Name Changes and The Order of things

[Tinchen_ 21]

Applied for an ssn right after the marriage in my married name.didn't wanted to apply and then have to come back and change it and wait for a new card.too much hustle and paperwork.did it all in once

[C-ma'am 684]

Applied for an ssn right after the marriage in my married name.didn't wanted to apply and then have to come back and change it and wait for a new card.too much hustle and paperwork.did it all in once

Yeah this was originally my idea, until I was made aware of the fact I wouldn't have many days left on my i-94 after the wedding and it could have posed a problem

[Tinchen_ 21]

Yeah this was originally my idea, until I was made aware of the fact I wouldn't have many days left on my i-94 after the wedding and it could have posed a problem

oh yeah when it gets too close u dont wanna jeopardize it .totally understand that u never know with the government offices here

[Moomin 292]

Yeah this was originally my idea, until I was made aware of the fact I wouldn't have many days left on my i-94 after the wedding and it could have posed a problem

This is somewhat universal for all agencies checking your immigration/visa status or validity. Less than 14 days left and you're stuck with waiting around until EAD or greencard, in most states.

My state is a bit different though(Indiana). I had it easy(once getting the hang of it), and therefore manage to have SSN in maiden name, then state ID, going back to get a permit, then SSN in married name and then permit in married name. It was all before i-94 expired however, and my name was entered the wrong way at POE in their date base so nothing matched but it took a very short time to correct it though.

[jueribizu 0]

I have some question about this name change as well.

Married last year did not change my name to my husband's last name. I used my last name on my I-130 application

and got an approval.

Now,I'm in the process of sending my AOS, EAD application. On my I-797, my name was under my maiden name still.

Will USCIS issue my documents like my EAD in my husband's last name or do I have to call them or what.

I'm confused about this name change

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Why did you file I-130 separately from I-485?

[C-ma'am 684]

Well, I'm so confused now

Ever since I posted this, I kept on wondering how the whole name thing was done in Virginia.

So, I just called the Court House of C's hometown and spoke with the clerk.... She told me that here, when you get married and you sign the papers, they don't make you choose for the name that will go on the Marriage Certificate; and that it will be issued in my maiden's name. WITH the marriage certificate, THEN, I can go to the SS Office to change my name.

Mr. SS Employee had told me that the only way I could do that, would be if my I-94 wasn't expired or when I had the GC in my hands. So.... Supposedly, I will have time to do it before the I-94 expires: we are getting married on the 16th, which means that, according to the Court Clerk, I will have our marriage certificate by the end of the week to follow.... that puts us around the 22nd of June... and the I-94 expires on July 21st. I would have a month left on it.

What do you think? Because if they don't let me change it, at the SS Office, when I go after the wedding with our certificate in hand..... I will have to file AOS with my maiden name, right?

Here I was thinking I had it all figured out and now I feel lost

Edited June 1, 2012 by Celeste & C

[Caryh 5,206]

Well, I'm so confused now

Ever since I posted this, I kept on wondering how the whole name thing was done in Virginia.

So, I just called the Court House of C's hometown and spoke with the clerk.... She told me that here, when you get married and you sign the papers, they don't make you choose for the name that will go on the Marriage Certificate; and that it will be issued in my maiden's name. WITH the marriage certificate, THEN, I can go to the SS Office to change my name.

Mr. SS Employee had told me that the only way I could do that, would be if my I-94 wasn't expired or when I had the GC in my hands. So.... Supposedly, I will have time to do it before the I-94 expires: we are getting married on the 16th, which means that, according to the Court Clerk, I will have our marriage certificate by the end of the week to follow.... that puts us around the 22nd of June... and the I-94 expires on July 21st. I would have a month left on it.

What do you think? Because if they don't let me change it, at the SS Office, when I go after the wedding with our certificate in hand..... I will have to file AOS with my maiden name, right?

Here I was thinking I had it all figured out and now I feel lost

You're fine. Just go to the SS office with the marriage certificate and change it. You do not need to file the AOS in your maiden name even if the SS office gives you trouble. The marriage gives you the right to take on your husbands name. USCIS deals with the names being different from the original name all the time with AOS from K-1's. They're also very aware many states do not put the new married name on the marriage certificate. Your file is tracked by your Alien Number and receipt number.

[C-ma'am 684]

You're fine. Just go to the SS office with the marriage certificate and change it. You do not need to file the AOS in your maiden name even if the SS office gives you trouble. The marriage gives you the right to take on your husbands name. USCIS deals with the names being different from the original name all the time with AOS from K-1's. They're also very aware many states do not put the new married name on the marriage certificate. Your file is tracked by your Alien Number and receipt number.

Oh thank you, Caryh!!! Thank you! What would I do without VJ!?

I feel more at ease, now

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Celeste, your original plan was perfect. You can use your married name once you get married. Your docs (SS Card) will be a bit slower in getting "updated" but they are still 100% valid. File AOS in married name, just like your original plan.

I am not sure where people get the idea that your SS Card controls your name. It does not. A SS Card is NOT a national ID number.

[C-ma'am 684]

Celeste, your original plan was perfect. You can use your married name once you get married. Your docs (SS Card) will be a bit slower in getting "updated" but they are still 100% valid. File AOS in married name, just like your original plan.

I am not sure where people get the idea that your SS Card controls your name. It does not. A SS Card is NOT a national ID number.

Thank you <3 I'll stick to my plan! I guess that was my conception too and I never bothered to ask anybody about it; and, until just now, no one had educated me otherwise.

I really appreciate the help!

[Moomin 292]

Well, I'm so confused now

Ever since I posted this, I kept on wondering how the whole name thing was done in Virginia.

So, I just called the Court House of C's hometown and spoke with the clerk.... She told me that here, when you get married and you sign the papers, they don't make you choose for the name that will go on the Marriage Certificate; and that it will be issued in my maiden's name. WITH the marriage certificate, THEN, I can go to the SS Office to change my name.

Mr. SS Employee had told me that the only way I could do that, would be if my I-94 wasn't expired or when I had the GC in my hands. So.... Supposedly, I will have time to do it before the I-94 expires: we are getting married on the 16th, which means that, according to the Court Clerk, I will have our marriage certificate by the end of the week to follow.... that puts us around the 22nd of June... and the I-94 expires on July 21st. I would have a month left on it.

What do you think? Because if they don't let me change it, at the SS Office, when I go after the wedding with our certificate in hand..... I will have to file AOS with my maiden name, right?

Here I was thinking I had it all figured out and now I feel lost

Most county clerk's offices allow walk-ins, so your certified marriage certificate will be handed to you on the spot - the price vary from place to place. No need to wait. Get a few certified copies when you're there anyways. And on your way home, swing by SSA.

My marriage cert. is in maiden name. A simple "I will be using my husband's last name from now on" was enough for the SS employee.

File AOS in the name you want to use in the future. If that's your husband's last name, then fill out all forms with married name. At your biometrics appointment, bring a certified copy of marriage certificate to (once again) prove your identity with married name.