finalized, it was the most infuriating thing I had to do.
I had checked the laws and regulations and knew that they could receive newly issued numbers even though they both did have original SS numbers issued at birth. The woman there tried to tell me that if they knew they were adopted, they couldn't receive new numbers; they had to keep their originals. I thought I was going to absolutely lose it.
This was on our second attempt as the first time, they told me I didn't have the correct documents.
I had copies of the regulations printed from the SS website and asked to speak to her supervisor. I had to wait a long time and while waiting I had rehearsed a speech that I was *so* ready to give when they came back. It had a lot to do with 'official grievance' and 'federal supervisors' ;)
When she did come back, she reluctantly filled out the paperwork to issue the new numbers.
I was really glad, but by that time, I was so aggravated that all I wanted to do was get out of there.
And, btw, I had the boys who were 3 and 4 and dd who was just a few months old with me the entire time. I totally understand trying to keep little ones occupied while there!
Kim- LOL! That is so funny about the adoption handbook. I think we will try to use another office in the meantime, with Chris coming along too. (He's as frustrated as me!)
Karen- I am getting ready to print the regulations myself.... thy obviously don't know them! I can just see you doing that!
We got it for Lana before we received her Certificate of Citizenship. Our first week home we took her Russian passport up there and that was all we needed. We have her certificate now and will take it back in so they can update her records to show she is a US citizen.
Here is the webpage on the SS site that tells you what you need, maybe print that and take it with you.
http://www.ssa.gov/immigration/children.htm
Sorry to hear about your troubles. I didn't get any trouble from the SS office. I also took our COC, birth certificate, and adoption certificate which was all I needed. Sorry to hear that you will have to make another trip to the SS office.
I can't remember what we did but it was sooooo easy! I'm so sorry you're going through so much trouble - it should be the easy part! I agree with everyone else... go to another office! :-) Hope you're having a great weekend!
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