Name change

[daphoknee 4]

SO...I'm a silly girl. My Canadian passport, Ontario Driver License and all legal Canadian ID have my maiden name. I never really got around to changing over to my married name and of course wasn't thinking and filed all CR-1 paperwork in my maiden name. I've been approved since this Monday (june 17th) and just realized that my Green Card that will be issued upon POE will list my maiden name. Is it too late now to change it to my married name???

I am kicking myself right now! I was so focused on making sure everything was filled out correctly and so stressed out I forgot about making sure my ID reflects my married name

[Natalie y Richard 14]

Honestly it is a personal choice to change our last name not a requirement. When you get hear if you wish to have you married name listed on your documents just change it then. I feel if you open that can of worms now it just might delay things. If you were approved it was because it's a bonafide relationship not because of your name.

[Dave&Roza 748]

  On 6/20/2013 at 8:57 PM, daphoknee said:

SO...I'm a silly girl. My Canadian passport, Ontario Driver License and all legal Canadian ID have my maiden name. I never really got around to changing over to my married name and of course wasn't thinking and filed all CR-1 paperwork in my maiden name. I've been approved since this Monday (june 17th) and just realized that my Green Card that will be issued upon POE will list my maiden name. Is it too late now to change it to my married name???

I am kicking myself right now! I was so focused on making sure everything was filled out correctly and so stressed out I forgot about making sure my ID reflects my married name

Wait 2 years and file your ROC (Removal of Conditions) in your married name. You can do it now by filing the I-90 and paying $450 for a new GC. You can get a SSN in the maiden name and then using the Marriage Certificate change it to the married name. You can also start by changing your passport to your married name. You can apply for a DL in the married name using the Marriage Certificate in most states. By the time the ROC needs to be filed the GC will be the only document in your maiden name. Just remember that for international travel the tickets must match the name on the governement issued ID you will be using which is your passport.

Good luck,

Dave

P. S. It is just a name, do not stress over this. There are more important things to worry about like what's for dinner and who is cooking it?

Edited June 20, 2013 by Dave&Roza

[daphoknee 4]

  On 6/20/2013 at 9:07 PM, Natalie&Elias said:

Honestly it is a personal choice to change our last name not a requirement. When you get hear if you wish to have you married name listed on your documents just change it then. I feel if you open that can of worms now it just might delay things. If you were approved it was because it's a bonafide relationship not because of your name.

  On 6/20/2013 at 9:10 PM, Dave&Roza said:

Wait 2 years and file your ROC (Removal of Conditions) in your married name. You can do it now by filing the I-90 and paying $450 for a new GC. You can get a SSN in the maiden name and then using the Marriage Certificate change it to the married name. You can also start by changing your passport to your married name. You can apply for a DL in the married name using the Marriage Certificate in most states. By the time the ROC needs to be filed the GC will be the only document in your maiden name. Just remember that for international travel the tickets must match the name on the governement issued ID you will be using which is your passport.

Good luck,

Dave

P. S. It is just a name, do not stress over this. There are more important things to worry about like what's for dinner and who is cooking it?

I'm more looking to use my married name for my hubby, he's a firm believer that I should take his name but with the entire immigration processes going on (Canadian PR for him few years back and now my GC) I kept my maiden name. Now that this whirlwind of redtape is seemingly over, I decided to focus on the name change.

Dave&Roza I will be receiving the 10 year GC, I'm assuming the 2 years will not apply to me? If I change my SSN and state DL to my married name with my marriage certificate but my passport and GC have my maiden name, will that be a problem?

[NikLR 13,232]

No you can have the others in your maiden name. You may want to carry around a copy of your marriage certificate when you travel however. You can use that as well to make sure you have your married name on your driver's licence and SSN.

[daphoknee 4]

  On 6/21/2013 at 1:12 AM, NikiR said:

No you can have the others in your maiden name. You may want to carry around a copy of your marriage certificate when you travel however. You can use that as well to make sure you have your married name on your driver's licence and SSN.

Thanks Niki!

[Dave&Roza 748]

  On 6/20/2013 at 9:19 PM, daphoknee said:

Dave&Roza I will be receiving the 10 year GC, I'm assuming the 2 years will not apply to me? If I change my SSN and state DL to my married name with my marriage certificate but my passport and GC have my maiden name, will that be a problem?

I was basing my comment because you stated you filed the CR-1 which is a conditional resident (married to a USC spouse for less tha 2 years) which implies that you will receive a 2 year GC and have to file for removal of conditions (ROC) 90 days before the LPR since date. In looking at your timeline, you were married in November 2010 so you will be receiving a 10 year GC--IR-1. So your next chance to change the name on your GC for free is at Naturalization. I do not see a problem as my Mother used Middle Maiden Married her whole married life, but the name on her SSC was First Middle Married. It was not until she retired that she changed her DL and passport to match the SSC.

Just remember which ID you are going to use and make certain the documents match that ID. At least the passport and GC match so you do not have to carry around a Mariage Certificate when travelling internationally.

Dave

[daphoknee 4]

Ah, so sorry for the confusion! Thank you for your advice!

I guess I'll be carrying around my marriage certificate with me for good measure.

I'll switch to married on whatever I can that does not associate any cost for now

  On 6/21/2013 at 3:11 PM, Dave&Roza said:

I was basing my comment because you stated you filed the CR-1 which is a conditional resident (married to a USC spouse for less tha 2 years) which implies that you will receive a 2 year GC and have to file for removal of conditions (ROC) 90 days before the LPR since date. In looking at your timeline, you were married in November 2010 so you will be receiving a 10 year GC--IR-1. So your next chance to change the name on your GC for free is at Naturalization. I do not see a problem as my Mother used Middle Maiden Married her whole married life, but the name on her SSC was First Middle Married. It was not until she retired that she changed her DL and passport to match the SSC.

Just remember which ID you are going to use and make certain the documents match that ID. At least the passport and GC match so you do not have to carry around a Mariage Certificate when travelling internationally.

Dave