name changing for BOTH partners - pt 2

[rkk1 34]

Hi all. So after some discussion between us, my fiance and I decided that we'd both change our names after we get married in his country... in 2 weeks. (For anyone interested in the drama aspect, see my other thread.) This post is in regards to the legalities of us both changing our names. I am wondering if it's better for us to try to change our names in India at the time of marriage registration of if we should just apply for both of our name changes after he gets to the US next year. I am planning on keeping my maiden name as my middle name and taking his last name as my surname. And he is planning on keeping his surname as is, but on adding my maiden name as his middle name. So essentially we will both have the same middle and last names once we change our names.

Here are some things I am wondering:

1. Would it be possible for BOTH of us to change our names at the the time or marriage registration, the day after the wedding? He doesn't know if he'd be required to post a newspaper announcement, or if he'd have to bribe the registrar to do this (again), or if it's possible for a guy to get a new middle name without having to go through the courts. He was wondering if both of us should just wait to change our names in the US, but then his accounts in India would still have his old name. I think he'll need to drop by his local court this week to check on this issue. We think it might be easier for a girl to change her name after marriage than a guy.

2. My fiance was also concerned about the affects of the name change on his I-130 application, as his current passport won't match with his new name (as it would have his old name on it). I told him I didn't think it's that big of a deal since he has the same first and last name, but he things there would still be an issue with a new middle name. I am already working on putting together our I-130 application, and I was going to put both of our new names on the form (and just put our old names on the 'other name' section). I hope that would be sufficient. He is confused whether he should wait to change his passport after the visa is approved, or if he should change now (and hope there won't be a problem, since the I-130 application would be submitted before he goes to change the passport).

Can anyone shed ANY light on these issues? I'd be most grateful. I was thinking that part 1 of my question might be better in the 'regional' discussion; while part 2 of my question here is more of a non-country-specific CR-1 issue in general.

Edited November 3, 2011 by rkk1