Fiance doesnt want to legally change name until church wedding??

[realizment 18]

So my fiance doesnt want to legally change her name until we actually do our big church wedding. We plan on having a civil marriage within the 90 days of me entering so we then have more time to plan the big wedding which may be a year or more down the road from the civil wedding. Should there be any issues with this? Anybody done similar or not changed name at all?

Thanks.

[missicy 87]

No issues at all. She can change it later or not change it at all. It won't affect your immigration process.

[P.A.T 1]

As far as immigration is concerned, shouldn't be an issue at all. However keep in mind your local laws and regulations regarding name changes, might require a court order to have the name changed after the wedding.

[Anh map 2,098]

As far as immigration is concerned, shouldn't be an issue at all. However keep in mind your local laws and regulations regarding name changes, might require a court order to have the name changed after the wedding.

Exactly!!! I would advise that you research what will be required to do a legal name change after the civil wedding. The religious wedding ceremony has no bearing in this case as you will already be married at the time of the ceremony.

FWIW, why not have the name change effective through the civil ceremony, but have her call herself by her maiden name until whatever point in the future she cares to. Might be a lot less paperwork, etc. that you;d be doing along with the Adjustment of Status filing.

Or she could keep her maiden name and if she chooses change it through the naturalization process a few years down the road.

[realizment 18]

Great thanks guys!!!

[realizment 18]

Tonight she said something about having the civil ceremony just casual and that maybe it wasn't necessary for us to fly our parents out for it until the actual religious ceremony (The big wedding) But i was kind of hoping to have at least our parents there. And i think i remember the lawyer saying immigration like to see pictures of the families at the wedding. Is this completely necessary? i can see how it is better to have them there. But would it be totally wrong if they were not?

[P.A.T 1]

I'm sure it would be beneficial to have family at both events but if they're spaced far apart (im planning to have a court house ceremony and a religious wedding about 6 months later), it will be extremely expensive flying relatives back and forth. I think you should be alright if you get plenty of pictures of you and fiance with friends, co-workers, etc.

[realizment 18]

I'm sure it would be beneficial to have family at both events but if they're spaced far apart (im planning to have a court house ceremony and a religious wedding about 6 months later), it will be extremely expensive flying relatives back and forth. I think you should be alright if you get plenty of pictures of you and fiance with friends, co-workers, etc.

Thanks Pat! What if it was just us at the wedding? Im pretty sure we will have some family there, but just asking anyways?

[P.A.T 1]

Should ok as long as you have other evidence of relationship. You can always ask someone at the courthouse to take a picture of you+fiancé with the judge or the clerk.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So my fiance doesnt want to legally change her name until we actually do our big church wedding. We plan on having a civil marriage within the 90 days of me entering so we then have more time to plan the big wedding which may be a year or more down the road from the civil wedding. Should there be any issues with this? Anybody done similar or not changed name at all?

Thanks.

No issues except that changing her name will involve filing for the AOS in that name which you can do after the church wedding. It will delay her green card. There is no particular deadline to file the AOS. Also there is no requirement for her to change her name at all.

You COULD file for the green card in her maiden name and then later change it but you would be paying more fees.

My suggestion? Get married, file for AOS in maiden name and wait until the RoC to change to the married name. Whether you wait or not, it is the civil wedding that authorizes the name change

Edited August 19, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[missicy 87]

No issues except that changing her name will involve filing for the AOS in that name which you can do after the church wedding. It will delay her green card. There is no particular deadline to file the AOS. Also there is no requirement for her to change her name at all.

You COULD file for the green card in her maiden name and then later change it but you would be paying more fees.

My suggestion? Get married, file for AOS in maiden name and wait until the RoC to change to the married name. Whether you wait or not, it is the civil wedding that authorizes the name change

I think she is the USC because OP is talking about him entering the US in the original post, so no green card paperwork for her.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks Pat! What if it was just us at the wedding? Im pretty sure we will have some family there, but just asking anyways?

One of my friends (that i met on here) didn't even take photos at the courthouse, completely forgot. Another couple took only a couple of pics. Neither had any issues when it came time to AOS. It's more than photos. It's more about co-mingling of assets.

Regarding the name change, she becomes able to change her name after the courthouse wedding. I agree with previous advise to still go by her maiden name socially BUT if her plan is to ultimately change it she should write it on the AOS paperwork (the I-864) as it's her legal name. Being the USC it is significantly easier. If she was the immigrant it would be slightly more complicated.

Don't know if that helps.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[realizment 18]

Thanks guys Much appreciated! And yes I am the male who will be entering the US, She is the USC.

[bigdog 376]

So my fiance doesnt want to legally change her name until we actually do our big church wedding. We plan on having a civil marriage within the 90 days of me entering so we then have more time to plan the big wedding which may be a year or more down the road from the civil wedding. Should there be any issues with this? Anybody done similar or not changed name at all?

Thanks.

The name she uses will not affect her immigration status. I have seen USCIS send the green card with married name, waiting to see how ours comes.

[baron555 934]

So my fiance doesnt want to legally change her name until we actually do our big church wedding. We plan on having a civil marriage within the 90 days of me entering so we then have more time to plan the big wedding which may be a year or more down the road from the civil wedding. Should there be any issues with this? Anybody done similar or not changed name at all?

Thanks.

My wife and son have not changed their names......and we have no immediate intentions to do so.......too complicated Russian-viss wise.