Changing Last Names?

[celiothrkn 0]

My wife & I got married in Hong Kong. Unlike in Western culture, women in Asia don't really change their names / take their husbands' last names. So we weren't given the option to change her maiden name to my last name.

Now that we're married (and currently processing the CR1), how would we go about a name change if she wants to take my last name?

[christeen 966]

My wife & I got married in Hong Kong. Unlike in Western culture, women in Asia don't really change their names / take their husbands' last names. So we weren't given the option to change her maiden name to my last name.

Now that we're married (and currently processing the CR1), how would we go about a name change if she wants to take my last name?

To avoid any delays, I would personally wait till you are finished processing, then file for a name change... Otherwise you will hung up waiting for a new passport and identification for her... Just my suggestion. Having different names will not affect anything in the short term.

[Arun+Catie 1]

My wife & I got married in Hong Kong. Unlike in Western culture, women in Asia don't really change their names / take their husbands' last names. So we weren't given the option to change her maiden name to my last name.

Now that we're married (and currently processing the CR1), how would we go about a name change if she wants to take my last name?

To avoid any delays, I would personally wait till you are finished processing, then file for a name change... Otherwise you will hung up waiting for a new passport and identification for her... Just my suggestion. Having different names will not affect anything in the short term.

I am agree with Christeen.

[lgg 2]

Um, not sure where you guys are at... but it costs a lot of money to change the name on your green card -- if you can, get her passport changed ASAP. I just changed mine here in Canada so that my passport now has my married name on it. If you don't do this, they'll process all her US documents in her maiden name.

Not sure how fast or how complicated it would be do that in China, here it took me all of about 2 hours to get my new passport information in and it should arrive in the next week or so.

i would advise this as i've heard it costs about 500$ to change the name on a green card.

Just sayin, happy to be corrected if I'm wrong. I just wanted my US documents in my married name so I switched everything her in Canada.

[celiothrkn 0]

Our files are at the NVC now. Haven't even gone to the interview yet. We don't have a green card yet.

At what point could we do the name change? We'd have to enter the US, get the green card under her maiden name, and then spend $500 or so for a green card name change? Is that correct?

Unfortunately it's not possible for her to change the name on her Chinese passport right now.

[trinket 30]

I never changed my last name and it hasn't been a problem anywhere. But if you guys really want to change the last name, I would suggest to do it now, given its fast and easy in China to change last name and then get it added on her passport.

It will be the best route to take as VISA will be issued on whatever her name is on her passport, also GC will be issued on the same name as VISA has been issued.

If you wait till VISA is in hand, then you will have to spend around $400 plus more to change names here in USA. First you will have to change her name through Chinese consulate in USA (spend whatever the fee is for that), then you will have to change name at SSN, and then send it for the name change in her GC.

[christeen 966]

However, if the is not able to change the name on the passport??? Then she cannot change it here either because the names would not match? Correct

[yuenashleysl 1]

In Hong Kong, you can process a name change on her HK ID card if she's a Hong Kong resident or citizen, you do need to pay the office though. Then she can change her name on the passport. I just remember when my family immigrated about 10 years ago from Hong Kong to USA, my mom had to do all the name change on her ID and her passport in Hong Kong before the interview in Hong Kong somehow to add my dad's last name on it. She said it was required back then. But from your profile seems like you guys are going to CHina embassy for the interview? They may have different requirements now then.

I'm not sure if it is still required now. If it is not required, I guess as others suggested, either she just don't change her name and there wouldn't have any problems, or she will have to change it here when she get the social security card, then change it on her green card and pay.....

I strongly suggest contacting the embassy to confirm the requirement now and maybe ask for their suggestion. In HK US embassy's page, it has a page on their webiste where you can contact them, and they will reply through e-mail within 3 business days. I inquire about a few other questions through that webpage before, it's free, quick, and effective in getting the most recent and accurate information. I'm not sure if they have the same page in China's US embassy website also.

My husband is from Hong Kong, and I'm a Hong Kong and USA citizen. I got married in Hong Kong also in May. I didn't change my name in Hong Kong though, but have it changed here in the USA. Couldn't decide if I want to pay and change my name on my ID card yet....

Good luck and best wishes to your journey!

[celiothrkn 0]

Thanks for the responses guys! Unfortunately I'm not sure how easy it would be for her to change her name on her Chinese passport (and by proxy, her household registration). We actually got married in Hong Kong. I highly doubt the mainland Chinese govt would let us proceed with the last name change essentially since we're not legally married according to mainland authorities. Technically to them, my wife is still single. Despite its political relationship, HK and China are run by different governments.

However, take a look at this link. It seems possible for a female green card holder to change last names after you remove conditions.

[lgg 2]

Hi Christeen...

Not Sure at all about HK/China procedure. All I know is that they issue the green card and such under whatever name is on your passport. I wanted all my US docs in my married name so I went and had my passport redone in it.

Not sure if I got your query but yes, the passport name is the name that they wiill use for the greencard. I did NOT want to spend 500$ changing my name on my greencard when I only spent 80$ changing my passport...

Good luck you guys...

Would suggest, if she can, to get her passport changed ASAP if that's possible.

However, if the is not able to change the name on the passport??? Then she cannot change it here either because the names would not match? Correct

Yeah, this is the stuff that I, as a Canadian, was unsure of. So yeah, just wait until she gets here then, it's possible, it's just expensive is all. But yeah, you can do the change once she's here and all settled.

Good luck.

LGG

Thanks for the responses guys! Unfortunately I'm not sure how easy it would be for her to change her name on her Chinese passport (and by proxy, her household registration). We actually got married in Hong Kong. I highly doubt the mainland Chinese govt would let us proceed with the last name change essentially since we're not legally married according to mainland authorities. Technically to them, my wife is still single. Despite its political relationship, HK and China are run by different governments.

However, take a look at this link. It seems possible for a female green card holder to change last names after you remove conditions.

[Mike and Yan 0]

OR...wait

My wife on a CR1 came here and I went to SSA to apply for the SSN. On that form we changed her name to include mine. Her passport is still good, so the 'passport/green card' is still good. Even though the names are different, all susequent ID names are the same as on the SSN card.