How to change name for AOS paperwork....

[joventud3 0]

Hello all,

I was under the impression that the name change would be applied on the actual marriage certificate. However, in PA there are absolutely no options to change names on the marriage license or certificate. My fiance is from Mexico and has a first name, no middle name, and two last names (the last name is the same last name twice) ex. Cindy Smith Smith.

She wants to change it to her first name, old last name as middle name (removing one repeated name) and my last name as her last name.

ex. Cindy Smith Jones

We received her social security name with her current maiden name two weeks after she entered the country. After marriage is it possible to make these changes with the marriage certificate at the SS office? Then use this new name on all of the AOS paperwork?

Thanks all!!!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Hello all,

I was under the impression that the name change would be applied on the actual marriage certificate. However, in PA there are absolutely no options to change names on the marriage license or certificate. My fiance is from Mexico and has a first name, no middle name, and two last names (the last name is the same last name twice) ex. Cindy Smith Smith.

She wants to change it to her first name, old last name as middle name (removing one repeated name) and my last name as her last name.

ex. Cindy Smith Jones

We received her social security name with her current maiden name two weeks after she entered the country. After marriage is it possible to make these changes with the marriage certificate at the SS office? Then use this new name on all of the AOS paperwork?

Thanks all!!!

You can send the AOS paperwork with her married name on all the forms even before changing her SS card. The copy of your certified marriage certificate you send in when filing AOS is the legal document needed for changing her last name to yours. You can go to the SSA and have her name changed with the marriage certificate too, but be aware that sometimes they will not do it without the EAD or green card, even though they should.

[Anh map 2,098]

Did she take your name through marriage? Typically you would have indicated this on the marriage license application.

If her legal name is now HerFirst HerOldLast YourLast then use that when submitting the Adjustment of Status paperwork.

Edited June 1, 2012 by Anh map

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Did she take your name through marriage? Typically you would have indicated this on the marriage license application.

Not all states have you enter the name you wish to use after marriage though. He stated his state of PA does not, and my state of FL does not either. You just use the marriage certificate to change your name on your IDs, accounts and SS card.

OP> If she intends to legally use your name as hers from now on, then she needs to fill out the AOS forms with the new married name, as that is the name her EAD/AP and green card will come with.

[joventud3 0]

Their is no option to change the name on the marriage license or certificate in PA. Jay Kay so I can mail all the AOS after marriage with the new name and marriage certificate and then go to the SS office to change the name for the SSC sometime after that ?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Their is no option to change the name on the marriage license or certificate in PA. Jay Kay so I can mail all the AOS after marriage with the new name and marriage certificate and then go to the SS office to change the name for the SSC sometime after that ?

This is what I did (minus the SS part, I already had that in my married name before I filed AOS) ... I simply filled out all of my AOS paperwork in my married name, and included my marriage certificate. My EAD/AP card came in my married name, as will my green card.

You can go to the social security office and change the name on your card if you'd like. It's not a must, but bring your ID and marriage certificate and if you get someone who knows what they're doing, it shouldn't be a problem. I believe some people have been told to wait for their green card, though, not sure why.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Their is no option to change the name on the marriage license or certificate in PA. Jay Kay so I can mail all the AOS after marriage with the new name and marriage certificate and then go to the SS office to change the name for the SSC sometime after that ?

Yes.

[C-ma'am 684]

Ok! I just posted this issue on the post I started earlier this week!

So! If I understand correctly, even if the marriage certificate comes back as Celeste Awesome (yes I have a few ego issues) and Craig AsAwesomeAsCeleste are now married (or whatever it says ) I can file the AOS paperwork as Celeste AsAwesomeAsCeleste? And later on change the SS with EAD or GC in hand?

Is this correct?

In VA, they don't let you sign the licence with your married name either.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

In Wisconsin, I didn't have the option of 'officially' changing my name on the license/certificate either. All I've done is use my marriage certificate as proof that I'm changing my name and what I'm changing it to. I've used this for my SSN, driver's license, state ID, and all my AOS paperwork.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Ok! I just posted this issue on the post I started earlier this week!

So! If I understand correctly, even if the marriage certificate comes back as Celeste Awesome (yes I have a few ego issues) and Craig AsAwesomeAsCeleste are now married (or whatever it says ) I can file the AOS paperwork as Celeste AsAwesomeAsCeleste? And later on change the SS with EAD or GC in hand?

Is this correct?

In VA, they don't let you sign the licence with your married name either.

Yes. If you are going to take his last name as yours from now on, then you fill out your AOS paperwork with your new married name. The marriage certificate is the legal document that allows you to change your name to his. Your EAD/AP and green card will come in whatever name you provide on the AOS forms, so you want to use your married name because it costs a lot to change the green card later on. You should be able to change your name on your SS card with the marriage certificate too, but some officers at the SSA insist you cannot and need the EAD or green card first. You don't actually, but it is hard to argue with them sometimes. If you are going to wait to change it, I would wait for the green card so you can get the notation removed and your name changed at the same time.