change of surname after marriage

[lilj562 1]

When we filled in our marriage license application we left the part at the bottom of the page regarding name changes blank. I would like to take my husbands surname. Is the marriage certificate alone valid to change my name or by leaving that section blank have I made the process longer and more expensive for myself? and Can I use my husband's surname to file for an AOS?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

When we filled in our marriage license application we left the part at the bottom of the page regarding name changes blank. I would like to take my husbands surname. Is the marriage certificate alone valid to change my name or by leaving that section blank have I made the process longer and more expensive for myself? and Can I use my husband's surname to file for an AOS?

You already have a thread about this.

As I stated in that thread, it depends entirely on your state requirements. I would suspect that because you didn't write your husbands name on the licence (which is now the certificate) that you cannot change your name now without paying for a court ordered name change. I would suggest that you go to the county clerks office that handles the marriage certificates and ask them whether you can or not.

Like I said in your other topic, because my state (Iowa) has the name AFTER listed on the certificate, unless I put it there I wouldn't have been able to change my name without a court order.

[Seven 24]

Hi, I live now in Ohio.

I don't even remember that when we went for our marriage license we had to write something regarding a future name change as well as in the marriage certificate.

I filed my AOS documents with the name changed (and as you know you have to attach the marriage certificate). I've been receiving all the USCIS mail with the married name. In addition, when I go to the Social Security office to get my SSN, I'm applying with the married name (based on my EAD or GC which will have the changed name already) and all they need to see is a valid EAD or GC, a passport and a marriage certificate.

Again, that's how it is in Ohio...Probably, in other states you need to write it in the marriage license...

Good luck!

[Brandi n Michael 8]

I changed my name right at the AoS interview because I forgot to fill out the form in my married name lol. Once you get GC in hand in your married name you can change everything else without problem and it doesn't cost any extra.

[lady26 0]

in massachusetts when you fill the license there is a space where says surname after marriage , that is when you will write the surname you will want to keep after marriage but I think every state is different.

[Barbara J 115]

You already have a thread about this.

As I stated in that thread, it depends entirely on your state requirements. I would suspect that because you didn't write your husbands name on the licence (which is now the certificate) that you cannot change your name now without paying for a court ordered name change. I would suggest that you go to the county clerks office that handles the marriage certificates and ask them whether you can or not.

Like I said in your other topic, because my state (Iowa) has the name AFTER listed on the certificate, unless I put it there I wouldn't have been able to change my name without a court order.

Ohhh you just made me check my marriage license lol and there was nothing on mine where I had to write which name after marriage Pheewwww