Taking My Last Name?

[Waitinggent 2]

I really have no preference for whether my fiancee takes my last name or keeps hers. However, I am wondering if anyone has run into any problems one way or the other - confusion at port of entry, the fact that her last name would no longer match her foreign passport, etc . . . .. If neither of us has strong feelings on the subject, is one way a better way to go. Also, if she does take my last name, will I use her new name on the documents I will submit for AOS, or will I continue to use the her name as it is on her passport and visa.

Thanks and Happy New Year

[payxibka 10,045]

use whatever name she wants to be known as....

my wife changed all three names when we got married.... no issues

when traveling we bring a copy of the marriage certificate to show the name change to bridge the passport to greencard difference...

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Changing the immigrant's name (mostly done in order to boost the USC husband's ego) is one of the worst mistakes one can make. It will cost money and create headaches when changing a multitude of documents and can -- especially for Russians -- create serious problems at the dual citizen state in regard to passports, visas, and non-matching names on passenger manifests. Do some reading on this site, then do what many smart people did: keep their name.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I kept my own last name. It has not caused any problems and has, I believe, made many things easier. I haven't had to go around changing my identification all over the place or providing 'links' between a new name and a former name to show I am the same person.

I had an identity of my own in Canada which included my professional life and published work under my own name. I gave up my job, left my friends, my family, my home, and my country to move to the US to marry my husband. I didn't give up 'me' and it felt like I would be losing the rest of who I was if I also gave up my name. My husband is perfectly fine with my decision - in fact, he was the one who first brought it up.

Edited January 1, 2010 by Kathryn41

[NatPatBen 3]

Changing the immigrant's name (mostly done in order to boost the USC husband's ego) ...

Just Bob, I noticed your anti-name change stance in several posts. I imagine you have an interesting story behind it...

I did want to point out a few other reasons people have their last name changed: to show unity, to eliminate confusion, so any future child's last name will match both parents.

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OP, I'd suggest the name change only if you feel it's worth the hassle. And there is definitely hassle. But if you feel it's worth it, keep in mind that the hassle is only temporary.

[Waitinggent 2]

Thanks for the postings. We do not plan any children, as my fiance already has 2 children (17 and 21) and we are beyond the years of wanting children. That would seem to be the only reason that I can think of for her to change her name unless I hear some reasons why keeping her Russian name will cause problems. We have not discussed this yet, but she is a widow. She and her children carry her deceased husband's last name. For me that is not a problem as she has carried that name for over 20 years and it provides a connection to her children. In the USA, my parents had an ugly divorce after 30 years of marriage, but my mother kept my father's name, despite her anger at him, as this is how she is known to everybody now. Unless my fiancee really would like to take my last name, I see more problems with her taking my name than keeping her own.