Social Security (Name Change)

[AvoidDaNoid 0]

My wife (is here on a K-1 Visa) We just got back from the Social Security Office and they only let her apply for a SSN in her maiden name. They told us we will have to go to the Dept of Homeland Security to get her name changed. Until then, the lady told us :

#1 That if I put her on my insurance we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

#2 That if I put her on my taxes we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

Is this true?

Also when I file for AOS do I have to use her maiden name or married name? Thank you very much.

[David-and-Mae 15]

My wife (is here on a K-1 Visa) We just got back from the Social Security Office and they only let her apply for a SSN in her maiden name. They told us we will have to go to the Dept of Homeland Security to get her name changed. Until then, the lady told us :

#1 That if I put her on my insurance we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

#2 That if I put her on my taxes we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

Is this true?

Also when I file for AOS do I have to use her maiden name or married name? Thank you very much.

When you apply for AOS, you will use her married name. Once you received the greencard or even EAD, you can go back to SSA and have her name on her card changed to married name. Make sure you bring all the original documents most especially the GC or EAD, birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, etc. As far as I know, you can put her married name on your insurance and taxes.

[ddartt1 2]

My wife (is here on a K-1 Visa) We just got back from the Social Security Office and they only let her apply for a SSN in her maiden name. They told us we will have to go to the Dept of Homeland Security to get her name changed. Until then, the lady told us :

#1 That if I put her on my insurance we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

#2 That if I put her on my taxes we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

Is this true?

Also when I file for AOS do I have to use her maiden name or married name? Thank you very much.

When you apply for AOS, you will use her married name. Once you received the greencard or even EAD, you can go back to SSA and have her name on her card changed to married name. Make sure you bring all the original documents most especially the GC or EAD, birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, etc. As far as I know, you can put her married name on your insurance and taxes.

Well said!

[GemandDan 0]

You can put her married name on the AOS.

I also came over on a K1 Visa and was able to change my name at the Social Security office. I just brought my marriage license as well as ID and they were able to change it on the spot. I'm not sure why your wife was not able to change her name.

[AvoidDaNoid 0]

My wife (is here on a K-1 Visa) We just got back from the Social Security Office and they only let her apply for a SSN in her maiden name. They told us we will have to go to the Dept of Homeland Security to get her name changed. Until then, the lady told us :

#1 That if I put her on my insurance we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

#2 That if I put her on my taxes we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

Is this true?

Also when I file for AOS do I have to use her maiden name or married name? Thank you very much.

When you apply for AOS, you will use her married name. Once you received the greencard or even EAD, you can go back to SSA and have her name on her card changed to married name. Make sure you bring all the original documents most especially the GC or EAD, birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, etc. As far as I know, you can put her married name on your insurance and taxes.

Thank very much for your reply. Does anyone know for sure if I can use her married name on taxes or insurance? Has anyone done this yet? If so which name did you put down?

You can put her married name on the AOS.

I also came over on a K1 Visa and was able to change my name at the Social Security office. I just brought my marriage license as well as ID and they were able to change it on the spot. I'm not sure why your wife was not able to change her name.

It might have been the lady at the office. We brought our Marriage License and she had to put it in her maiden name for the computer to accept it....I don't know if the lady knew what she was doing?

Edited July 15, 2009 by AvoidDaNoid

[AniaJ 0]

My wife (is here on a K-1 Visa) We just got back from the Social Security Office and they only let her apply for a SSN in her maiden name. They told us we will have to go to the Dept of Homeland Security to get her name changed. Until then, the lady told us :

#1 That if I put her on my insurance we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

#2 That if I put her on my taxes we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

Is this true?

Also when I file for AOS do I have to use her maiden name or married name? Thank you very much.

Hmm. Here in New Mexico I needed a social security number to get married on K-1. They said they had to check with homeland security -took about 5 weeks! After the marriage I went back with a marriage license and they changed my name with no problems (still no valid for work without work authorization ). We applied for AOS using my new name and I use it for insurance etc. I don't know what the rules are in your social security office . Try talking to someone else there. But the name used for AOS will be the one on the green card! Good luck with all this confusion!

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

Thank very much for your reply. Does anyone know for sure if I can use her married name on taxes or insurance? Has anyone done this yet? If so which name did you put down?

It might have been the lady at the office. We brought our Marriage License and she had to put it in her maiden name for the computer to accept it....I don't know if the lady knew what she was doing?

Looks like you came across another incompetent civil service employee. Don't feel bad, they are everywhere.

Yes, you can use your wife's married name on your insurance and taxes. The marriage certificate (not marriage license... there's a difference) is a document which allows her to legally take your name the minute you are married.

Once you get the EAD in her married name, you can change her SS card. But I would wait till the greencard comes to go back. They will remove the restriction on the card that reads something like "valid with DHS authorization" You can get that removed once she gets the greencard.

Edited July 15, 2009 by Eric-Pris