Name Changes and The Order of things

[C-ma'am 684]

I went to get my SS# today (mission accomplished) and while I was there, I figured I would ask Mr. SS Employee about changing my name after the wedding and how I would go about changing it on the card later on.

His response threw me off and was not what I was expecting; but since I don't want to confuse others, and I'm pretty sure I know the correct answer, I'll just want to double check my steps with you.

Bare in mind that we are getting married in June 16th and the deadline on the i-94 is July 21st, so I had to get it with my maiden name because of this... so:

Step 1: Get a SS# with maiden name before the i-94 expired or had less than 15 days on it - CHECK!

Step 2: Get married and obtain marriage certificate:

Step 3: With marriage certificate in hands, apply for AOS AND HERE COMES THE TRICK Fill out the forms with my married name (or the name I will adopt after marriage rather)

Step 4: With AOS complete, or at least EAD in hand, go back to the Social Security Office and change the name on the card to Celeste MarriedtoC

Are these the correct steps? How did you do it? (assuming you got your SS# before marriage with your maiden name on it)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Perfect!

[C-ma'am 684]

Perfect!

Oh YAY! Thank you! I'll do that then... no more paperwork until after the wedding ... In Argentina we say: Those who burn themselves with milk, see a cow and cry. That's how I feel about forms LOL

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

That's a cute saying

[Caryh 5,206]

I went to get my SS# today (mission accomplished) and while I was there, I figured I would ask Mr. SS Employee about changing my name after the wedding and how I would go about changing it on the card later on.

His response threw me off and was not what I was expecting; but since I don't want to confuse others, and I'm pretty sure I know the correct answer, I'll just want to double check my steps with you.

Bare in mind that we are getting married in June 16th and the deadline on the i-94 is July 21st, so I had to get it with my maiden name because of this... so:

Step 1: Get a SS# with maiden name before the i-94 expired or had less than 15 days on it - CHECK!

Step 2: Get married and obtain marriage certificate:

Step 3: With marriage certificate in hands, apply for AOS AND HERE COMES THE TRICK Fill out the forms with my married name (or the name I will adopt after marriage rather)

Step 4: With AOS complete, or at least EAD in hand, go back to the Social Security Office and change the name on the card to Celeste MarriedtoC

Are these the correct steps? How did you do it? (assuming you got your SS# before marriage with your maiden name on it)

Different states have different ways of taking on the new name after marriage. In my own state you give your names after marriage right in the form you use to get your marriage license. After marriage you can then bring your marriage certificate to the SS office and change your name. No waiting on the EAD or green card because the marriage certificate documents the name change for you. But yes, its always good to apply for the AOS/EAD/AP in the new married name. Otherwise you're stuck with the maiden name until you remove conditions or you can also send back the green card, pay a huge fee and wait again to get the replacement card in the new name.

[C-ma'am 684]

Different states have different ways of taking on the new name after marriage. In my own state you give your names after marriage right in the form you use to get your marriage license. After marriage you can then bring your marriage certificate to the SS office and change your name. No waiting on the EAD or green card because the marriage certificate documents the name change for you. But yes, its always good to apply for the AOS/EAD/AP in the new married name. Otherwise you're stuck with the maiden name until you remove conditions or you can also send back the green card, pay a huge fee and wait again to get the replacement card in the new name.

Ahhh ok gotcha! We got our marriage license in VA and were given all the stuff that our Minister will need for the ceremony. So, I suppose I'll be able to sign as Celeste MarriedtoC there, as you say.

Any Virginians that can corroborate?

I can always get a hold of our Minister and ask him, right? He should know!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Ugh, useless complication

USCIS is a federal agency, as as such, accepts your marriage cert as proof of name change. SSA will also accept a marriage cert as proof of name change. However, training SSA employees to change a SSN based on a K-1 after I-94 expiration can be tough. Also, you don't need it in your married name. Also, you probably want to get an unrestricted card and update your status once you get the GC (and the name). I say don't waste trips there, just update the name when you get the GC. You can use your name as soon as you are married... it's just that your docs might be a little slower in updating.

[C-ma'am 684]

Ugh, useless complication

USCIS is a federal agency, as as such, accepts your marriage cert as proof of name change. SSA will also accept a marriage cert as proof of name change. However, training SSA employees to change a SSN based on a K-1 after I-94 expiration can be tough. Also, you don't need it in your married name. Also, you probably want to get an unrestricted card and update your status once you get the GC (and the name). I say don't waste trips there, just update the name when you get the GC. You can use your name as soon as you are married... it's just that your docs might be a little slower in updating.

