CR-1/IR-1 Name Change Issues

[Nigeria22 0]

What does my wife need to do to go about changing her surname to mine once in the United States?

My wife and I were married in China where there is no custom of the wife taking her husband's family name. Now she has successfully received her CR-1 visa and we will be relocating to the US later this year. I realize now that we probably could have used my surname on all the douments we filed during the application process and listed her surname in the alias or maiden name categories but at the time I thought everything had to follow her passport.

When her Social Secuity card and Green Card arrive they will all list her maiden name.

Can we file an I-90 in the States to change her green card surname to mine even though we were married back in 2007? Can I do the same for her Social Security Card (and which of these should be changed first)?

I have read that for the I-90 and SSC change you need to bring a Marriage Certificate/License showing the new name but in China marriage certificates reflect names on the spouses' IDs which means our marriage certificate also lists her maiden name.

I think we could get the Chinese embassy in the US to add an addendum page in her name with my surname, would this help?

I would appreciate any help or advice from anyone with any experience in this.

Sincerely,

Ikenna

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life in America forum for more targetted replies.

[wowswift 3]

I am the USC and am finally changing my last name. My marriage certificate just says my regular maiden name on it, and I had no problems changing it there. Next, is the DMV for me. then passport.

[Nigeria22 0]

I am the USC and am finally changing my last name. My marriage certificate just says my regular maiden name on it, and I had no problems changing it there. Next, is the DMV for me. then passport.

Was your marriage certificate from the U.S. or Canadian? What specific steps did you take to change your name? What documents were required?

Thanks

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Where are you at ? There is an Orange County is California

If that is the case try this link

California court self help for name change by an adult

[wowswift 3]

I am the USC and am finally changing my last name. My marriage certificate just says my regular maiden name on it, and I had no problems changing it there. Next, is the DMV for me. then passport.

Was your marriage certificate from the U.S. or Canadian? What specific steps did you take to change your name? What documents were required?

Thanks

My marriage certificate is Canadian. All I have read as far as changing name, is to start with your social security card. I went in and did that no problem. So when I get that back (should be a few more days), I'm going to go in and change my driver's license. Since she doesn't have that yet, that isn't a big deal. You basically just go in with your new SS card (or the receipt that says you changed your name) and get that part done.

Now, since she is either already arrived or shortly arriving, if it works out like my husband, she might have to go in and get her SS card, even if she checked off the box on the DS-230. My husband did, but when he got his green card, we realized the SS card isn't coming (since that typically comes first). So, you might be lucky and just go get it in the new name. Just bring your marriage certificate, and a filled out form for the SS card. Even if you do get it in the maiden name, just do that same thing when you get it, they shouldn't have any problem changing it, as long as they have a marriage certificate. (and like i said, mine only said my name in maiden form, i think its normal for most places)

[Nigeria22 0]

I am the USC and am finally changing my last name. My marriage certificate just says my regular maiden name on it, and I had no problems changing it there. Next, is the DMV for me. then passport.

Was your marriage certificate from the U.S. or Canadian? What specific steps did you take to change your name? What documents were required?

Thanks

My marriage certificate is Canadian. All I have read as far as changing name, is to start with your social security card. I went in and did that no problem. So when I get that back (should be a few more days), I'm going to go in and change my driver's license. Since she doesn't have that yet, that isn't a big deal. You basically just go in with your new SS card (or the receipt that says you changed your name) and get that part done.

Now, since she is either already arrived or shortly arriving, if it works out like my husband, she might have to go in and get her SS card, even if she checked off the box on the DS-230. My husband did, but when he got his green card, we realized the SS card isn't coming (since that typically comes first). So, you might be lucky and just go get it in the new name. Just bring your marriage certificate, and a filled out form for the SS card. Even if you do get it in the maiden name, just do that same thing when you get it, they shouldn't have any problem changing it, as long as they have a marriage certificate. (and like i said, mine only said my name in maiden form, i think its normal for most places)

Thank you so much for the info. One last question: how long after you arrived did it take to receive the green card?

[wowswift 3]

about three weeks