Wife's Last Name Change

[gogal2020 0]

Hi all,

My wife did not change her last name to mine when we got married and still uses her maiden name, as it is on every document. I know it's very easy to change her last name while applying for naturalization, but how will it work with her russian passport? I know that to get her international (zagran) passport changed she has to go to Russia and change her internal passport for a new name, but that's just something I don't want to go through.

How would it work if we do change her last name to mine, and her Russian passport will still be in her maiden name, travelling, buying airplane tickets to Russia and so on, has anyone done this?

Thank you for your replies!

Mike.

[slim 1,525]

There are several threads on this but basically, she's whatever name she wants to be here in the US and her maiden name back home.

Plane tickets, travel, etc., no sweat. As long as she has both passports with her, she'll be fine.

[Neonred 3,562]

My wife changed her last name. We were going to change her passport while in Russia and brought all the correct documentation but ran into more problems. Decided it was not worth the trouble and not really necessary as Slim has said. We were lucky enough to get the new name stamp in her Russian international passport when it was renewed here in the US. I understand they may not be doing that currently.

With her Russian passport, green card and marriage certificate she will be fine. Better to buy air tickets in the name in the passport, but even in her new name it is not a problem if she has her marriage certificate and green card. When she gets a US passport, even better.

[gogal2020 0]

I read through the other threads too. In DC embassy, as you have mentioned, they don't stamp the passports with new name anymore. We are thinking of using our marriage certificate to change the SS card annd then driver license, along with the credit cards, while we apply for naturalization. My understanding is when we go to Russia, we just buy tickets in her maiden name, have bother her Russian passport (with maiden name), US passport with married name and certificate of marriage?

Just trying to combine all the thought together,

Thanks,

Mike.

[Neonred 3,562]

When we travel to Russia, or any where internationally, we buy the tickets in her married name. When she shows her Russian passport they usually ask if we have the marriage certificate. We do not usually bring that with us, but point out her new name notation in her passport. Looks like all you really need is the marriage certificate. If the ticket is in the name in her Russian passport there should be no questions.