POMS Reference

RM 10211: Alien Evidence for an SSN

TN 27 (12-16)

A. Entering the legal name for an F-1 or M-1 student

To enter the student’s name in the Enumeration system, follow RM 10205.125.

B. Legal name for an F-1 or M-1 student

For Enumeration purposes, the “SURNAME/PRIMARY NAME” and “GIVEN NAME” are the legal name for an F-1 and M-1 student.

  • “SURNAME/PRIMARY NAME”

  • “GIVEN NAME”

NOTE: Other U.S. government agencies, such as DHS, DoS and foreign government agencies may use different naming conventions from SSA’s.

C. Documents to use for F-1 or M-1 Student’s legal name

A student with F-1 or M-1 classes of admissions may have several documents that contain their name. Follow the chart below to determine the document to use for legal name purposes:

If a student (F-1 or M-1) submits a:

Then the legal name is:

F-1/M-1 with EAD, I-20, I-94, and foreign passport

Name on EAD is legal name.

F-1/M-1 with Form I-20, I-94, and foreign passport

Name on the Form I-20 is the legal name, as long as name on the I-20 matches the name on the foreign passport.

F-1/M-1 with legal name change document, EAD, I-20, I-94, and foreign passport

Name on the legal name change document is legal name.

For additional information on the legal name policy and processing name changes, see RM 10212.001B. For information on processing name corrections, see RM 10212.150.

D. Entering the date of birth for the F-1 and M-1 students

Enter the date of birth shown on the document having highest priority as evidence of age. For additional information on evidence of age, see RM 10210.250.

E. Reference

RM 10212.001 Defining the Legal Name for an SSN