Help With Family Name On Forms

[JayMain626 21]

Hello vj

I appreciate im probably not the first person to ask this but I have been reading several differant things as I have been looking into this issue.

My wife is confused about which name to use on the i-130 and G-325 form I know that she has to state her maiden name on the I-130 but not on the G-325. On our marraige cert it does not state her new name but she did sign it with her new surname. She had not yet changed her passport drivers licence and so on with the state. So which name should we use her maiden name or my name any advice would be appreciated

Many thanks Jamie

[Stressed Out 81]

She should be able to prove she has a new surname somehow. Why isn't it on the marriage certificate? And in many governments (like in Germany) there's a second "change of name" certificate that accompanies the marriage certificate. She wouldn't be able to change the name on her passport/license until she has a document to show a name change in the first place.

[JayMain626 21]

She should be able to prove she has a new surname somehow. Why isn't it on the marriage certificate? And in many governments (like in Germany) there's a second "change of name" certificate that accompanies the marriage certificate. She wouldn't be able to change the name on her passport/license until she has a document to show a name change in the first place.

The marragige certificates in Michigan do not state the new name on them.

[Stressed Out 81]

Weird, I've yet to see a marriage certificate that doesn't formally state the new surname of the bride. Perhaps you could request a formal document showing her maiden and new name? Though if that's the way Michigan does it there has to be a way for her to at least replace her license.

[JayMain626 21]

There is a way of her doing it with the state we just don't want to have to wait for it to happen before sending off out I-130 pack off.

[Stressed Out 81]

Well I gotta say as someone who's stuck at the moment due to an RFE (incredibly frustrating knowing it could all be processing now, but nooo), I don't recommend being anxious or, as I was, lazy about obtaining or preparing certain documents. Name change is a big thing to these guys and I'd recommend making it clear to them that she carries your name now.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

What name does she want to use as a married woman? Use that name on every form. She wants her greencard in her name she plans to use happily ever after.

Doesn't matter if marriage license asks what name she will use, or that she hasn't changed all her documentation.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[blk 87]

Hello vj

I appreciate im probably not the first person to ask this but I have been reading several differant things as I have been looking into this issue.

My wife is confused about which name to use on the i-130 and G-325 form I know that she has to state her maiden name on the I-130 but not on the G-325. On our marraige cert it does not state her new name but she did sign it with her new surname. She had not yet changed her passport drivers licence and so on with the state. So which name should we use her maiden name or my name any advice would be appreciated

Many thanks Jamie

Hi Jamie,

The marriage certificate is your wife's prof that she can legally use your name, the first thing she needs to do is go to her local SS office & get a new SS card in her new name then when she has that get her passport changed then go to the DMV & sort out the driving licence, after that the bank, her works, credit cards & anything else.

Brian

[TBoneTX 44,658]

Duplicate threads (one in main CR-1 forum and the other in the Case Progress subforum) have been merged. Please avoid starting multiple threads on the same topic.

[JayMain626 21]

Hi Jamie,

The marriage certificate is your wife's prof that she can legally use your name, the first thing she needs to do is go to her local SS office & get a new SS card in her new name then when she has that get her passport changed then go to the DMV & sort out the driving licence, after that the bank, her works, credit cards & anything else.

Brian

So if she hasn't done this yet we need to use her maiden name on the forms? Or to make it easier we should wait till she gets her new SS card? Or can we use the married name as we have the marraige licence?

[blk 87]

So if she hasn't done this yet we need to use her maiden name on the forms? Or to make it easier we should wait till she gets her new SS card? Or can we use the married name as we have the marraige licence?

Hi,

I would suggest that to make things more stream line to get all her documents changed into her new name before you file, but you can file everything with her maiden name as it's not compulsory for a woman to take the man's name.

The marriage certificate is the prof the you two are married, as far as I know if she wants to use your name on official paperwork then she will have to get everything sorted prior to you filing.

Brian

[JayMain626 21]

What name does she want to use as a married woman? Use that name on every form. She wants her greencard in her name she plans to use happily ever after.

Doesn't matter if marriage license asks what name she will use, or that she hasn't changed all her documentation.

I'm going to be the green card hold she is the petitioner does that make any differance?

[Frips 166]

My wife is petitioner for me and she used married name on I-130. Her SSN, driving license etc. is still on her old last name. We will see if there will be a RFE.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I'm going to be the green card hold she is the petitioner does that make any differance?

Well it isn't as critical since your name will be correct on your greencard. Here's my thoughts--

She is married and has the intention of being "Mary K Married" instead of "Mary K Maiden" going forward. So why not start with her married name? That way it is consistent for all of immigration...petition, visa application, removing conditions, your citizenship. Everything to do with immigration forms shows your spouse's name is Mary K Married. Otherwise you will come back and say you are removing conditions and your wife's IDs all say Mary Married, but she petitioned you as Mary Maiden, so is USCIS going to think you changed wives. I vote for consistency.

USCIS is smart enough to know women change their names and they have a marriage certificate from you showing Mary K Maiden and you got married and it is likely she is taking your name. Not every county or state asks "what name will you use" to put on the marriage certificate. USCIS sees the same situation daily. They will get it. They are wise enough to know if they need to look her up in some super secret database that they will need to look under her maiden name. When they see her tax return, they will understand it is before marriage. I think they can put that simple 2+2 together.

Edit: forgot to say. It is my experience that name changing is a progression. You change documents as you get around to it. I see no reason why her first formal use of her married name can't be on these forms. Then fix passport, driver license, passport, etc when she can. By the time you get this visa, she will have changed many things.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Nich-Nick