AOS Paperwork - New Last Name???

[Ryan & Amanda 1]

Hey guys. Almost that time to get married!!! Less than 3 weeks now till the big day! I'm trying to get a headstart on our AOS paperwork. I do intend on changing my last name to my new husband's but it's not as high a priority as getting all this stuff out to INS first! I put my married name on the marriage certificate since it's suggested if you ever want to change it. So, my question is for my AOS paperwork, should I put my married last name even though I won't have changed it through social security and such by the time they get it, or put my maiden name?

Will this change have any negative effects on our process??

Thanks!

[C-ma'am 684]

Hey guys. Almost that time to get married!!! Less than 3 weeks now till the big day! I'm trying to get a headstart on our AOS paperwork. I do intend on changing my last name to my new husband's but it's not as high a priority as getting all this stuff out to INS first! I put my married name on the marriage certificate since it's suggested if you ever want to change it. So, my question is for my AOS paperwork, should I put my married last name even though I won't have changed it through social security and such by the time they get it, or put my maiden name?

Will this change have any negative effects on our process??

Thanks!

I hope this helps, I had the same questions you did, and even some more doubts... but everyone cleared them up really well for me http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/370292-name-changes-and-the-order-of-things/

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Hey guys. Almost that time to get married!!! Less than 3 weeks now till the big day! I'm trying to get a headstart on our AOS paperwork. I do intend on changing my last name to my new husband's but it's not as high a priority as getting all this stuff out to INS first! I put my married name on the marriage certificate since it's suggested if you ever want to change it. So, my question is for my AOS paperwork, should I put my married last name even though I won't have changed it through social security and such by the time they get it, or put my maiden name?

Will this change have any negative effects on our process??

Thanks!

It does not need to be changed on the SS card beforehand. You need to use your married name on all the AOS forms, especially if you live in a state where you list the name you will be going by on the marriage license. There are places on the forms to list your previous names used, such as maiden name. The name you use on the forms is the name your EAD/AP and green card will come with. Since you will be legally using your married name from the time you wed, you need to get your green card in that name. It is costly and takes months to get the green card changed after the fact.

[Ryan & Amanda 1]

It does not need to be changed on the SS card beforehand. You need to use your married name on all the AOS forms, especially if you live in a state where you list the name you will be going by on the marriage license. There are places on the forms to list your previous names used, such as maiden name. The name you use on the forms is the name your EAD/AP and green card will come with. Since you will be legally using your married name from the time you wed, you need to get your green card in that name. It is costly and takes months to get the green card changed after the fact.

Oh, sorry, should have mentioned! I'm actually the petitioner. My fiance is the one immigrating

Does this change anything?

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Oh, sorry, should have mentioned! I'm actually the petitioner. My fiance is the one immigrating

Does this change anything?

Ahhh, the USC is the female and the one changing names with marriage. Gotcha. Use your married name on the forms. You do not need to change your SS card first, unless you just want to.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to Adjustment of Status from Family Based Visas forum; OP's questions are about AOS paperwork.

[EminTX 131]

We've been married 2 1/2 months now and the ONLY official name changes that have happened are my SS card and my security badge at my job. (Not my payroll or other stuff, though.)

This is a big pain and I am genuinely shocked at what a pain it has been.

I used my married name because that IS my name. It will certainly be my name when we finally get to the interview (I hope!). It is legal. It is official. Even if it is a slow process.

AOS happens after marriage (and marriage is when the name change occurs--not the documentation of the name change).

Good luck.

[C-ma'am 684]

Oh, sorry, should have mentioned! I'm actually the petitioner. My fiance is the one immigrating

Does this change anything?

Ahhhhhhhhh ok hehehehe

[EminTX 131]

If you have the option to hand carry your signed marriage document back for processing, it might save a bundle of time. We got screwed, even though we did everything by the book and followed every rule. It has added more frustration than necessary and we are STILL in panic state while waiting (and watching the flight prices every day).

Here is the thread that I started about it. The input is worth a read, too. I hope it can save you some stress.

Filing marriage certificate - advice