Changing my Wifes Maiden name???

[AllieJay 0]

Hey everyone,

After a long Visa process my wife and I are finally married yesterday. We never really thought about the name change part however. We are living in NC and the Magistrate at the court house informed us of the "next steps". He told us that we would have to go to the social security office to change her name, but since she isn't a citizen and we haven't filed the I-485 yet, does anyone know how we are going to be able to do this?

After reading most your topics I've seen some say 'Just start using my last name', or 'there is a place on the marriage license that states name change', but non of these seem to apply to NC. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

[bigdog 376]

You can change at SS, and take your marriage certificate. When you apply for AOS fill it out like you want it. We did not do that. The IO changed it for us and ordered the card, with wifes last name as middle no hyphen.

Edited January 11, 2012 by bigdog

[VanessaTony 3,567]

In short the marriage cert is what permits a name change. There are 3 different kids of marriage certificates.

1. Those with name before AND name after marriage on it. If you don't have the "name after" changed then you elected not to change your name and so you can't

2. Those with name AFTER marriage. Some states require signing in the married name. This is why it's important to know your state rules. More than one person has been caught out by putting the maiden name thinking their state is the same as #3 but end up being unable to change the name without a court order.

3. Those with name BEFORE marriage. These are the ones where you can decide to change it or not change it after the wedding or whenever. You don't nominate it on the certificate.

The magistrate told you that it's all good and she can just go to the SSA with it, which means she's done whatever her state requires to nominate the change (probably a #3 situation given you said she isn't a #1 situation). It means her marriage certificate is correct for her state and will allow her to take her new name.

It really is as simple as "just start using it". First thing I did was take the marriage cert to my bank and change my account name. That was so I could start signing my married name. The AOS forms are completed in the married name (if that's the name that's wanted on the GC) and that basically takes care of the USCIS side. She can go to the SSA and change the SSC name or she can wait until she receives the EAD or GC to change it. Basically she just shows the marriage cert to change her name. Once she have ID in the married name she don't need the marriage cert any more.

Basically the USA stuff tends to be controlled by the SSA... but as immigrants our name is usually "controlled" by USCIS so she shouldn't get her SSC in one name and have her GC in another... can make life difficult. So once she changes the SSC name then she can get a licence or ID in her married name. The SSA is supposed to be able to change the name just with the marriage cert but some require proof from USCIS. This takes care of most of your US stuff. She can change her home country passport (makes travel easier) but she doesn't have to.

Edited January 11, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[Nina~ 431]

When you file the AOS, fill out the application using your wife's married name. Once she gets her GC in her married name, she can then go to Social Security and get her name changed there. After that, she can go to DMV and get her name changed in her d/l.

That is what I did, except I filed the AOS in my maiden name. At the interview, I asked the IO to change issue the GC in my married name. However the IO probably forgot and my 2 yr GC was in my maiden name. I was still able to convince SSA to issue a new SS Card with my married name while I went there to lift the restrictions on my card. Once I got my name changed on my SS card, it was easy for me to get my name changed everywhere else.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hey everyone,

After a long Visa process my wife and I are finally married yesterday. We never really thought about the name change part however. We are living in NC and the Magistrate at the court house informed us of the "next steps". He told us that we would have to go to the social security office to change her name, but since she isn't a citizen and we haven't filed the I-485 yet, does anyone know how we are going to be able to do this?

After reading most your topics I've seen some say 'Just start using my last name', or 'there is a place on the marriage license that states name change', but non of these seem to apply to NC. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6727135_change-after-marriage-north-carolina.html

How to Change a Name After Marriage in North Carolina

Changing your name after marriage in North Carolina begins with the official marriage certificate. Your marriage certificate can be used to change and update documents or notify others that your name has officially been changed.

Instructions

1 Contact your local Social Security office. If you do not know where your local office is, consult the Social Security Services office locator website for North Carolina.

2 Obtain an application for Social Security card (SS-5) form from the Social Security office. Generally, most offices have this form available online, or you can obtain a hard copy directly at the office location. Fill in the SS-5 completely.

3 File the SS-5 at your Social Security office. You will need to provide proof of your new name such as your original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate. After your application is reviewed and processed, you will be sent a new Social Security card with your changed name within several weeks.

4 Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Apply for a new driver's license or state ID card using your new Social Security card and marriage certificate. You will be mailed a copy of your new card within two weeks.

5 Use your new Social Security and driver's license/state ID card to change any other official or legal documents--such as your bank account or passport--that need to be updated as a result of your name change.

[Moomin 292]

Just wanted to add to the other excellent answers that if the i94( white arrival/departure record) has less than 2 weeks left on it, it's hard to change the maiden name into married through SSA(or get a SSN), and then you might have to do it after receiving the EAD or greencard.

You didn't fill out your timeline so I don't know when your wife(congratulations) entered the US, I didn't see anybody else mentioning it.

[AllieJay 0]

Thank you so much for the help. I think we are good now!