Changing name

[dbarker2 1]

At some point after my wife arrives here we will want to change her last name to mine - does anyone know how we would go about doing that? Do we have to wait until we are done adjusting her status? (she is arriving on a K3 visa) Will it affect our application in anyway? Also, is it necessary to change her name in Mexico as well? Thanks in advance for any answers.

[Otto 83]

You may (and it is probably the best time) change the name when doing AOS, you'd simply use the married name on all the AOS-related forms. Which ever name you want to appear on the PR/Green Card is what name you should use. No affect on your application (pretty common I would think).

[dbarker2 1]

Ok thanks, I guess it just confuses me, because her passport would still have her old name as well as the other supporting documents like birth certificates. etc .. but I'm sure we'll figure something out. Thanks for your help

[Carlawarla 1]

Ok thanks, I guess it just confuses me, because her passport would still have her old name as well as the other supporting documents like birth certificates. etc .. but I'm sure we'll figure something out. Thanks for your help

Yes, her passport will still have her old name. So, until she gets a new Mexican passport, she must book any tickets if you're flying, in her maiden name. Then, when going through customs. she'll show her GC in her married name, her passport in her maiden name, and she should bring a copy of her marriage certificate. Always book tickets in the name of the passport, no matter what the rest of her ID says. At least until she gets her name changed on her passport. Sometimes you can't do that without getting a whole new passport. I don't know the procedures for Mexico.As far as I know, BC's are never changed because you're married.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Carlawarla