A very common belief among people filing for immigration is that when they get their driver’s license or Social Security number, they it gives their status some kind of legalization. For that reason, many people are in a hurry to obtain them. More often than not, however, when people are in too much of a hurry to get a driver’s license or Social Security number, there could be repercussions down the road, and it could land the filer in trouble. For this reason, it’s very important to know exactly when to file for these things. Before doing anything, though, it’s always a good idea to gather all your paperwork and make sure that you have it all in order. Double, and even triple, check all the information on the forms. The data on all of the forms has to be 100% correct, or it could cause trouble for you. Also, always make sure you bring all your paperwork with you whenever you meet with an immigration official. A few things to remember when applying for a Social Security number or driver’s license: Make sure you don’t rush. You need to wait at least 10 days before you start filing this paperwork, so that the Government databases can be updated with all your information. Many times, immigrants don’t know if they are even eligible for a Social Security number or driver’s license. Read up on all the eligibility forms before applying. Before you apply for either of these 2 things, ensure that you talked with your RO/ARO or DSO, and ask them if your record with SEVIS is active. It will need to be if you want your application to be accepted. Use the time while you’re waiting to check up on all this information. That way, when the 10 day waiting period is up, not only are you familiar with the filing process, but you’re aware whether you qualify for it or not.