Choosing Middle Name for AOS

[ScottMelanie 4]

My filipina fiancee has an interesting question. Her middle name is presently her mother's maiden name, which is the custom in the Philippines. Philippine custom is that when a woman gets married, her middle name changes from her mother's maiden name to her father's (and of course, her) family name, and her last name becomes her husband's family name.

Because our own customs in the USA are different, I think that immigration may want to use her current middle name as her middle name on the application, however that is not correct with her culture (her present last name should become her middle name).

I understand all the above is complicated, but filipinas will understand. Do any of you have experience with this, and please tell us what you did.

Thank you,

Scott and Melanie

[LindaC1990 23]

I believe you can't change your middle name through marriage in the U.S.

You need a court order which only apply to US citizen.

If a foreigner wants to change middle or first name, it has to be done in their home country.

Then you can change your passport name, eventually the name on GC, DL etc..

Let's see if anyone has different opinions.

[Scott & Annie 19]

My filipina fiancee has an interesting question. Her middle name is presently her mother's maiden name, which is the custom in the Philippines. Philippine custom is that when a woman gets married, her middle name changes from her mother's maiden name to her father's (and of course, her) family name, and her last name becomes her husband's family name.

Because our own customs in the USA are different, I think that immigration may want to use her current middle name as her middle name on the application, however that is not correct with her culture (her present last name should become her middle name).

I understand all the above is complicated, but filipinas will understand. Do any of you have experience with this, and please tell us what you did.

Thank you,

Scott and Melanie

We had the same situation. When my wife (fiance) came to the US, we had her initial SS Number issued under her maiden name (same format as she had in Phils, first name:mother's maiden name:father's sir name).

When we applied for our marriage license, we requested her name be legally changed to include her fathers sir name as middle name and my sir name as her last name. We married and her name was changed and this was written on the marriage license.

We then went back to SS office and had her name changed on her SS card to her new married name.

We filed AOS with her "new" name. We have never had any issue whatsoever with this name change format. Her EAD/AP and Green Card are all issued under her married name.

Typically, when you file the marriage license application, they will ask what do you want your name to be after you're married. This is a legal name change in the US.

PS: I think typically in the US, this is the same format after marriage, first name:fathers sir name:husbands sir name. Not sure why you say "Because our own customs in the USA are different".

Edited June 26, 2012 by Scott & Annie

[Scott & Annie 19]

Oh PSS: We did her "Report of Marriage" at the Philippine embassy in DC back in April. They recognized her married name as her new name. It is my understanding that this will be her new name in Phils as well.

Since she has a newer Phils passport, the one with the microchip (exp 2015), they would not do a PP amendment because they can't change the data on the chip. So we kept her PP that has her maiden name. We just carry marriage license, GC, etc. when we travel to explain the discrepancy.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

We had the same situation. When my wife (fiance) came to the US, we had her initial SS Number issued under her maiden name (same format as she had in Phils, first name:mother's maiden name:father's sir name).

When we applied for our marriage license, we requested her name be legally changed to include her fathers sir name as middle name and my sir name as her last name. We married and her name was changed and this was written on the marriage license.

We then went back to SS office and had her name changed on her SS card to her new married name.

We filed AOS with her "new" name. We have never had any issue whatsoever with this name change format. Her EAD/AP and Green Card are all issued under her married name.

Typically, when you file the marriage license application, they will ask what do you want your name to be after you're married. This is a legal name change in the US.

PS: I think typically in the US, this is the same format after marriage, first name:fathers sir name:husbands sir name. Not sure why you say "Because our own customs in the USA are different".

That works out well and easily if you live in a state that has you put your choice for your name after marriage on the license. Many states do not have that option though, and there are states that do not allow you to change your first or middle name through marriage. You need to check with the laws of your own state.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If the middle name thing doesn't work out, you can use a two-name last name with no hyphen, so she would be Wife Mother's Father's Husband's. The last two would be in the last name field. It's not exactly right, but if she just drops the middle name (which she will in most instances anyway) it's close. I believe this is a spanish custom, so you also might go ask latin America forums what they have done.

[BobCray 5]

I believe you can't change your middle name through marriage in the U.S.

