AOS

[NateFP 10]

How can we apply for name change while we are sending AOS forms?

[newlyweds2010 208]

What type of name change? Maiden to married name or a totally different name?

[NateFP 10]

Last Name

What type of name change? Maiden to married name or a totally different name?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Just fill out the AOS paperwork in the married name.

[NateFP 10]

I just filled my previous last Name, that means they can't change my last Name for my Green card?

Just fill out the AOS paperwork in the married name.

[NateFP 10]

What evidences i have to send with the package?

I just filled my previous last Name, that means they can't change my last Name for my Green card?

Just fill out the AOS paperwork in the married name.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Here is the VJ Guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Please note you are posting in the wrong forum, you should be posting in the AOS from family visa forum. Most of the advice in this forum is not applicable to your situation.

[newlyweds2010 208]

I am not sure I understand: did your wife choose to change her name on the marriage certificate? Meaning that, after the wedding, she acquired your last name? If so, then the AOS forms should have been filled out with her current name (i.e. her married name), and the GC will come under that name. If she chose to keep her name as it was before, then the AOS forms should have been filled out with her current name (i.e. her maiden name, which didn't change), and the GC will come under that name.

[akihon 129]

you're supposed to change your name BEFORE you file the AOS forms .. unless you have bottomless pockets and can afford to pay for all the fees associated with correcting the name on all the immigration forms AFTER the fact xD

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

you're supposed to change your name BEFORE you file the AOS forms .. unless you have bottomless pockets and can afford to pay for all the fees associated with correcting the name on all the immigration forms AFTER the fact xD

No. This and the above are incorrect.

Many states do not have a "before and after" section on the marriage certificate. A woman in one of those states just starts using her new name. In effect, she starts to collect IDs in the married name, and that is her name. USCIS is the perfect place to start. As a federal body, they recognize the marriage cert as a valid name change document, and can issue a Greencard in married name. Then the woman has a shiny new gov-ID with the married name on it and can change her other IDs, and her passport.

So, as I said, fill out the AOS forms in the married name.

Edited August 2, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[newlyweds2010 208]

No. This and the above are incorrect.

Many states do not have a "before and after" section on the marriage certificate. A woman in one of those states just starts using her new name. In effect, she starts to collect IDs in the married name, and that is her name. USCIS is the perfect place to start. As a federal body, they recognize the marriage cert as a valid name change document, and can issue a Greencard in married name. Then the woman has a shiny new gov-ID with the married name on it and can change her other IDs, and her passport.

So, as I said, fill out the AOS forms in the married name.

I assume however that in every state there is a section for the bride's name. It all comes down to what is written there, no?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I assume however that in every state there is a section for the bride's name. It all comes down to what is written there, no?

No. Many states only have one space each for the names of the people getting married, which would be the maiden name of the woman (the name the license was obtained in). Some states have a "name after marriage box" but the others do not. It just says Man X and Lady Maiden name were married. That by itself is a valid name change document for USCIS.

In other words, in many states, there is no place to declare or not declare your intent to change name. You just start using the married name after you are married.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

No. Many states only have one space each for the names of the people getting married, which would be the maiden name of the woman (the name the license was obtained in). Some states have a "name after marriage box" but the others do not. It just says Man X and Lady Maiden name were married. That by itself is a valid name change document for USCIS.

In other words, in many states, there is no place to declare or not declare your intent to change name. You just start using the married name after you are married.

Correct. and there are also states where you MUST declare the married name on the paperwork and sign in married in order to change your name. It all comes down to knowing your state rules.

[Kim & Gesner 14]

We married May 26th and I went a few days later and changed my social security card, then my driver's license, bank accounts, etc. The only thing I have left to change is my passport but sending that out tomorrow. I wanted to file under my married name so I rushed to change it all lol

[Moomin 292]

How can we apply for name change while we are sending AOS forms?

USCIS only needs cert. copy of marriage certificate to prove the name change - that's legal proof of name change. When you go to the biometrics appointment, bring your appointmentletter, ID(passport/visa) and cert. marr. certificate with you. Check to see if they put your married name on the NOA1 hardcopies you received, that's your first clue of them accepting the last name.

---

If your i-94 still has not expired, and there's more than 2 weeks until it does, you can go ahead, swing by SSA, bring your proof of ID and a cert. copy of marriage certificate. When you receive EAD in married name, it has to match up with name on SSN when you start working. When you do it now rather than later, you can basically start working the day your EAD is approved when it already matches up.