Name change???

[lgg 2]

Hi there, we got married in Ontario, where I live -- he's American. I'm wondering, we've filled out all our paperwork using my maiden name BUT i would like to change my name to his last name.

But, here in Ontario, we do an assuming of partner's last name, which means that my birth certificate will always have my maiden name on it unless I decide to do a FULL change, which I will not do -- just the assumption of his last name. Meaning I change my bank info, drivers' license and everything.

The questions are, as my BC still stays the same, can I still keep and use my passport with my Maiden name on it? I'd only change that in the 4 years from now when it expires.

And also, will this have any effect on our filing? If I use my maiden name on all the forms but have switched to my husband's name in the process.

Keep in mind, in Ontario, our BCs remain in our maiden name.

So, anyone from Ontario? What'd you do? And what's right?

Your help is appreciated and hope all your journey's are going well. It's a lot of work and such so your help is a great thing.

Thanks,

LGG

[Sprailenes 47]

I didn't do it.

So much easier that way.

[trailmix 77]

Hi there, we got married in Ontario, where I live -- he's American. I'm wondering, we've filled out all our paperwork using my maiden name BUT i would like to change my name to his last name.

But, here in Ontario, we do an assuming of partner's last name, which means that my birth certificate will always have my maiden name on it unless I decide to do a FULL change, which I will not do -- just the assumption of his last name. Meaning I change my bank info, drivers' license and everything.

The questions are, as my BC still stays the same, can I still keep and use my passport with my Maiden name on it? I'd only change that in the 4 years from now when it expires.

And also, will this have any effect on our filing? If I use my maiden name on all the forms but have switched to my husband's name in the process.

Keep in mind, in Ontario, our BCs remain in our maiden name.

So, anyone from Ontario? What'd you do? And what's right?

Your help is appreciated and hope all your journey's are going well. It's a lot of work and such so your help is a great thing.

Thanks,

LGG

You used your maiden name on all your paperwork and your passport is in your maiden name - therefore your greencard and your SS card will be in your maiden name.

I believe in order for these to be issued in your married name, you would need to get a passport in your married name.

The birth certificate is irrelevant - it is normal that it would have your birth name on it. Doesn't matter whether it's Ontario or not, the procedure is still the same

[Krikit 1,165]

Yeah, the moment for changing your last name on your paperwork was when you were filling out your paperwork. Your marriage certificate was/is the legal document for that change. Now you'll need to do official name changes after the fact.

[JillA 2]

I didn't do it.

So much easier that way.

Me too Plus, I like my last name much better than his

[Holliday 4]

I can't really help here since I just got married last week, so I haven't changed anything over yet. My husband and I filled out all the stuff for the I-130 yesterday, and we just put my married name on all of the forms. When I get home, I'll try to change my driver's license etc. using my marriage certificate. I'm not going to bother changing my passport because I just got it last May, so I'll continue booking travel in my maiden name. Maybe I'm naive, but I figure that with my birth certificate, passport and my marriage certificate, I can prove who I am either way.

I could easily be wrong, but my understanding is that when your green card is eventually issued, it will have the name you used on the forms on it, and to change it after the fact is quite pricey. And sorry, I have no idea how you would go about changing your name in the middle of the process. I assume that you can change your name 'officially' and still use your maiden name in the immigration process, and that shouldn't be a problem, but again... I really don't know what I'm talking about (yet.) I just intend to carry around my marriage certificate so that if I'm questioned about stuff in my maiden name, I'll have proof of the change.

[Krikit 1,165]

You're correct about everything, Holliday. My passport (and quite a lot of other things) is still in my former name so I just book my trips in that name. Haven't had a problem yet.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I can't really help here since I just got married last week, so I haven't changed anything over yet. My husband and I filled out all the stuff for the I-130 yesterday, and we just put my married name on all of the forms. When I get home, I'll try to change my driver's license etc. using my marriage certificate. I'm not going to bother changing my passport because I just got it last May, so I'll continue booking travel in my maiden name. Maybe I'm naive, but I figure that with my birth certificate, passport and my marriage certificate, I can prove who I am either way.

I could easily be wrong, but my understanding is that when your green card is eventually issued, it will have the name you used on the forms on it, and to change it after the fact is quite pricey. And sorry, I have no idea how you would go about changing your name in the middle of the process. I assume that you can change your name 'officially' and still use your maiden name in the immigration process, and that shouldn't be a problem, but again... I really don't know what I'm talking about (yet.) I just intend to carry around my marriage certificate so that if I'm questioned about stuff in my maiden name, I'll have proof of the change.

