changing first name

[foxxiroxxi 2]

Hello VJ members!

I have a question regarding name changes.

I searched online everywhere but am still confused about this topic.

As many of us Foreign nationals, I have a name that is commonly used with in my country. Its so common that when i was attending college there were 3 others girls in my class that went by the same first name.

I was wondering if I am able to legally change my first name after receiving my unconditional (10 year) GC. I have an english first name that i have been using(except for when it is legal stuff such as banks, CC, DMV, flight information etc) for many years. I would like to legally change my first name to that. I know there is a process in which we can change it for free when we are going through the naturalization ceremony thing but that is a good 3 years away and would like to change it now.

I have not changed my maiden name when i got married because I wanted to keep the last name my father has given me.(my father is dying and thought would be best for me to carry on his last name). If i am legally allowed to change my first name, do i have to report it to my country and get my passport name changed too? or is it okay to have a legal english name with in the united states and keep my foreign name on my passport as long as the last names match up? I want to use my current foreign first name as my new middle name.

so for instance if my current name is Yuki Hamada, i would like to change it here to Jennifer Yuki Hamada for all my US related legal documents(dmv, GC, banks etc) but keep my Yuki Hamada on my japanese passport.

is this at all possible? thank you.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You are perfectly entitled to change your first name. You will need to check your states requirements to do so. It will require a court order and you'll have to pay the fee for that. To change your greencard you'll have to file an I-90 and pay the $300+ fee.

As for whether you need to change your name in your home country, you'll have to check your countries requirements, but I doubt you have to. Personally I am (though it's only my last name) because I don't wanna think "which name do I have to use?" when booking tickets, or whatever. It's completely up to you though... and you'll need to remember to mention you have an "alias" on any documentation.

Your qn about whether it'll help having a passport and where the last name matches up... it's irrelevant. There are MANY people with the surname Smith, or Jones so no, the last name matching doesn't matter.. you could still be anyone. Like I said just before, it will be pretty confusing travelling to your home country. You'll have to take your name change documents to prove that the name on the greencard is the name of the person carrying the passport when re-entering the US.

Personally my opinion is if you want to LEGALLY change your name, change it everywhere. It's much less confusing. Otherwise just stick with what you're doing now. There's nothing wrong with telling people that's your real name, but requesting they call you Jennifer.

** moved from "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas" to Moving Here and Your New Life In America as this isn't an AOS question but it is a qn about something in the US**

[foxxiroxxi 2]

TY for the information i appreciate it!

[rchilde 0]

I have a similar question but with a slightly different twist. My fiance is not yet in the US but we are going through the K1 Fiance Visa process, we postponed the interview so I could come accompany her later. But anyways, she has a Chinese name (obviously) but she wants to take on a western name.

for the K1 process so far, we have been using her Chinese name - but is there a way we could 'start' using her western first name so that it would be 'legal'? For example, could we go ahead and change her China passport to include her Western first name OR when she comes to America could she do it at POE or when I file for AOS?

I appreciate any ideas on how we could do this without waiting for Green card or even her coming over. ..

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hello VJ members!

I have a question regarding name changes.

I searched online everywhere but am still confused about this topic.

As many of us Foreign nationals, I have a name that is commonly used with in my country. Its so common that when i was attending college there were 3 others girls in my class that went by the same first name.

I was wondering if I am able to legally change my first name after receiving my unconditional (10 year) GC. I have an english first name that i have been using(except for when it is legal stuff such as banks, CC, DMV, flight information etc) for many years. I would like to legally change my first name to that. I know there is a process in which we can change it for free when we are going through the naturalization ceremony thing but that is a good 3 years away and would like to change it now.

I have not changed my maiden name when i got married because I wanted to keep the last name my father has given me.(my father is dying and thought would be best for me to carry on his last name). If i am legally allowed to change my first name, do i have to report it to my country and get my passport name changed too? or is it okay to have a legal english name with in the united states and keep my foreign name on my passport as long as the last names match up? I want to use my current foreign first name as my new middle name.

so for instance if my current name is Yuki Hamada, i would like to change it here to Jennifer Yuki Hamada for all my US related legal documents(dmv, GC, banks etc) but keep my Yuki Hamada on my japanese passport.

is this at all possible? thank you.

Are you planning to naturalise (file N-400)? It's a lot "easier" then--as you can petition for the name-change on the first page of the form.

(it will cause you delay between approval and swear-in)

[milimelo 4,481]

Are you planning to naturalise (file N-400)? It's a lot "easier" then--as you can petition for the name-change on the first page of the form.

(it will cause you delay between approval and swear-in)

Or, once OP's wife has her green card, file for name change through local court (not sure of the fees), file for new GC ($370) and don't have to worry about it come Removal of conditions time or Naturalization time. Does involve going back to SSA to update the name change and all other paperwork you may have, but should be worth it...

She will probably have to deal with the Chinese consulate regarding name change and passport if she wants to travel.