When should I change my last name?

[Misty1979 0]

When David and I got married, I didn't know much about the whole immigration process at the time, so I decided to keep my last name for the time being just until the immigration work was over. I was worried that changing my last name right before submitting the I-130 could cause problems somehow. (I know now that they pretty much expect a name change, so I've been kicking myself in the butt for not having changed it in the first place.)

We're coming to the end of the process now, and I would like to surprise him sometime soon by finally taking his last name. I'm wondering if changing my last name before the interview can/will create any obstacles?

Any feedback is welcome.

Edited July 6, 2007 by Misty1979

[YuAndDan 153]

Once the paperwork is filed it is a problem to get name changes right even for typos.

I would wait until you are in the USA and have the green-card then file I-90 to change name on the green-card.

I-90 is $200 to file, and starting July 30 it is $370

[Marilyn. 340]

I changed my name before the interview with no problems.... I changed my name after we already had sent off the DS-230 too....

I emailed Montreal and they said just to let them know at the interview when they are going through your paperwork that you have changed your name and to bring along proof, like the marriage certificate....

just remember the visa will use the name that is in your passport... so if you want you can change your name in your passport.... when I did it I just had my new last name added as an amendment but nowadays I think you need to get a whole new passport....

it is not really a problem to change your name, at least I didn't have a problem... they only issue might be the wait time to get a whole new passport in your married name...

Edited July 6, 2007 by MarilynP

[Marilyn. 340]

Personal information

Names

All of your documentation, including your passport, should be issued under the same name. If you have changed the name on your other identification documents, your passport should reflect the same name.

Married Surnames

To obtain a passport in your married surname, submit:

* an application form completed in full,

* a proof of Canadian citizenship,

* supplementary identification in your married name,

* the photos signed by the guarantor,

* the required fees, and

* any valid travel document, if applicable.

You may be requested to submit your marriage certificate in support of your request to have your passport issued in your married surname.

You may no longer add your married name as an observation on a passport. If you wish to obtain a passport in your new name, you must apply for a new passport.

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/usa/personal_information.aspx?lang=e

[neiks 19]

Your visa will be issued in whatever name is in your passport. Unless you are going to get a new passport with your married name before the interview I wouldn'd bother trying to get it changed. We did all my paperwork in my married (hyphenated) name but my old passport was in my married name so all the correspondenc from MTL came in my maiden name. I got a new passport just before my interview with my married name and told them at the interview and they did the change there and my visa will be in my married name.

So basically, if your passport is still in your maiden name your visa will be in your maiden name anyways.

[neiks 19]

my old passport was in my married name

Damn edit didn't work.

I mean my old passport was in my maiden name.

[Mr and Mrs Bird 0]

I thought that since I used my new lastname on my applications they would make my greencard and workpermit in that name and not from my old passport

What is the whole reason then that I should use my new lastname on my applications which I was recommended?

[Misty1979 0]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I guess I will just wait until I have my greencard, and file the I-90. I don't want to risk sending away my old passport and not having it back here in time for the interview.

[neiks 19]

I thought that since I used my new lastname on my applications they would make my greencard and workpermit in that name and not from my old passport

That's what I thought too. All correspondence came back as my married name until it got to the consulte. They sent everything in my maiden name as it appears on my passport.

I guess I will just wait until I have my greencard, and file the I-90. I don't want to risk sending away my old passport and not having it back here in time for the interview

Misty, you can always go down to your local passport office. You can get it expadited and pick it up the next week. It's not that much more expensive. Bring your marriage certificate, proof of citizenship, and old passport. Ask for you old passport back though - they will stamp cancelled on it and cut the corners and return it back to you right then. Avoid the huge line up and do you application online via e-pass. YOu just submit it and print it off and take it with you to the PPT. Make sure it's printed correctly though. There was one guy that had his rejected b/c it wasn't printed right. The line up was over 1 hour long for everyone else but in the e-pass line up I waited for 10 minutes.

[Misty1979 0]

I thought that since I used my new lastname on my applications they would make my greencard and workpermit in that name and not from my old passport

That's what I thought too. All correspondence came back as my married name until it got to the consulte. They sent everything in my maiden name as it appears on my passport.

I guess I will just wait until I have my greencard, and file the I-90. I don't want to risk sending away my old passport and not having it back here in time for the interview

Misty, you can always go down to your local passport office. You can get it expadited and pick it up the next week. It's not that much more expensive. Bring your marriage certificate, proof of citizenship, and old passport. Ask for you old passport back though - they will stamp cancelled on it and cut the corners and return it back to you right then. Avoid the huge line up and do you application online via e-pass. YOu just submit it and print it off and take it with you to the PPT. Make sure it's printed correctly though. There was one guy that had his rejected b/c it wasn't printed right. The line up was over 1 hour long for everyone else but in the e-pass line up I waited for 10 minutes.

Oh wow...I hadn't even thought of that! Thanks, I will definetely look into that tomorrow.

Looks like I may be able to surprise my husband with the same last name sooner than I thought:)

[Misty1979 0]

Bah...just looked over the requirements again, and the Guarantor is going to be a problem. Last year when I got my passport I lived in a different city and after days of searching finally found an old high school principal that would sign as a guarantor for me.

Won't have any luck like that this time I'm afraid. Just moved back here to Victoria after a few years of back and forth. I know there is a form you can fill out if you don't have a guarantor, but I'm worried that if it causes problems, they will have voided my old passport, and my new one will be delayed due to the lack of a guarantor.

Back to the old drawing board I guess lol

[Misty1979 0]

Last question on this thread, I promise!!

Ok, so I think I finally found a guarantor. I created an epass account today, but haven't actually looked at the form itself, so hopefully this question isn't answered anywhere on the form. (I didn't want to start the form yet since I'm at work, and info I might need to fill it is at home.)

Anyways, my question is about the name part, since I'm only doing this to change my last name I just write my new last name in where it asks, then provide a copy of my marriage certificate, right? Does the marriage certificate have to be a certified copy or will a photocopy do?

Sorry if the questions are silly, but I've never had to change my last name, so I'm pretty clueless in this area

Thanks again

[neiks 19]

Yes, just put down your new last name. I think it does ask somewhere on there for former names/maiden name. I brought my original marriage certificate as I had two but I'm not sure on the requirements of that. I imagine it would have to be an original or a certified copy at the least. The lady actually did't even really look at my marriage certificate. My name on my ID (driver's license) was already in my married name so that was really the only thing she checked, but I would still take you marriage certificate.

Here is what it says on the passport website:

Married Surnames

To obtain a passport in your married surname, submit:

an application form completed in full,

a proof of Canadian citizenship,

supplementary identification in your married name,

the photos signed by the guarantor,

the required fees, and

any valid travel document, if applicable.

You may be requested to submit your marriage certificate in support of your request to have your passport issued in your married surname.

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/can/personal_information.aspx?lang=e