This is correct.

I book all my travel in my maiden name as that's what's on my passport at the moment. Until I update that, I simply carry along with me my birth certificate and marriage license.

Haven't had a problem

When you take your husband's name you are simply assuming it. You don't legally change it to it. So you may use both names if you like, your married and your maiden...just make sure you carry documentation with you proving you are both at places like the bank, airports, etc. etc.

I will always be Laura maidenname....but I'm also Laura marriedname

Good Luck!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Hi there, we got married in Ontario, where I live -- he's American. I'm wondering, we've filled out all our paperwork using my maiden name BUT i would like to change my name to his last name.

But, here in Ontario, we do an assuming of partner's last name, which means that my birth certificate will always have my maiden name on it unless I decide to do a FULL change, which I will not do -- just the assumption of his last name. Meaning I change my bank info, drivers' license and everything.

The questions are, as my BC still stays the same, can I still keep and use my passport with my Maiden name on it? I'd only change that in the 4 years from now when it expires.

And also, will this have any effect on our filing? If I use my maiden name on all the forms but have switched to my husband's name in the process.

Keep in mind, in Ontario, our BCs remain in our maiden name.

So, anyone from Ontario? What'd you do? And what's right?

Your help is appreciated and hope all your journey's are going well. It's a lot of work and such so your help is a great thing.

Thanks,

LGG

For this situation....you filed in your maiden name...which means, if you plan on using your husbands name and you want that name on your green card, you'll have to file for an updated green card and SSN card and I believe that costs a pretty hefty fee.

Little bit of a mistake there....should have filed in your married name if that's the name you want on those documents.

You can use your maiden name for the rest of your life if you want. It's you. You are just assuming your husbands name. My mom kept her maiden name but there are times, especially when my parents are buying something together, or whatever, that she uses his last name.

You can assume anyone's name as long as you aren't using it for illegal purposes.

Just keep documentation on your person when at places like the airport, etc. My number 1 rule is, whatever name is on your passport at the time, is the name you should book all travel tickets, etc in.

[lgg 2]

Hi there, we got married in Ontario, where I live -- he's American. I'm wondering, we've filled out all our paperwork using my maiden name BUT i would like to change my name to his last name.

But, here in Ontario, we do an assuming of partner's last name, which means that my birth certificate will always have my maiden name on it unless I decide to do a FULL change, which I will not do -- just the assumption of his last name. Meaning I change my bank info, drivers' license and everything.

The questions are, as my BC still stays the same, can I still keep and use my passport with my Maiden name on it? I'd only change that in the 4 years from now when it expires.

And also, will this have any effect on our filing? If I use my maiden name on all the forms but have switched to my husband's name in the process.

Keep in mind, in Ontario, our BCs remain in our maiden name.

So, anyone from Ontario? What'd you do? And what's right?

Your help is appreciated and hope all your journey's are going well. It's a lot of work and such so your help is a great thing.

Thanks,

LGG

For this situation....you filed in your maiden name...which means, if you plan on using your husbands name and you want that name on your green card, you'll have to file for an updated green card and SSN card and I believe that costs a pretty hefty fee.

Little bit of a mistake there....should have filed in your married name if that's the name you want on those documents.

You can use your maiden name for the rest of your life if you want. It's you. You are just assuming your husbands name. My mom kept her maiden name but there are times, especially when my parents are buying something together, or whatever, that she uses his last name.

You can assume anyone's name as long as you aren't using it for illegal purposes.

Just keep documentation on your person when at places like the airport, etc. My number 1 rule is, whatever name is on your passport at the time, is the name you should book all travel tickets, etc in.

Hey Laura...

Your information was really good and thanks for that. Well, looks like I'll be keeping my maiden name then as all the paper work's been filled out. Sheesh. What a drag! There is just SO much going on and it's stressful. I'd wanted to fill out the paper work in my married name but figured that since I hadn't c hanged any of my documentation yet, I shouldn't as I didn't want to risk messing anything up.

Sort of sad to hear that I could have anyway I was planning on keeping my passport as my maiden name anyway just keep things easier.

oh well. Thanks for you help, very informative

Good luck to you.

LGG

[lgg 2]

I can't really help here since I just got married last week, so I haven't changed anything over yet. My husband and I filled out all the stuff for the I-130 yesterday, and we just put my married name on all of the forms. When I get home, I'll try to change my driver's license etc. using my marriage certificate. I'm not going to bother changing my passport because I just got it last May, so I'll continue booking travel in my maiden name. Maybe I'm naive, but I figure that with my birth certificate, passport and my marriage certificate, I can prove who I am either way.

