Just Married! ... now what ><

[josiebauer 0]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking here lately, and now I want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

I just got married on the 7th. I had already gotten my immigration physical. Now we are just waiting for the marriage certificate and my long form birth certificate to file for AoS.

Will there be an issue that I won't have *any* ID in my married name? I can't get a new passport without a new drivers license, can't get a drivers license without leaving the country. We didn't intend to get married when I crossed the border in March, but one thing lead to another and this is the situation we're in.

My husband and I are living in the house that he's renting with 2 roommates - I can't get my name on anything really because it's part way through a year long lease.

He has already added me to his health insurance, so that's something at least. We're also thinking of putting me on his cell plan. We're already planning on getting notarized affidavits from family/friends. Is there anything else I should be looking for as proof of relationship?

Thanks.

[Inky 1,111]

Can you get a state ID?

Can you get put on a joint bank account or as an authorized user on a credit card?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It does not matter that you do not have any ID in married name. Your marriage cert is a valid name change document. Your proof sounds fine to me, for newlyweds. You will have a mandatory interview anyway, so the IO will meet you both and see you are a couple. You will probably have more proof by then anyway. Good luck!

[josiebauer 0]

Sadly I can't get any state ID - I've looked into getting ID in my married name, I need a drivers license to change my passport, I need an SSN for a drivers license, and I need to pretty much be through the AOS process to get my SSN. It's a terrible loop LOL

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Sadly I can't get any state ID - I've looked into getting ID in my married name, I need a drivers license to change my passport, I need an SSN for a drivers license, and I need to pretty much be through the AOS process to get my SSN. It's a terrible loop LOL

Just apply for AOS in your married name. It does not matter that you have no other ID in married name. See my response above.

[josiebauer 0]

Just apply for AOS in your married name. It does not matter that you have no other ID in married name. See my response above.

Thanks Good to know

[Teddy B 17,252]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking here lately, and now I want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

I just got married on the 7th. I had already gotten my immigration physical. Now we are just waiting for the marriage certificate and my long form birth certificate to file for AoS.

Will there be an issue that I won't have *any* ID in my married name? I can't get a new passport without a new drivers license, can't get a drivers license without leaving the country. We didn't intend to get married when I crossed the border in March, but one thing lead to another and this is the situation we're in.

My husband and I are living in the house that he's renting with 2 roommates - I can't get my name on anything really because it's part way through a year long lease.

He has already added me to his health insurance, so that's something at least. We're also thinking of putting me on his cell plan. We're already planning on getting notarized affidavits from family/friends. Is there anything else I should be looking for as proof of relationship?

Thanks.

Have your husband add you as an authorized user in your married name on his credit cards, there is no formal id needed for this. He can also add you onto his health insurance at work, and to his bank account, a social security number is not required by law for these. You may have to explain this to the health insurance company and the bank, but once they look into it, you should be fine. He should also be able to add you onto his auto insurance policy, even though you may not be legally able to drive in the US without a valid license, your name will still be on the policy as evidence of a relationship. Start having things sent to your new address in your married name such as magazine subscriptions and get on the mailing lists for pamphlets and advertisements from department stores.

I'm not sure what you mean by getting a new passport, is your Canadian passport expired?

[josiebauer 0]

Have your husband add you as an authorized user in your married name on his credit cards, there is no formal id needed for this. He can also add you onto his health insurance at work, and to his bank account, a social security number is not required by law for these. You may have to explain this to the health insurance company and the bank, but once they look into it, you should be fine. He should also be able to add you onto his auto insurance policy, even though you may not be legally able to drive in the US without a valid license, your name will still be on the policy as evidence of a relationship. Start having things sent to your new address in your married name such as magazine subscriptions and get on the mailing lists for pamphlets and advertisements from department stores.

I'm not sure what you mean by getting a new passport, is your Canadian passport expired?

I would get a new passport to reflect my new name if I could

[KazuriSana 324]

Relax please! Your worries about maiden or married name are...

You just got married, the IO will not expect you to bring the same proof as folks that have been married since Sen. McCain was in Kindergarten. Furthermore, the IO already knows you cannot obtain some of these proofs without an SSN, and you can not get the SSN before your EAD, in most cases if you are adjusting from visitor/tourist/work et al visa.

Try getting into a joint bank account, (Bank of America will add you to his account or even allow you to open an account with your passport (maiden name or married name!) without an SSN card)

The name on your ID is really a non issue as long as it is either your maiden name or your married name. Even when you have to travel by air, or re-enter the US, your marriage certificate accompanying your passport (in maiden name) and a GC (in married name) breezes you through. A lot of women are choosing to keep their maiden names and it is a non-issue with USCIS (I may be wrong on this, but I doubt).

SO, stop worrying and work on your forms. Best wishes in your marriage, and your immigration journey!

[ValerieA 350]

I would get a new passport to reflect my new name if I could

If you want to change your name on your Canadian passport, you have send in an application with all related documents required (proof of citizenship - which would be current passport, passport photos, and fees), along with your marriage certificate. Unfortunately, you can't just renew when you want a name change, you have to send a new application, which is why I am waiting until mine is close to expiry. You do not need a drivers' license.

Also, IMHO it is not necessary to change the name on your passport for the AOS process. You will have enough evidence without it, and I don't think they would consider it very solid evidence anyway, as it is so easy to do.