AOS

[akihon 129]

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.

even if it doesn't match up with SS and everything else?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

even if it doesn't match up with SS and everything else?

Yep!

SSA does not control your name. Separately, unrelated to immigration, you can change your name with SSA, but it does not need to be done first, and in many cases, cannot be done until immigration updates the alien file.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[asdfg 18]

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

While what Harpa Timsah suggested may be correct, it would be better for you to

complete all the name changes before AOS - meaning notify all agencies (like SSN and etc)

and get everything issued to you under your new name.

When it comes to fingerprinting and BG checks it may confuse as to what your

actual name is and why it appears differently in DL or SSN as opposed to AOS app. and etc

If you had a chance to explain, of course you could present evidence of name change in MC and explain that your maiden name still appears on other unupdated records.

But you won't be able to do that and IF you get stuck in the process you may end up waiting

a year or two before they figure out some simple thing like that.

Sometimes it's better to use common sense , even if the law is on your side, and just take the simple steps of updating all your records before sending AOS application and then fill the form with your new name.

Good luck.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

While what Harpa Timsah suggested may be correct, it would be better for you to

complete all the name changes before AOS - meaning notify all agencies (like SSN and etc)

and get everything issued to you under your new name.

When it comes to fingerprinting and BG checks it may confuse as to what your

actual name is and why it appears differently in DL or SSN as opposed to AOS app. and etc

If you had a chance to explain, of course you could present evidence of name change in MC and explain that your maiden name still appears on other unupdated records.

But you won't be able to do that and IF you get stuck in the process you may end up waiting

a year or two before they figure out some simple thing like that.

Sometimes it's better to use common sense , even if the law is on your side, and just take the simple steps of updating all your records before sending AOS application and then fill the form with your new name.

Good luck.

Nope. Most of the time it is impossible and would cause undue delay to wait on changing other IDs. To change a passport, it usually takes months. There is NO reason to delay sending off AOS for months because of a name change. Just fill in the AOS paperwork in the new name. The Greencard will be in the new name. Simple as.

This has been discussed ad nauseum on this site, and I don't think new members who do not understand the laws should be stirring the pot and making things confusing.

[asdfg 18]

Nope. Most of the time it is impossible and would cause undue delay to wait on changing other IDs. To change a passport, it usually takes months. There is NO reason to delay sending off AOS for months because of a name change. Just fill in the AOS paperwork in the new name. The Greencard will be in the new name. Simple as.

This has been discussed ad nauseum on this site, and I don't think new members who do not understand the laws should be stirring the pot and making things confusing.

I am not stirring the pot. From legal standpoint you are right. There are States where you can just say "I am Donald Duck" and start being one from that day on.

I do not see any legal troubles if someone does what is legally authorized to do.

What I think, and this is my subjective opinion, by no means I am telling OP to do what I think, but what I think is that once it comes to FP and BG check it may cause delays while someone is assigned to figure out any mismatch (FB and BG check is done robotically rather than by John Doe sitting there and trying to understand any discrepancy and then figuring out that person this individual got married and as a result changed the name but didn't update all databases and etc. If it ever has to be assigned to John Doe good luck with waiting for his turn to take a look at it).

Again, I am admittedly not a lawyer and this is one of the subjects I have little if any clue at all and I defer to others to give better advise.

Good luck to all.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You are wrong and disruptive. It does not cause delays for background check. There is a box to put "other names used" and clear places to put "maiden name." USCIS does this every day, they know what to do. It is a very simple matter.

You admit you have no clue and will defer to better advice, so please do so.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[asdfg 18]

You are wrong and disruptive. It does not cause delays for background check. There is a box to put "other names used" and clear places to put "maiden name." USCIS does this every day, they know what to do. It is a very simple matter.

You admit you have no clue and will defer to better advice, so please do so.

Sir,

Below is the copy paste from my previous post,and I hope it will suffice to clarify matters and I shall now take a leave from further participation in this thread:

Again, I am admittedly not a lawyer and this is one of the subjects I have little if any clue at all and I defer to others to give better advise.

Good luck to all.

Edited August 3, 2012 by asdfg

[DandT14 272]

Sir,

Below is the copy paste from my previous post,and I hope it will suffice to clarify matters and I shall now take a leave from further participation in this thread:

Again, I am admittedly not a lawyer and this is one of the subjects I have little if any clue at all and I defer to others to give better advise.

Good luck to all.

All this time, I thought Harpa was a girl.

[J&K. 0]

Yep!

SSA does not control your name. Separately, unrelated to immigration, you can change your name with SSA, but it does not need to be done first, and in many cases, cannot be done until immigration updates the alien file.

Thanks for your clear explanation on name changes when filing for AOS!

We might do the following: after POE on K1 visa, apply for SSN in maiden name, then get married and try to change maiden name to married name on SSN card while I-94 is still valid (for more that 14 days). Then we'll apply for AOS in married name regardless of the SSA 'granting' me the name change on SSN card. Sounds valid right?

However, if SSA won't let me do the name change after marriage without EAD or GC, how will this affect getting a driver's license? Will they issue it in my maiden name that's the name on my SSN card? In that case, should we just wait for the EAD to come in with married name, change name on SSN card and then obtain a DL? (I have a Dutch DL, so I should still be able to drive in the mean time). I will also get a military ID that we want to apply for in my married name right away. Would it be weird and (even possible) having a military ID in married name and DL/SSN in maiden name. OR will SSA accept my Military ID showing married name to change it on SSN card even without EAD.. Ugh just when I think I've figured it out..

Help and insight much appreciated

[Moomin 292]

The BMV branch I went to accepted cert. marriage cert. as proof of name change. Otherwise you can always try to get license in maiden name and the minute it gets in the mailbox, go back with marriage cert. and change it. Just like tha SSA, DMV/BMV checks your immigration status and you're in the same time frame as when dealing with SSA - a valid i94 with more than 14 days left on it is needed.

You have to look at the requirements in your state, amd which documents are accepted.

Please start your own topic in the future Most people don't see your question when writing in someone else's topic.

[J&K. 0]

The BMV branch I went to accepted cert. marriage cert. as proof of name change. Otherwise you can always try to get license in maiden name and the minute it gets in the mailbox, go back with marriage cert. and change it. Just like tha SSA, DMV/BMV checks your immigration status and you're in the same time frame as when dealing with SSA - a valid i94 with more than 14 days left on it is needed.

You have to look at the requirements in your state, amd which documents are accepted.

Please start your own topic in the future Most people don't see your question when writing in someone else's topic.

Feeling a little less stressed about the whole name change thing.. Thanks!! And will do

[Moomin 292]

Feeling a little less stressed about the whole name change thing.. Thanks!! And will do

Understandable - it's usually a different process in home country than here. Good luck