Understood

Thank you both!

[LeilaLyn 4]

I went to get my SS# today (mission accomplished) and while I was there, I figured I would ask Mr. SS Employee about changing my name after the wedding and how I would go about changing it on the card later on.

His response threw me off and was not what I was expecting; but since I don't want to confuse others, and I'm pretty sure I know the correct answer, I'll just want to double check my steps with you.

Bare in mind that we are getting married in June 16th and the deadline on the i-94 is July 21st, so I had to get it with my maiden name because of this... so:

Step 1: Get a SS# with maiden name before the i-94 expired or had less than 15 days on it - CHECK!

Step 2: Get married and obtain marriage certificate:

Step 3: With marriage certificate in hands, apply for AOS AND HERE COMES THE TRICK Fill out the forms with my married name (or the name I will adopt after marriage rather)

Step 4: With AOS complete, or at least EAD in hand, go back to the Social Security Office and change the name on the card to Celeste MarriedtoC

Are these the correct steps? How did you do it? (assuming you got your SS# before marriage with your maiden name on it)

Celes! Thats the same i did, and for my name change i only waited for the NOA, not even my EAD.

As you just said, i applied for AOS, and with my NOA letter in hand (it, of course, had my married name) i went to back to the SS office. Few days after i had my new SS card at home!!!

[C-ma'am 684]

Celes! Thats the same i did, and for my name change i only waited for the NOA, not even my EAD.

As you just said, i applied for AOS, and with my NOA letter in hand (it, of course, had my married name) i went to back to the SS office. Few days after i had my new SS card at home!!!

Awesome girl! We had an extra long weekend because C didn't have to go to work today, but I'll be free tomorrow. Email me and let me know if you have time to Skype so we can catch up!

Thanks for the info!!!

[didopage 337]

That's what I did, I still have Step 4 to do though. The SS employee told me to go back with my EAD and marriage certificate to do the name change on my SS card.

[moemac59 192]

Different states have different ways of taking on the new name after marriage. In my own state you give your names after marriage right in the form you use to get your marriage license. After marriage you can then bring your marriage certificate to the SS office and change your name. No waiting on the EAD or green card because the marriage certificate documents the name change for you. But yes, its always good to apply for the AOS/EAD/AP in the new married name. Otherwise you're stuck with the maiden name until you remove conditions or you can also send back the green card, pay a huge fee and wait again to get the replacement card in the new name.

Is everything issued (AOS/EAD/AP) in the maiden name if you come in on a K1 visa? Just curious because I have decided to keep my maiden name after marriage..don't want the hassle of having to change my passport etc over to married name.

[C-ma'am 684]

Is everything issued (AOS/EAD/AP) in the maiden name if you come in on a K1 visa? Just curious because I have decided to keep my maiden name after marriage..don't want the hassle of having to change my passport etc over to married name.

Everything should be issued with the name of choice. Since there is no obligation to change your name, you'll just have to send everything with you name as it is now. As you said, it'll actually be less hassle

[moemac59 192]

Everything should be issued with the name of choice. Since there is no obligation to change your name, you'll just have to send everything with you name as it is now. As you said, it'll actually be less hassle

Thanks Celeste! Much appreciated.

[Diana and Chris 25]

I went to get my SS# today (mission accomplished) and while I was there, I figured I would ask Mr. SS Employee about changing my name after the wedding and how I would go about changing it on the card later on.

His response threw me off and was not what I was expecting; but since I don't want to confuse others, and I'm pretty sure I know the correct answer, I'll just want to double check my steps with you.

Bare in mind that we are getting married in June 16th and the deadline on the i-94 is July 21st, so I had to get it with my maiden name because of this... so:

Step 1: Get a SS# with maiden name before the i-94 expired or had less than 15 days on it - CHECK!

Step 2: Get married and obtain marriage certificate:

Step 3: With marriage certificate in hands, apply for AOS AND HERE COMES THE TRICK Fill out the forms with my married name (or the name I will adopt after marriage rather)

Step 4: With AOS complete, or at least EAD in hand, go back to the Social Security Office and change the name on the card to Celeste MarriedtoC

Are these the correct steps? How did you do it? (assuming you got your SS# before marriage with your maiden name on it)

According to the officer in my SS office you can change your name to your married name as long as you have a valid I-94 and a marriage certificate!!!! So, as long as you go to the SS office before the 3 months are over you can still do it! No need to wait for the green card to do so.