DO I NEED TO CAHNGE MY LAST NAME

[SAMANTHACAM 0]

Hi im new here and i need some help from u all. i am a jamaican now living in the states on a green card. just got married to my hubby in jamaica end of jan. we want to start filing for him to come and live here but i jusst want to know do i need to have my name legally changed before we start. you help is greatly appreciated thanks

[lisap 10]

Hi im new here and i need some help from u all. i am a jamaican now living in the states on a green card. just got married to my hubby in jamaica end of jan. we want to start filing for him to come and live here but i jusst want to know do i need to have my name legally changed before we start. you help is greatly appreciated thanks

No you dont have to change your name, changing your last name is your choice no one can make you married or not, but i must tell you that since your here on a green card it will take some time before he gets to live here, since he will have to wait on a visa number, only spouses of US citizen dont have to wait on a visa number.

[SAMANTHACAM 0]

No you dont have to change your name, changing your last name is your choice no one can make you married or not, but i must tell you that since your here on a green card it will take some time before he gets to live here, since he will have to wait on a visa number, only spouses of US citizen dont have to wait on a visa number.

THNAKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLY.Do you have any idea of how long the process usually takes

[lisap 10]

THNAKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLY.Do you have any idea of how long the process usually takes

Well the i-130 takes about 5months to be approved but latley its been taking 8 or more months for every one including citizens, but after the i-130 is approved it will take him a year or two to get the visa number since your not a citizen, the last i heard it took one person 4 years but that was five years ago...however if you become a citizen before he gets the visa you would just need to change your status on his papers and he will get the visa soon after...i hope im explaining this clear enough for you

[SAMANTHACAM 0]

Well the i-130 takes about 5months to be approved but latley its been taking 8 or more months for every one including citizens, but after the i-130 is approved it will take him a year or two to get the visa number since your not a citizen, the last i heard it took one person 4 years but that was five years ago...however if you become a citizen before he gets the visa you would just need to change your status on his papers and he will get the visa soon after...i hope im explaining this clear enough for you

Yes you have done a great job explaining thanks for your help

[Athena June 37]

Do you have any idea of how long the process usually takes

It takes about 2.5 years at the moment for a spouse of a permanent resident to receive the visa. However, since we are subject to an annual quota, the wait can change at any time depending on the number of applicants - it used to be five years, now we are "lucky" to have to wait only half of that. You can follow changes in the wait times by reading the monthly Visa Bulletin (look at category F2A):

http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5885.html

[SAMANTHACAM 0]

It takes about 2.5 years at the moment for a spouse of a permanent resident to receive the visa. However, since we are subject to an annual quota, the wait can change at any time depending on the number of applicants - it used to be five years, now we are "lucky" to have to wait only half of that. You can follow changes in the wait times by reading the monthly Visa Bulletin (look at category F2A):

Thanks alot

[apple21 953]

Changing your name is optional. Although using your husband's surname is a nice proof of a bonafide marriage.