Is not changing my last name a red flag for i485

[gigi_a 0]

I got married and have not changed my last name to my husband's since I have to go to Bulgaria (my home country; there is no one there that i can give power of attorney to file paperwork and deal with all of the details of that) to legalize my marriage and change my last name on my passport. I was wondering if that could be a red flag on my application. Little background to substantiate this fear:I have a H-1B visa, we have known each other for about 3 yrs, dated for most of that and been living together for 2 or so.We got engaged over Christmas and married on 4/29/11. As proof of bona fide marriage he will be submitting the old lease on our names, the deed on the new house with both names on, insurance we have together,joint bank accounts, the medical power of attorney we filed with hospitals, phone bills to show calls, emails from his family mentioning me as well as cards his daughter has sent me, may be some wedding pics and "congratulations on your marriage" cards, affidavits from friends and coworkers who know of us being a couple and attended our humble wedding ceremony and reception. Not sure if all of that will trump the big age difference between us, so I was wondering if I have to make an extra effort. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

[nickbits 43]

Lots of women do not change their name. It should be a non-issue.

However, if you want to change it afterwards you will have to file another form an pay another fee.

[baron555 934]

Not an issue; my wife didn't change hers since it would be a big hassle to change her Russian passport and adoption papers.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

This would have been a big problem at the times of Jane Austen.

In the 21st century, not so much anymore.

[gigi_a 0]

Thank you all. This helps! I am just freaked out. Proving that my marriage is real is unnerving and the law firm I consulted made it seem like I am going to be cross examined and suspected of having a fraudulent marriage all the way!

[Romancita 3]

Hi!

On the positive side, the law firm probably is trying to prepare you for the worst. On the negative side, there is no reason to panic about the interview. If you do a little reading here on the forum, we'll see that many cases like yours had a smooth, short interview, especially if the parties entered in good faith in marriage (and you did). No need to freak out! You will be fine!

[Romancita 3]

Hi!

On the positive side, the law firm probably is trying to prepare you for the worst. On the negative side, there is no reason to panic about the interview. If you do a little reading here on the forum, we'll see that many cases like yours had a smooth, short interview, especially if the parties entered in good faith in marriage (and you did). No need to freak out! You will be fine!

Ignore the message above! I tried to edit it, but it didn't let me. The negative side I was talking about is the fact that they charge you an arm and a leg and all they do is just fill out the forms, which you can do, too, while YOU do all the work, providing them copies, evidence of the relationship, photos, etc.

[Darnell 8,479]

Try to keep any 'green card issuance' done in the PASSPORT name, saves up troubles later.

*** moving to AOS/work/student/travel forum, OP is adjusting from a H1-B visa ***

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It is absolutely a non-issue all the way through the immigration process for you to keep your own name. I kept my own name and had no problems with the AOS (no interview), with Removal of Conditions (no interview) and it was a non-issue for citizenship based upon marriage to a US citizen. No one official even asked the question. As mentioned above, it is also a lot easier in the long run regarding identification documents - they will always have the same and correct name; you won't have to worry about changing any of them or wondering if you booked the airflight tickets in your married name or your passport's maiden name :-) - not to mention cheaper as you won't have to pay for all of those new documents in the new name.

Don't worry - you'll be perfectly fine.

Lots of women do not change their name. It should be a non-issue.

However, if you want to change it afterwards you will have to file another form an pay another fee.

Or wait until you apply for citizenship at which time you are allowed to make an official name change at no additional charge.

[gigi_a 0]

Ignore the message above! I tried to edit it, but it didn't let me. The negative side I was talking about is the fact that they charge you an arm and a leg and all they do is just fill out the forms, which you can do, too, while YOU do all the work, providing them copies, evidence of the relationship, photos, etc.

Thank you! I worry. I worry seems like a lot about everything and especially when they shared some "stories" about interviews they have been on with clients. Made it seem awful. I don't want red flags on my application or any kind of problems. Those end up costing you a lot of nerves and money too. :}

[gigi_a 0]

It is absolutely a non-issue all the way through the immigration process for you to keep your own name. I kept my own name and had no problems with the AOS (no interview), with Removal of Conditions (no interview) and it was a non-issue for citizenship based upon marriage to a US citizen. No one official even asked the question. As mentioned above, it is also a lot easier in the long run regarding identification documents - they will always have the same and correct name; you won't have to worry about changing any of them or wondering if you booked the airflight tickets in your married name or your passport's maiden name :-) - not to mention cheaper as you won't have to pay for all of those new documents in the new name.

Don't worry - you'll be perfectly fine.

Or wait until you apply for citizenship at which time you are allowed to make an official name change at no additional charge.

Thanks! The money you pay to change your name on all kinds of docs is a concern :{ Even things like drivers license and SSN, not to mention titles and registration to cars, deeds on house, etc. May be a few dollars here and there but when you have a bunch of places to change, it adds up. Not to mention the hell you have to go through to change your name on the foreign passport. I just don't know if I want to add that on to the already long "to do" list. However, I don't want even a speck of suspicion of fraudulent marriage and being dragged thru a log process.

[SaraDee 9]

I know how you feel. I worried about everything before the interview. The good news is chances are it won't be even half as bad as you thought it was going to be. I think your lawyer is just preparing you for the worst. Read my interview experience for some tips and encouragement. I didn't change my name and had zero problems with IO in that regard. You'll do great. Just believe that and read others experiences here. :