Changing names - when and how.

[anhes 1]

My fiancé and I are getting married, then we're applying for the CR-1 Visa since this process will fit our plans better. I am going to take his last name, but I'm keeping mine as well, so it'll be "my last name"-"his last name", simple stuff. Changing my name in Norway is really simple, but I can't do it and gather the new papers in time for my next visit, so I'll probably have to sign the marriage licence with my maiden name and then when I get home, file the I-130 with my maiden name as well, and then legally change my name in Norway.

- Is this going to be a problem since the I-130 will be with my old name (my new one will be the same one but with his last name attached)?
- Should I wait to legally change my name until the visa is approved? And if I do, will changing my name in Norway be sufficient or will I have to notify the US government/do anything else as well?
- Should I change my name first, get my new passport and everything, and then apply for the I-130?

There are so many options, and we want to file the I-130 as soon as we have the opportunity, but we also want it to be somewhat a smooth ride and not complicate it ourselves (which we think the name changing business will if we don't do it right), so what is the smarter choice? Am I missing any information I should know about? If so, please educate me. I might be totally wrong, my mind is really cluttered with all kinds of information right now.

Thank you in advance, and feel free to ask if this was confusing or if I left anything out.

[Ryan H 3,810]

- Is this going to be a problem since the I-130 will be with my old name (my new one will be the same one but with his last name attached)?

- Should I wait to legally change my name until the visa is approved? And if I do, will changing my name in Norway be sufficient or will I have to notify the US government/do anything else as well?

- Should I change my name first, get my new passport and everything, and then apply for the I-130?

Answers:

• This is a non-issue; therefore, it will not cause any problems.
• Timing is up to you, changing your name is a personal choice and has no bearing on the immigration process. You will probably have to pay applicable fees to the applicable authority to update your documents (e.g. drivers license).
• Again, timing is up to you as it is irrelevant to the immigration process. Also, the I-130 is not something you apply for, it's a petition form that is filed.

[anhes 1]

Answers:

• This is a non-issue; therefore, it will not cause any problems.
• Timing is up to you, changing your name is a personal choice and has no bearing on the immigration process. You will probably have to pay applicable fees to the applicable authority to update your documents (e.g. drivers license).
• Again, timing is up to you as it is irrelevant to the immigration process. Also, the I-130 is not something you apply for, it's a petition form that is filed.

Thank you so much for the answers!

As for the I-130 - that was more of a slip on my end because of the language barrier.