Which name to use on AOS forms?

[david b 2]

I recently moved to Cali on the K1 visa and I am doing all the forms. WE got married last week and I am waiting for the marriage certificate to arrive, this is the last thing I need before I can send the whole packet. I was wondering which name I should put for my new wife? Should I use my name as she is now BUTLER too? She hasn't changed her name on her Social security yet as we don't have the marriage certificate.....

Or should I just use her maiden name ? Is her name legally the same as mine now we are married?

[Darnell 8,478]

ask yer wife what name SHE wants, yes?

If she wants her married name on the GREEN CARD, then put that.

[cartaverde 12]

If she didn't legally change her name, her name didn't change.

So if she wants to change her last name, it'd better be done before doing the AOS (unless you want to pay another $ 400 for a new green card with her legal name after changing it).

[david b 2]

Thanks for the reply's, but my wife is a US citizen already, it is myself who is the immigrant... she does want to take my name and she will change it once the marriage certificate arrives. But as soon as the certificate arrives I will want to be sending the application for AOS ASAP, so I am not sure which name to put for my wife on the forms. On some of the forms you have to enter your spouse's name....

[menina 50]

Thanks for the reply's, but my wife is a US citizen already, it is myself who is the immigrant... she does want to take my name and she will change it once the marriage certificate arrives. But as soon as the certificate arrives I will want to be sending the application for AOS ASAP, so I am not sure which name to put for my wife on the forms. On some of the forms you have to enter your spouse's name....

I am the American citizen and wife. I put my new last name on the AOS forms. No problem.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Also a USC wife, and also put my married name on the forms.

The law is generally that both names are legal names, and she can use the one which she chooses, so long as she does not select the name with fraudulent intent. The marriage certificate (again, in general) is proof of a legal name change. For example, I still travel under my maiden name because I've been too lazy to change my name with the airline loyalty programs, and my passport doesn't expire until 2011. But I'm Heather NiksLastName on my drivers license, insurance, bank accounts, @ work, etc.