More ???? regarding filling out forms

[antda 13]

Hi Cad_bacon,

In answer to your question...

I don't know specifically about the CR-1 process..(I've never been through such)...but...

Generally, if you want everything in your married name, then yes, change all your documents to your married name. In most cases, all you need is just your marriage certificate, and they should be ok with the update there, as a marriage certificate is a legal document allowable for name changes.. It's much easier to do it now, then to have to do it later....

As for the green card, yes, get that name change first. That's the simple one, as all you have to do is just write on your CR-1 application form the married name that you want to use on your green card. Also, provide proof of that, with your marriage certificate (which you will have to provide anyways). This is what I did (as told by a lawyer), when I got married, and had no other US identification. I got my green card with my married name first, and then from there all the rest of my US identification (SSN, driver's license, etc.) was in my married name....

You have to make a decision now about putting the green card in your married name or maiden name, when you apply for it, otherwise, you will have to pay an additional $300+ for a name change for a replacement, or wait until citizenship for a name change. So yeah, in that case, you might as well do it now than wait too...

If you are going to do name changes in the USA, again, here is what I suggest.....

For the USA...

Put all immigration applications forms and documents in your married name (green card, ead, advance parole, citizenship certificate, etc.)

Put your SSN in your married name (needed for finances, banks, jobs, etc.)

Put other US identification documents (driver's license, health card, etc.) in your married name

Put your tax information/IRS information in your married name.

If you are going to do/not do name changes, here is what I suggest.....

For Canada....

Put your SIN in your married name (needed for finances, banks, jobs, etc.)

Put your Canadian passport in you married name (for travel...but you must be careful with this one..and make sure you book tickets in this name too). Note too, that when you change your passport to your married name, you have to apply for a new one over again (with gurarrantors, references, etc.), as to Passport Canada it is considered a new passport, and not a rsimplified enewal.

Put your other Canadian identification documents (driver's license, health card, etc.) in your married name

Put your tax information/Revenue Canada information in your married ame

***And most important of all: Always have a copy of your marriage certificate, in case you run into any problems with your maiden/married names!***

Lol..Sigh...The things we women have to do when we get married and change our last names.....

Bottom line: You can use your married name right away. Make the changes right away, and your life will be easier later on....

Hope this helps. Good luck on your journey and with the name changes too.

Ant

[antda 13]

(replied via PM...but wasn't sure if you got the message as I was having problems with my VJ PM lately...so I'll reply here too...)

Hi Cad_bacon,

Sorry that I couldn't help you out more about the CR-1 process, as I have no clue about that....Nevertheless, I hope you do find the answers that you do need here on vj from others who have gone through the same process too.

That's odd that in your other post, the guy's wife's married name was changed back to the maiden name.

I think it also make sense, as the name on the CR-1 visa (which is a page in your passport) has to match the name in the passport, in order to be used for travel/immigration processes.

So if I were you, this is what I would do: Update your Canadian passport with your married name, asap!

It's better to spend $100 CDN on a new married name passport now,

than to have to spend another $300+ for a replacement green card later with your maiden name to your married name,

as whatever they put on the appplication form is what is going to be on your green card right away for a very long time (unless you pay and wait for the replacement or wait until US Citizenship).....

By the way, Canadian passports only take about a week when applying within Canada. Just go to your local passport office, apply in-person, submit the forms and fees and photos and get the guarrantors and references, and you're good to go. Do this first, then you have new identification and proof of your new married name. You can then use your married name to travel and other purposes later on, which makes things a lot easier too.

So when you get this CR-1 process all done, you will have your Canadian passport and green card in your married names..and you can change/update your other identification accordingly.

Lol..I think you might be right about the name change thing for me, as I was already here in the USA anyways, so they didn't have to bother with a visa for me, and hence I could wait later to do the name changes later on (though it some cases it was harder to get it changed later). Lol...Oh well...

Hope this helps too. Good luck on your name change and immigration journey.

