AOS Application / Changing Her Name

[hoy123 2]

Hello Vjers just was having a discussion with my wife about changing her name on the AOS forms and need some help. She decided that she wanted to change her last name to mine. She is a Filipina though and she says its normal for your middle name to become your former last name and your last name changes to your husbands last name. So she filled out all the AOS forms with her former last name as her middle name.

but.... I thought it would be more appropriate for her to hyphenate her last name to include both our names and just drop her middle name. Here in America the women have middle names that are very similar to just your regular first name and that it would seem strange for her to have a middle name that sounds like it is a last name and aslo a boys name ( within the Hispanic Culture here in South Florida)

Anyone else have this discussion with their better half?

We kind of are just stuck as to what is the right way to do it and neither of us wants to budge.

Please help us Dr. Phil

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Honestly it's this simple - it's HER name, not yours. SHE needs to live with it, not you.

You rarely use the middle name anyway so it's most likely most people won't even hear it.

Stick with what she wants and what makes her happy.

[hoy123 2]

Honestly it's this simple - it's HER name, not yours. SHE needs to live with it, not you.

You rarely use the middle name anyway so it's most likely most people won't even hear it.

Stick with what she wants and what makes her happy.

Yes thank you, Im totally with you on that but, but just trying to avoid any headaches for her behalf or any hangups throughout the AOS proccess. I guess anyone can change their name to what ever they want after the AOS is completed by going agency to agency

I just was hoping to hear from anyone that experienced any issues with the name changing through the process

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Yes thank you, Im totally with you on that but, but just trying to avoid any headaches for her behalf or any hangups throughout the AOS proccess. I guess anyone can change their name to what ever they want after the AOS is completed by going agency to agency

I just was hoping to hear from anyone that experienced any issues with the name changing through the process

Some people have issues (even not doing it the way she wants - some people just like to make things harder for people) but she's right, it's a Philippines thing and you'll find just about all the Filipina's changed their name the way your wife wants. From all the reading I've done on here over the years I don't remember ever seeing anyone saying "I wish I didn't do it that way".

[apple21 953]

If wife was born:

First Name: Maria Anna

Middle Name: Santos

Last Name: Reyes

and hubby's surname is Smith, after marriage wife becomes:

First Name: Maria Anna

Middle Name: Reyes

Last Name: Smith

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hello Vjers just was having a discussion with my wife about changing her name on the AOS forms and need some help. She decided that she wanted to change her last name to mine. She is a Filipina though and she says its normal for your middle name to become your former last name and your last name changes to your husbands last name. So she filled out all the AOS forms with her former last name as her middle name.

but.... I thought it would be more appropriate for her to hyphenate her last name to include both our names and just drop her middle name. Here in America the women have middle names that are very similar to just your regular first name and that it would seem strange for her to have a middle name that sounds like it is a last name and aslo a boys name ( within the Hispanic Culture here in South Florida)

Anyone else have this discussion with their better half?

We kind of are just stuck as to what is the right way to do it and neither of us wants to budge.

Please help us Dr. Phil

After we were married my wife changed her name as is the custom in the Philippines, her last name became her middle name and she took my last name as hers.

I also agree with the other posting - its HER name, she should do it the way she decides. Stop being a _ _ _ _!

Edited March 1, 2013 by Hank_

[biaobiao 40]

i have nothing against hyphenated name...

If wife was born:

First Name: Maria Anna

Middle Name: Santos

Last Name: Reyes

and hubby's surname is Smith, after marriage wife becomes:

MARIA ANNA SANTOS REYES-SMITH

it would just make her name longer and harder to fill out forms

in my case i have a very long last name.. 11 letters and it barely fits the forms US EMBASSY needs i had a hard time filling out the form for my daughter

just keep it short so that your wife wont have a hard tim

[YourHumboldtBud 2]

