Name Change after arriving in US

[SeZMehK 0]

I don't know which forum to post this in so I'll post it here for now. My wife will be arriving here next week. We decided to keep her maiden name until she arrives in the US. Now when is the best time to change her last name? After she receives the green card or SSN?

[Navyk 78]

I don't know which forum to post this in so I'll post it here for now. My wife will be arriving here next week. We decided to keep her maiden name until she arrives in the US. Now when is the best time to change her last name? After she receives the green card or SSN?

If you came on IR-1 (10 years visa with no condition), then get it done as soon as you get your Green card and SSN. There will be fee.

If you came on CR-1, then you can either wait till the conditional 2 years period of the Green Card is over and getting it changed during the issue of the Green Card after the 2 years period or get it done after the Green Card and SSN is received paying the fee.

I am in the same situation and I plan to get it done after 2 years of the conditional Green Card period.

[SeZMehK 0]

If you came on IR-1 (10 years visa with no condition), then get it done as soon as you get your Green card and SSN. There will be fee.

If you came on CR-1, then you can either wait till the conditional 2 years period of the Green Card is over and getting it changed during the issue of the Green Card after the 2 years period or get it done after the Green Card and SSN is received paying the fee.

I am in the same situation and I plan to get it done after 2 years of the conditional Green Card period.

She's coming on CR-1 Visa. So from what I understand in either case, I have to wait till the 2 year period is over correct?

[Navyk 78]

She's coming on CR-1 Visa. So from what I understand in either case, I have to wait till the 2 year period is over correct?

Unless you want to spend another 500 or so (i don't know the exact fee), it is best to wait for the 2 years period.

[ganesh86 0]

Unless you want to spend another 500 or so (i don't know the exact fee), it is best to wait for the 2 years period.

Our marriage certificate shows her married name but her passport and immigration applications it still showing as maiden name. Do you guys think consular officer might raise this issue during her interview? I mean questions like, " why your marriage certificate shows married name(which is my last name) but passport and immigration applications" shows as maiden name as your last name?

Even in the future she decided not to change her maiden name? Will that be a problem or she needs to go back to marriage registrar ofice prior to interview and get an updated marriage certificate with her maiden name?

Please advise us!

02/20/2011 - Married

03/14/2011 - I-130 sent

03/15/2011 - I-130 received

03/18/2011 - NOA1

06/16/2011 - NOA2

07/17/2011 - NVC received

08/06/2011 - Received DS-3032 and I-864 bill

08/06/2011 - Emailed DS-3032 and paid I-864 bill

08/10/2011 - I-864 sent to NVC

08/15/2011 - DS-3032 accepted and IV bill received

08/15/2011 - Paid IV bill

08/18/2011 - DS-230 sent to NVC

08/19/2011 - DS-230 received at NVC

09/13/2011- Interview Date Received

09/23/2011- Medical Test

10/24/2011- Interview Date at Chennai @ 1PM

[Navyk 78]

Our marriage certificate shows her married name but her passport and immigration applications it still showing as maiden name. Do you guys think consular officer might raise this issue during her interview? I mean questions like, " why your marriage certificate shows married name(which is my last name) but passport and immigration applications" shows as maiden name as your last name?

Even in the future she decided not to change her maiden name? Will that be a problem or she needs to go back to marriage registrar ofice prior to interview and get an updated marriage certificate with her maiden name?

Please advise us!

02/20/2011 - Married

03/14/2011 - I-130 sent

03/15/2011 - I-130 received

03/18/2011 - NOA1

06/16/2011 - NOA2

07/17/2011 - NVC received

08/06/2011 - Received DS-3032 and I-864 bill

08/06/2011 - Emailed DS-3032 and paid I-864 bill

08/10/2011 - I-864 sent to NVC

08/15/2011 - DS-3032 accepted and IV bill received

08/15/2011 - Paid IV bill

08/18/2011 - DS-230 sent to NVC

08/19/2011 - DS-230 received at NVC

09/13/2011- Interview Date Received

09/23/2011- Medical Test

10/24/2011- Interview Date at Chennai @ 1PM

Not a problem, as long as the name on the Visa application name matches the name on the Passport. If it were an issue, you would have got a RFE from USCIS where you first sent a copy of your marraige with I-130 application with different surnames.

[ganesh86 0]

Thank you Navyk for clarification!

02/20/2011 - Married

03/14/2011 - I-130 sent

03/15/2011 - I-130 received

03/18/2011 - NOA1

06/16/2011 - NOA2

07/17/2011 - NVC received

08/06/2011 - Received DS-3032 and I-864 bill

08/06/2011 - Emailed DS-3032 and paid I-864 bill

08/10/2011 - I-864 sent to NVC

08/15/2011 - DS-3032 accepted and IV bill received

08/15/2011 - Paid IV bill

08/18/2011 - DS-230 sent to NVC

08/19/2011 - DS-230 received at NVC

09/13/2011- Interview Date Received

09/23/2011- Medical Test

10/24/2011- Interview Date at Chennai @ 1PM

[milimelo 4,486]

Why doesn't the spouse change her passport to reflect her married name? That way she will get a green card with the married name. Unless you want to spend $500 to change the GC or wait until removal of conditions time...

[Navyk 78]

Why doesn't the spouse change her passport to reflect her married name? That way she will get a green card with the married name. Unless you want to spend $500 to change the GC or wait until removal of conditions time...

Now it is too late - the interview is on 10/24. The visa will be issued with the name given in DS-230, which should match with the passport. Why take the risk of submitting a revised DS-230 at VFS and get the passport changed. And if she changes at the 2 year mark, there is no additional charge involved.

Edited September 21, 2011 by NavyK