I did not "take my husbands name"

[Bforbarree 4]

Hi There,

My husband and I are at the point of needing to apply for Lifting Of Conditions, his 2 year GC expires in December.

I never took my husbands last name, will this be a problem when sending in the application?

I am the USC, my husband is a US Legal Resident.

Many thanks!

[trailmix 77]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. This is 2010, not 1920

[happyinlove012408 0]

Hello Bforbarree that should not cause any problems. My culture we don't take our husband's name. When I filed for I-130 we had different last names even though we are married. We still have different names and when I filed for his I-751 we had different last names. I hope that helps.

Edited July 5, 2010 by happyinlove012408

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Let me check with our Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nope, he didn't take Maria Shriver's name, nor did she take his. How 'bout Bruce Willis? Did you switch to Demi Moore's? Nope. And aren't we all glad that Sandra Bullock isn't Misses James now? What a mess that would be!

Keeping one's name shows maturity, self-respect, foresight, independence, and the desire to preserve not only one's family heritage but also one's unique identity. In short, it's the smart thing to do.

[Jenn! 918]

I kept my maiden name and we didn't have any problems when removing conditions.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I kept my maiden name as well, and it was a complete non-issue with immigration. You won't have any problems because of keeping your name.

[Darnell 8,479]

name? no.

ROC is more focused on financial co-mingling, having a bonafide marriage, being able to show evidence of these things.

[sachinky 465]

I retained my maiden name as well. No issues with our CR-1 visa and I foresee no problems when we lift for ROC in a year and a half.

[Armenia 18]

Hello Bforbarree that should not cause any problems. My culture we don't take our husband's name. When I filed for I-130 we had different last names even though we are married. We still have different names and when I filed for his I-751 we had different last names. I hope that helps.

Lucky you! I've been here in the Philippines a few months waiting for my interview. When I went to apply for a driver's license, the front desk (level 1) screener wouldn't accept my application form because he said I didn't bring my marriage contract (I didn't bring it since I wasn't using my husband's name) which he said I need because I am married and will use my husband's name because he said that is what married women do. It was both amusing and annoying to inform him that Philippine law does not require married women to adopt their husbands' names. I was instructed to go to an evaluator (level 2) because the screener did not know what to do. The evaluator listened then said I can tell the screener that he, Mr. so-and-so, said it's ok. I went down and told the screener that Mr. so-and-so evaluator said that it's ok for me not to use my husband's name.

[Tom_Jim 40]

My ex-wife never took my last name. Zero issues. It was never even brought up.

[IncorrectPolitics 26]

It shouldn't be a problem unless you run into an idiot. I didn't take my husbands last name and when we entered the airport for the first time some moron officer started asking us why I didn't change my last name. I told him because it takes too long to do at the embassy in Lebanon and I will do so here. Good thing I was planning on changing my last name anyway because I know U.S. law doesn't require you to do so and I would have had an argument with him if I didn't want to change my name in the first place. I did get annoyed when he told me I HAVE TO CHANGE MY LAST NAME if I am married and that I HAVE TO GET A NEW PASSPORT because it will show all of my husbands information on the last page of my passport and show married on the area near my picture and passport number. Anyway, I changed my last name anyway by my choice, not because Mr. Border Patrol Officer said I had to, and my new passport looked exactly the same as the one I had when I was single except the name of course Some people just don't know what they are talking about, it seems like they would put someone more intelligent working this job.

[Darnell 8,479]

Alwayswaiting - no, alas - CBP is rife with personnel who only regurgitate what their bosses tell them. Apparently, their bosses came up through the ranks, from the same 'moronic-level' of uber-douchey @ss-munches that did 'front-facing' at the gate, prior. The only way to get rid of them, IMO, is via a rigorous 'knowledge test' system, and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

[v333k 59]

Let me check with our Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nope, he didn't take Maria Shriver's name, nor did she take his. How 'bout Bruce Willis? Did you switch to Demi Moore's? Nope. And aren't we all glad that Sandra Bullock isn't Misses James now? What a mess that would be!

Keeping one's name shows maturity, self-respect, foresight, independence, and the desire to preserve not only one's family heritage but also one's unique identity. In short, it's the smart thing to do.

Good analogy Bob!!!

[Bforbarree 4]

It shouldn't be a problem unless you run into an idiot.

Uhh...

Well, heres to hoping that we don't *crosses fingers*

Asides from that I think I will adopt your statement as my new montra...

[Bforbarree 4]

I want to thank everyone so much for taking the time to reply!

I find dealing with USCIS is such a major stress (like so many of us I am sure!) so I am constantly questioning every minor detail ...such a relief that you all are here!

Many many thanks!