I could easily be wrong, but my understanding is that when your green card is eventually issued, it will have the name you used on the forms on it, and to change it after the fact is quite pricey. And sorry, I have no idea how you would go about changing your name in the middle of the process. I assume that you can change your name 'officially' and still use your maiden name in the immigration process, and that shouldn't be a problem, but again... I really don't know what I'm talking about (yet.) I just intend to carry around my marriage certificate so that if I'm questioned about stuff in my maiden name, I'll have proof of the change.

Hey Holliday...

Just curious... did you get married in Ontario??? If so, how'd you get your marriage cert. so quick? We had to wait almost 9 weeks before we got ours!

Just curious...

[DeadPoolX 9]

For some reason or another, the BC provincial government requires women to get a complete name change if they want a hyphenated last name. Women can keep their maiden name or assume their husband's name without any problem, but if a woman wants to hyphenate? Forget it -- they make you go through the official process of changing your name.

My wife wouldn't be completely against that if BC didn't issue you a new birth certificate. Apparently, if you get a hyphenated name, BC tears apart your old (and original) birth cert and gives you a brand new one. If BC wanted to issue a "change of name cert" or something similar, that'd be okay, but legally changing your birth cert? My wife wasn't born married.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I too am in a similar situation.

I have never bothered to change my name in Canada (Ontario) so i receive everything from the CDN gov or my old bank or whatever in my maiden name. Honestly I don't want to go through the freaking hullabaloo back there - I have good documents that I paid for, I don't want to shell out again for a new passport, new birth certs (long and short) etc etc....

Everything in the US is in my married name and yes, I bring my wedding certificate with me if I need to explain the difference in names should I show my CDN passport or whatever. So my GC and all other correspondance is in my husband's last name.

Don't know if this story helped but you can have it both ways, it's kind of a pain because I sign my name 2 ways, but nothing too big

[Holliday 4]

I can't really help here since I just got married last week, so I haven't changed anything over yet. My husband and I filled out all the stuff for the I-130 yesterday, and we just put my married name on all of the forms. When I get home, I'll try to change my driver's license etc. using my marriage certificate. I'm not going to bother changing my passport because I just got it last May, so I'll continue booking travel in my maiden name. Maybe I'm naive, but I figure that with my birth certificate, passport and my marriage certificate, I can prove who I am either way.

I could easily be wrong, but my understanding is that when your green card is eventually issued, it will have the name you used on the forms on it, and to change it after the fact is quite pricey. And sorry, I have no idea how you would go about changing your name in the middle of the process. I assume that you can change your name 'officially' and still use your maiden name in the immigration process, and that shouldn't be a problem, but again... I really don't know what I'm talking about (yet.) I just intend to carry around my marriage certificate so that if I'm questioned about stuff in my maiden name, I'll have proof of the change.

Hey Holliday...

Just curious... did you get married in Ontario??? If so, how'd you get your marriage cert. so quick? We had to wait almost 9 weeks before we got ours!

Just curious...

Nah, I got married in Dallas, TX (at a hockey game! ) It's kinda neat, because in Texas, the marriage license becomes the certificate once it's signed and sealed and recorded, so there wasn't any waiting involved for us. We got married on Friday, and then brought the signed license to the County Clerk on Monday and they recorded it in their system and signed it and sealed it right away. That sucks that you had to wait so long!

I guess I'll have to wait and see if I'll encounter any difficulties changing my name at home in Ontario with a certificate from Texas. So far, the only thing we've tried to do with it is add my name to my husband's bank account here in Oklahoma. The bank wouldn't allow me to be listed in my married name without my driver's license being changed first, so they listed me with my maiden name.

[Holliday 4]

I too am in a similar situation.

I have never bothered to change my name in Canada (Ontario) so i receive everything from the CDN gov or my old bank or whatever in my maiden name. Honestly I don't want to go through the freaking hullabaloo back there - I have good documents that I paid for, I don't want to shell out again for a new passport, new birth certs (long and short) etc etc....

Everything in the US is in my married name and yes, I bring my wedding certificate with me if I need to explain the difference in names should I show my CDN passport or whatever. So my GC and all other correspondance is in my husband's last name.

Don't know if this story helped but you can have it both ways, it's kind of a pain because I sign my name 2 ways, but nothing too big

That helps me to know! Because honestly, I'm pretty lazy and I don't want to deal with any excess hassle in Ontario if it can work both ways. It's good to know that I can just change the easy stuff and it won't matter too much if I don't change everything.