Ant

P.S. You have your SSN card and number for the rest of your life, regardless of how you got it in the first place. So all you have to do is just update the SSA about your new immigration status and your new married name and you're good to go there. Lol..It sure beats applying for a new SSN in the first place! At least you have an SSN already, which will certainly make your transition into the USA a lot easier too, as you can start using that right away!

Edited January 11, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Mrs. P 6]

and once again to clarify...in order to change my passport I would have to change some other form of ID like my Driver's license in order to do so right? I really didn't want to have to change anything, but it looks like I will have to in order to have my married name used in the U.S

If she changes her passport before the interview, then her visa will be issued in her married name. Then her US identification will also be in her married name

Good luck.

Thanks! I actually did receive your PM's! Thanks for all the info and advice!

(replied via PM...but wasn't sure if you got the message as I was having problems with my VJ PM lately...so I'll reply here too...)

Hi Cad_bacon,

Sorry that I couldn't help you out more about the CR-1 process, as I have no clue about that....Nevertheless, I hope you do find the answers that you do need here on vj from others who have gone through the same process too.

That's odd that in your other post, the guy's wife's married name was changed back to the maiden name.

I think it also make sense, as the name on the CR-1 visa (which is a page in your passport) has to match the name in the passport, in order to be used for travel/immigration processes.

So if I were you, this is what I would do: Update your Canadian passport with your married name, asap!

It's better to spend $100 CDN on a new married name passport now,

than to have to spend another $300+ for a replacement green card later with your maiden name to your married name,

as whatever they put on the appplication form is what is going to be on your green card right away for a very long time (unless you pay and wait for the replacement or wait until US Citizenship).....

By the way, Canadian passports only take about a week when applying within Canada. Just go to your local passport office, apply in-person, submit the forms and fees and photos and get the guarrantors and references, and you're good to go. Do this first, then you have new identification and proof of your new married name. You can then use your married name to travel and other purposes later on, which makes things a lot easier too.

So when you get this CR-1 process all done, you will have your Canadian passport and green card in your married names..and you can change/update your other identification accordingly.

Lol..I think you might be right about the name change thing for me, as I was already here in the USA anyways, so they didn't have to bother with a visa for me, and hence I could wait later to do the name changes later on (though it some cases it was harder to get it changed later). Lol...Oh well...

Hope this helps too. Good luck on your name change and immigration journey.

Ant

P.S. You have your SSN card and number for the rest of your life, regardless of how you got it in the first place. So all you have to do is just update the SSA about your new immigration status and your new married name and you're good to go there. Lol..It sure beats applying for a new SSN in the first place! At least you have an SSN already, which will certainly make your transition into the USA a lot easier too, as you can start using that right away!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Yes, in order to get your passport changed you'll have to change your driver's licence.

Honestly, if you want to use your married name in the US, it is heaps easier to change your name in Canada, then have your green card issued in your married name.

Good luck.

[OBX 51]

Yes, in order to get your passport changed you'll have to change your driver's licence.

Honestly, if you want to use your married name in the US, it is heaps easier to change your name in Canada, then have your green card issued in your married name.

Good luck.

Yes, to change your passport you will need 2 pieces if identification in your new name. It will definitely simplify things to make the change in Canada prior to your move.

[soonenough 1]

So all her US identification will be in her maiden name? Like her Green Card and SSN?

Thanks guys for the encouragement! I can see that this process will have it's ups and downs, but in the end be all worth it!

I'm not that far yet as far as the SSN card but im sure when we get the Drivers license they will put that in her married name.

That's odd that in your other post, the guy's wife's married name was changed back to the maiden name.

I think it also make sense, as the name on the CR-1 visa (which is a page in your passport) has to match the name in the passport, in order to be used for travel/immigration processes.

And yes I thought that was odd too, And i asked but they said they had to go off whatever her passport said which of course was her maiden name. I probably would have changed it had i known before hand but didnt know till the actual interview. No big deal will probably change it when all the paper work is finalized and we get settled in. dont want to have a mix up with anything, just to be finished with the whole mess for now is good enough for me:)