In case you aren't aware. It IS normal for the wife to change her Middle Name to her Former Maiden Name and Take on the last name of her husband once she is married. It is also normal for any future children to take on the SAME Middle name(her maiden name) as theirs as well so don't be alarmed when that topic comes up if you decide to have children. Consider it as an identifier of sorts to the child's lineage on the mother's side. With family being as important as it is in the Philippines, it gives that individual a sense of identity and instant bonding with members of that side. As someone who had this happen to themself. It feels more significant to carry on my mother's former middle name expecially when connecting with my relatives close or distant. As opposed to all my American friends who get some random middle name chosen by their parents, when I asked them how they got their middle name I mostly got shoulder shrugs. When I'd get asked the same question, it was my mother's former last name and all filipinos that I know of do that. Their response, wow that's so cool I wish I had some way to explain my middle name like that... Just saying

[Thermite 3]

If wife was born:

First Name: Maria Anna

Middle Name: Santos

Last Name: Reyes

and hubby's surname is Smith, after marriage wife becomes:

First Name: Maria Anna

Middle Name: Reyes

Last Name: Smith

That's what my wife did too format wise though the two part first name confuses people as they aren't very used to it they keep thinking its her middle name and I have to say no its a two part first name lol

[Mrs.Presson 16]

If wife was born:

First Name: Maria Anna

Middle Name: Santos

Last Name: Reyes

and hubby's surname is Smith, after marriage wife becomes:

First Name: Maria Anna

Middle Name: Reyes

Last Name: Smith

HAH! Finally found a thread where I can ask my question on a specific name change. I've been trying to look for similar threads and only found this today.

Anyway, I'm still in the process of my K1 Visa, but I wanted to go on ahead and research about AOS and name changes after marraige.

My first name is Maria Erika (Yes, two-part first name). I have no problems dropping my current last name to my fiance's last name when we do get married.

Question is: Can I drop "Maria" upon applying for SSN, EAD/AP/AOS?

Current Name

First Name: Maria Erika

Middle Name (let's just say...): Blanco

Last Name: Reyes

We'll get married and change my name to: (Just so there's no more confusion with two first names)

First Name: Erika (this is what I go by anyway)

Middle Name: Reyes

Last Name: Smith

Is this possible?

I guess it's fine If I didn't drop it (it just would make my name longer).... plus I've been wanting to drop "Maria" for YEARS now.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Simple question in return. IF you got married in the Philippines would you be allowed to change your first name(s) ? There is your answer here in the states also.

To change your first name will require a lawyer and a trip to see a judge.

There is no real issue changing your middle name and last name (traditional Philippine way). My wife did it after our marriage, moving her surname to her middle name and took my surname.

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Simple question in return. IF you got married in the Philippines would you be allowed to change your first name(s) ? There is your answer here in the states also.

To change your first name will require a lawyer and a trip to see a judge.

There is no real issue changing your middle name and last name (traditional Philippine way). My wife did it after our marriage, moving her surname to her middle name and took my surname.

Then, I guess I really have no choice but to keep it. Was worth a shot asking though.

And yes, the legal name change here is a long process. Grar at Spaniards.

Ok, then just to be clear:

When getting and/or applying for SSN/EAD/AP/AOS, I would use this format?

First Name: Maria Erika

Middle Name: Reyes

Last Name: Smith

No issues with having a two-part first name, right?

Edited May 4, 2013 by Chris & Erika

[Hank_ 9,174]

Nope no issue, its what is shown on your passport and BC so that is how it is. I know a few people with two first names.

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Nope no issue, its what is shown on your passport and BC so that is how it is. I know a few people with two first names.

Okiedokie! Thanks Hank_!

[let-it-be 36]

Then, I guess I really have no choice but to keep it. Was worth a shot asking though.

And yes, the legal name change here is a long process. Grar at Spaniards.

Ok, then just to be clear:

When getting and/or applying for SSN/EAD/AP/AOS, I would use this format?

First Name: Maria Erika

Middle Name: Reyes

Last Name: Smith

No issues with having a two-part first name, right?

You won't have any issues whatsoever with having two first names. I have two first names & I've used them in all my paper works.

I am now using my father's surname ( my former maiden name) as my middle name therefore dropping my mom's maiden name ( my former middle name). Overall, didn't encounter any issues with US govt agencies etc.

Edited May 4, 2013 by let-it-be