Green Card

[E-Man 0]

Hi Folks,

We went through the AOS interview (2 year conditional) and passed. I was hoping someone could answer a few questions I have:

1) We submitted all the paperwork under the married name and have all the credit cards, SS Card, Drivers License and medical card under the married name. Moreover, the EAD and AP received were under the married name. However, the immigration officer would not allow the green card too have the married name since she said she needs to match the passport. Is the officer correct?

2) If the Green card is under the maiden name and all other forms of ids are in the married name. Isn't it going to cause a problem renewing your drivers license (especially CA since they offer you a license that matches the length of time of the EAD (1 year)) since the drivers license and SSN don't match the green card?

3) Is the solution to change the name on the green card and how do I do that?

4) How do you legally change your name in CA?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Otto 83]

Hi Folks,

We went through the AOS interview (2 year conditional) and passed. I was hoping someone could answer a few questions I have:

1) We submitted all the paperwork under the married name and have all the credit cards, SS Card, Drivers License and medical card under the married name. Moreover, the EAD and AP received were under the married name. However, the immigration officer would not allow the green card too have the married name since she said she needs to match the passport. Is the officer correct?This is incorrect - people file AOS/AP/EAD every day under their 'new' married name and have absolutely no issues obtaining any of those items in their married name - there is no rule (that I've ever seen) requiring the PR/Green Card to "Match the passport name."

2) If the Green card is under the maiden name and all other forms of ids are in the married name. Isn't it going to cause a problem renewing your drivers license (especially CA since they offer you a license that matches the length of time of the EAD (1 year)) since the drivers license and SSN don't match the green card?Should not be a problem - that is one thing the marriage certificate is good for.

3) Is the solution to change the name on the green card and how do I do that?So did you get the PR/Green Card in the maiden name or married name?

4) How do you legally change your name in CA?Not sure in California but I'm sure it is similar to TX. - Presumably you're referring to changing last name due to marriage - once married - the new name is usually indicated on the marriage certificate - take the marriage certificate to the DMV and get a new license and to the SSA to get a new social security card. This (in many states) changes the persons name.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[E-Man 0]

Thanks Otto and Karin for your reply. FYI, here are the answers if someone goes through the hassle we did.

We went through the AOS interview (2 year conditional) and passed. I was hoping someone could answer a few questions I have:

1) We submitted all the paperwork under the married name and have all the credit cards, SS Card, Drivers License and medical card under the married name. Moreover, the EAD and AP received were under the married name. However, the immigration officer would not allow the green card (has maiden name) too have the married name since she said she needs to match the passport. Is the officer correct?

I found out that the Officer was incorrect. She should have put the married name. Especially, since that is how the paperwork was submitted and all of the ids reflect the married name.

2) If the Green card is under the maiden name and all other forms of ids are in the married name. Isn't it going to cause a problem renewing your drivers license (especially CA since they offer you a license that matches the length of time of the EAD (1 year)) since the drivers license and SSN don't match the green card?

I found out that it does cause a problem in California since the name on the Drivers License is her married name (based on EAD card) and the name on her Green card is her maiden name. The two systems (DMV and Immigration) must match and providing just a marriage certificate is not sufficent. Especially, since the marriage certificates for Los Angeles County in 2008 does not show the married name (changed in 2009 where they now show married name).

3) Is the solution to change the name on the green card and how do I do that?

I set up an infopass appointment and I also am submitting a I-90 to correct.

4) How do you legally change your name in CA.

By getting married and changing your name in DMV and SS (by showing marriage certificate) is sufficient for people that are changing their name due to marriage. As mentioned earlier, prior to 2009 the marriage certificates in LA county do not show the married name.