U.S. Citizen Changing name during AOS

[bctoboston11 0]

I know how to switch our address (which we already will have to do in a few weeks), but how about if the US CITIZEN changes her name?

I was planning to do so in the next few weeks, or should I just wait until after my husband's AOS is approved?

If I do it now, anyone know what kind of forms I have to fill out?

[raymaga 25]

The US citizen does not have to do anything about their change of name. Did you put your new married name on the AOS forms? Plus, you had to send along your marriage certificate, so that is all that is necessary.

Edited October 19, 2006 by raymaga

[bctoboston11 0]

Thanks for answering all my questions tonight! :-)

I did not use my new married name on all my AOS forms. We got legally married months ago and I was waiting for our actual wedding day to change my name (we hadn't told all our family about the legal marriage thing).

So it won't matter for me?

The US citizen does not have to do anything about their change of name. Did you put your new married name on the AOS forms? Plus, you had to send along your marriage certificate, so that is all that is necessary.

[raymaga 25]

All the applications (AOS, EAD, AP, Removal of Conditions, Naturalization) will all be done under your husband's name (as the applicant), so they are more concerned about his name changing.

[I'm Gone 60]

Not sure what you are asking, but the first place to start for the name change for a female U.S. citizen spouse would be with your SSN record.

Only the marriage document (foreign or domestic) is needed if it meets the following criteria:

-- The new name can be derived from the marriage document, i.e. bride takes the groom's last name, groom takes bride's last name, compound name (with or without hyphen) of each spouse's original name for either or both parties.

Note: State law must also allow the type of name change wishing to be made

-- The marriage occurred within the past two years

-- The marriage document shows sufficient identifying information, e.g., biographical data such as age, date of birth or parent's names, and

-- The identifying information matches the information on his/her current Social Security number record.

The applicant will need to submit an identity document in the old name along with the marriage document if:

-- The marriage occurred within the last two years and has biographical information, e.g., age, date of birth or parent's names which does not match our records, e.g., the SSN record.

-- The marriage occurred within the last two years, but does not show biographical information, or

-- The marriage occurred over two years ago (with or without biographical information.)

The identity document used to establish the old name must match the name on the current SSN record. The identity document is acceptable even if over two years old or expired.

When requesting an SSN card, the documents presented, as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. SSA will not accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence.

Take or mail the required documents to the nearest Social Security office ( I suggest that you don't put your documents in the mail) and you can obtain the address and directions to the nearest Social Security office from the Social Security Office Locator, which is available on the Internet at:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

Normally, an SSN card should be received in the mail within two weeks after the application and document(s) have been received and verified.

All cards are mailed from Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland to the postal address provided on the Form SS-5.

Once you get your name changed SSN card show it to your employer so that their records can be updated.

Then you can go get a new driver's license.