Two Latino Surnames - Eliminating One During AOS Possible?

[monyfer 27]

I searched for a thread about this and responded to an older one recently but I am still quite unclear.

My fiancé has two last names, as is common in Latin America. To avoid confusion here in the US (since more often than not, people in the US refer to the second (maternal) last name when in fact Latinos go most often by their first (paternal) last name) we want to eliminate his maternal last name and just keep his first and one last (paternal) name.

Is this possible and legal to do without causing problems?

I thought I had read somewhere on here to put the one last name you want and then list the full name under "other names used". But from looking at the AOS forms that would only be on G-325A where we would state his full name as "other names used" and then shorten it on all other forms. Is this correct? How much problems will this cause if it is different from the name on his passport, I-94, etc, etc.

I don't want to cause any hiccups in the process or make things more complicated. If there is an easy way to do it, and it is generally accepted and understood what we are doing by the immigration authorities, we would like to do so. Anyone with experience doing so successfully please let me know...

[DerZinker 4]

Yeah trust me I know all about name confusion I've been living in Mexico 7 years and people I know best still mess up my last name.

I'm sorry I don't really have an answer, but I've wondered pretty much the same thing and would like to add to your question if I may. My wife never legally changed her name as we were married in Mexico and she just still has her Maiden name on all her documentation (or the two latino surnames as it were).

I don't plan on bothering with the name change anytime soon since it would just complicate our visa process, but I also noticed on the application for citizenship (can't remember which form it is), that there is a line item with something like 'desired name' or of the like. Would this be the best opportunity for her to change her name to my (single) last name many years down the road? Could someone applying for citizenship put just about anything there and be able to legally change their name to like 'John Wayne' or something? I'm just wondering, but please answer the OP's question first.. don't want to steal anyones thunder

Edited October 13, 2011 by DerZinker

[paojack 41]

I believe he can change his name after marriage in his SS card. I dropped both of my last names and took my now husband's last name and all my AOS forms are with my new last name. I think he can even get your last name, in case you don't want to get his.

Edit: Oh and yeah, I put both of my last names in 'other names used'

Edited October 13, 2011 by paojack

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Not sure about hiccups, but seems like you should be able to do that.

My husband took the easy route and just kept both to match his passport and everything, and both names are used on his legal stuff like SS card, ID, passport, and green card. However, he just goes by his paternal name most of the time, and uses just that name on our accounts like at the bank and such. I also only took his paternal name as my married name as well, and not both.

[monyfer 27]

Not sure about hiccups, but seems like you should be able to do that.

My husband took the easy route and just kept both to match his passport and everything, and both names are used on his legal stuff like SS card, ID, passport, and green card. However, he just goes by his paternal name most of the time, and uses just that name on our accounts like at the bank and such. I also only took his paternal name as my married name as well, and not both.

Thanks. THinking of going this route to keep everything simple. Just using two names on all the legal documentation but using the paternal name on bank accounts, insurance cards, etc. This has never been a problem for you guys? IE his legal ID differs from the name on bank count slightly?

[ateneaalexander 10]

it wont cause any problem using only one last name, two might do like it did to me i used my 2 last names in school and they always put my second last name as my middle name :/ since in the u.s they only use one last name (firts) so you can use his firts last name on the forms for AOS.

Theres a question where they will be asking to write down name as in passport/visa, in that case you use the 2 (like in passport/visa.

[Pooh Pee 1]

When you get married, you and your husband have the option to change your names easily. You can change it to anything you want. Before you mentioned that you want to change it after the church ceremony. My advice is to be consistant. Once you have the legal documents to prove your name change there should be no problem. I would not recommend using different names on banks or things like that. One option you might consider is to change your names at the wedding. Use your husband's last name (paternal)from then on. You can refer to yourself with your maiden name informally until your church ceremony but legally have your husband's paternal last name. Use your new names for all business and legal documents. This will keep things less complicated.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Thanks. THinking of going this route to keep everything simple. Just using two names on all the legal documentation but using the paternal name on bank accounts, insurance cards, etc. This has never been a problem for you guys? IE his legal ID differs from the name on bank count slightly?

Nope. Haven't had any problems with his ID having both names on it, but the accounts only having the paternal. The bank even asked us what we wanted to use when I added him to my account as joint owner. I think the only thing that would need to be in both names would be plane tickets to match the passport exactly.

Most states don't allow the man to change his name because of marriage, but some do. You could check to see if your state allows the man to change his name too.