My wife, US citizen did exactly this, as did my sister-in-law and most of the married ladies I know here in North Carolina. This custom seems to be the norm here in the South.

Previously <first name> <mother's maiden name> <father's surname>

After marriage <first name> <father's surname> <husband's surname>

In fact from what the SS office told us, after marriage you can call yourself anything you like.

Edited June 26, 2012 by BobCray

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

My wife, US citizen did exactly this, as did my sister-in-law and most of the married ladies I know here in North Carolina. This custom seems to be the norm here in the South.

Previously <first name> <mother's maiden name> <father's surname>

After marriage <first name> <father's surname> <husband's surname>

In fact from what the SS office told us, after marriage you can call yourself anything you like.

According to the SSA, I was allowed to change my name to just my husband's family surname instead of taking both, which is customary in Mexico. However, I had to return to the SSA to get my name changed for a second time on my SS card to include both names because I could not get my drivers license in the state of FL without my name matching exactly to his as shown on the marriage certificate. The SS card doesn't act as an ID, nor control your name on your ID here, so it was a moot point that the SSA allowed me to choose which name I wanted to use. SSA blamed the DMV and the DMV blamed the SSA. It also matters whether or not the state allows you to choose what name you will go by after marriage and lists that name clearly on the marriage license. Here in FL, they do not. As I said, people should check with the rules, regulations and laws of their own state.

[BobCray 5]

I agree, I was just answering LindaC1990's statement.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I agree, I was just answering LindaC1990's statement.

Ahh, gotcha. Yes, some states do allow you to change the middle name. Still a good idea that everyone reading this thread knows it is a state by state issue. Plus, it never hurts for me to rant about my state's annoying policies

[ScottMelanie 4]

We had the same situation. When my wife (fiance) came to the US, we had her initial SS Number issued under her maiden name (same format as she had in Phils, first name:mother's maiden name:father's sir name).

When we applied for our marriage license, we requested her name be legally changed to include her fathers sir name as middle name and my sir name as her last name. We married and her name was changed and this was written on the marriage license.

We then went back to SS office and had her name changed on her SS card to her new married name.

We filed AOS with her "new" name. We have never had any issue whatsoever with this name change format. Her EAD/AP and Green Card are all issued under her married name.

Typically, when you file the marriage license application, they will ask what do you want your name to be after you're married. This is a legal name change in the US.

PS: I think typically in the US, this is the same format after marriage, first name:fathers sir name:husbands sir name. Not sure why you say "Because our own customs in the USA are different".

Thank you, that was very helpful and appreciated.

I don't think it is typical for an American woman to take her father's family name as her middle name at marriage. I have never seen that done myself.

Thanks again for your kind reply.

Scott and Mel

[Scott & Annie 19]

Thank you, that was very helpful and appreciated.

I don't think it is typical for an American woman to take her father's family name as her middle name at marriage. I have never seen that done myself.

Thanks again for your kind reply.

Scott and Mel

Well, you're most welcome.

This name format must be a regional thing, maybe here in the southeast. I know a lot of ladies that did this. I also noticed BobCray says he knows many ladies that did that, so maybe a southern thing.

But regardless of what your wife wants to do, my original post was saying you may be able to do this when you get married via the marriage license application. Of course several people stated the obvious. That it would depend on your local/state laws if she can legally change her name when you guys marry. If your wife wants to use her father's sir name as her middle name, I think it can be easily done though.

Good Luck with everything!

[Thx 1]

On form g-325a, how would specify "other names used" when filing Adjustment of Status using the new married name?

Do you write:

1. <father's surname>, <first name> <mother's maiden name>, or

2. <first name> <mother's maiden name> <father's surname>, or

3. <father's surname>

The sample form only shows maiden last name (#3 above).

I've looked everywhere for the answer... I know this an old thread, but I hope someone can answer. Otherwise, I'll ask in a new thread soon.

Thanks!

My wife, US citizen did exactly this, as did my sister-in-law and most of the married ladies I know here in North Carolina. This custom seems to be the norm here in the South.

Previously <first name> <mother's maiden name> <father's surname>

After marriage <first name> <father's surname> <husband's surname>

In fact from what the SS office told us, after marriage you can call yourself anything you like.

Edited August 27, 2016 by Thx