Filing in my maiden name

[Larry&Sam 5]

we are filing in my maiden name, will this be an issue? Only due to my passport and documents still being in my maiden name

[oohpartiv 484]

Nope, no issue. File away!

[Larry&Sam 5]

Oh ok, I just dont wish for any delays

[pushbrk 13,166]

If you are keeping your maiden name, no problem. Name changes at marriage are purely a personal choice. However, if you plan to use the married name later, it is far easier to file in the married name now, and change your passport in the next few months, than it is to immigrate under the maiden name and change everything later.

[speedwell 224]

If you are keeping your maiden name, no problem. Name changes at marriage are purely a personal choice. However, if you plan to use the married name later, it is far easier to file in the married name now, and change your passport in the next few months, than it is to immigrate under the maiden name and change everything later.

I did in fact not change my maiden name to my married name for my husband's visa paperwork, or for any personal paperwork. I had a business reason for that, though; I have a passport with an expensive UK Tier 2 work visa in it that my company is unwilling to replace if I change my passport name (the UK requires you to reapply and purchase a new visa in the new name). But since I've changed groups in my department and am unlikely to use the work visa for travel to the UK for my company now, I will probably just take care of all of my name changes once my husband is safe home.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

we are filing in my maiden name, will this be an issue? Only due to my passport and documents still being in my maiden name

Are you the British citizen? If so, file in the name you want to go by in your married life. The issue with your maiden name is that your greencard will come in your maiden name. To change the name on a greencard costs $450. The USCIS knows you recently married and will have documents still in your maiden name. That's why there is "other names used" on the forms.

For imternational travel, it is easiest to book the ticket in the name on the passport for airline counter purposes. Also bring a copy of the marriage certificate to show name changes when you travel. The passport checker at Heathrow said they see that all day long, where people have married, but the passport is in the maiden name. He said the marriage certificate solves the name discrepancy. Once you get a driver license, you won't need your passport for domestic travel.

If you don't want to take your husbands name ever, that's fine too. I actually still use my former married name, not even maiden name. Never had a problem with immigration wanting to know why we had different names if we were a "real" couple.

[speedwell 224]

Never had a problem with immigration wanting to know why we had different names if we were a "real" couple.

Good to know that.

[Larry&Sam 5]

Thank you everyone for getting back to my query. Yes I am a britsih citizen...Ive been married to my American husband for 2 years this November, but I am here and he is there. Due to having a court case for permission to have my child to leave the UK, is why we are only submitting our I-130 now! We are aware of the high fee for name change later on, but chose to keep my maiden name for document reasons and don't wish for anymore delays of being with my husband.

[Sunnyland 639]

I dont think that should be an issue. Maybe others that went thru the same process like you can share their opinion about it.

[Firegirl 0]

I was going to ask this question later down the line.

My hope was to marry, come back to UK, send my passport to get changed into my married name around the same time we file the I-130, then I just need to change my bank details. The logistics work in my head but no doubt I have missed something that a knowledgeable person on here can correct me on. You guys are awesome for the advice, would have pulled my hair out by now if it wasn't for here.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I was going to ask this question later down the line.

My hope was to marry, come back to UK, send my passport to get changed into my married name around the same time we file the I-130, then I just need to change my bank details. The logistics work in my head but no doubt I have missed something that a knowledgeable person on here can correct me on. You guys are awesome for the advice, would have pulled my hair out by now if it wasn't for here.

That works fine. Your passport and bank things do not have to be in your married name to start the visa process in your married name. Or they can be. Either way will not delay or hinder the visa. Many people keep their maiden name passport until it expires, even though they have immigrated and have new married name bank accounts in the US, married name driver license, and married name greencard.

It is cheaper to renew the passport in the UK, than in the US.

[Firegirl 0]

That works fine. Your passport and bank things do not have to be in your married name to start the visa process in your married name. Or they can be. Either way will not delay or hinder the visa. Many people keep their maiden name passport until it expires, even though they have immigrated and have new married name bank accounts in the US, married name driver license, and married name greencard.

It is cheaper to renew the passport in the UK, than in the US.

Awesome. I got about 22 months left on the current passport so I may as well get it done once married as at that point will have about 18 months so may as well. And as for the banks I will be closing all accounts on departure so on thinking there is no point on those ones. I would like my passport in my married name.

[speedwell 224]

Awesome. I got about 22 months left on the current passport so I may as well get it done once married as at that point will have about 18 months so may as well. And as for the banks I will be closing all accounts on departure so on thinking there is no point on those ones. I would like my passport in my married name.

You may want to leave one open and change its address to your US address. I hear from expats that it's frequently useful.

[Firegirl 0]

You may want to leave one open and change its address to your US address. I hear from expats that it's frequently useful.

Thanks speedwell. I didn't know this