Name change after Green Card Approval

[Linguistically Cunning 0]

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if anyone out there had any advice on the name change after marriage and green card approval? We have had our approval and I have received my green card but now I want to change my name to take my husband's and I'm not sure how this is done. Is this a huge hassle or is it straight forward enough?

How will this effect my green card and travelling also, do I need to get a new card once the name is changed before I travel back to Ireland at the end of December? How long will this take and does it cost a whole lot to do?

Sorry for all the questions, I've been researching it and can't find anything that tells me the story exactly how it is and who better to ask than those already gone through it!!

Thanks for any advice you can give me,

LC

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Why did you not change your name at the time of filing for AOS.... to change it now you will need to file for I-90 and pay the fees I think its about $270 it take about 6 months to get a new greencard as you need to have biometrics done again...

You can change your name with SSA you will need to take your marriage certificate... after you have changed your SSN to married name you will be able to change your Drivers licence with DMV..

Your passport you can change by getting intouch with the Irish embassy they will also need the marriage certificate and there may be a fee I know there is one for UK passports...

Good Luck

[Irisheyes 0]

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if anyone out there had any advice on the name change after marriage and green card approval? We have had our approval and I have received my green card but now I want to change my name to take my husband's and I'm not sure how this is done. Is this a huge hassle or is it straight forward enough?

How will this effect my green card and travelling also, do I need to get a new card once the name is changed before I travel back to Ireland at the end of December? How long will this take and does it cost a whole lot to do?

Sorry for all the questions, I've been researching it and can't find anything that tells me the story exactly how it is and who better to ask than those already gone through it!!

Thanks for any advice you can give me,

LC

Sorry to ask, but.........why? LOL, would have been easier to do it all from the start. Not helping though, I know.

As far as I know, you will need to file I-90, renewal or replacement of greencard as biometric info has changed. Unfortunately it costs $260, check USCIS forms & fees. As for travelling, your passport will need to match the greencard obviously. I think you will have to go by the processing times for your local DO, check that out also. If you are planning to travel in Dec, and right now everything on your passport and greencard match, I would hold off until returning, just book ticket in maiden name. It will save a lot of panic wondering if it will be done in time.

[___ 0]

Or you can wait until you file to remove conditions, and change your name then? That way you save money.

You can also change your name (for free) as a part of the naturalization process.

[ariel_2005 0]

i took my husband last name right after we got married and now we have everything in my married name .... wish u good luck ...

[Irisheyes 0]

.....must...resist....smartmouth.......answer.........Sit...on.......hands!!!

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

I changed my surname when I got married, but I looked into what it would take to change my first name as the UK allows a 'known as' but DMV and bank cards and IDs etc do not consider the 'known as' name as a name they want to put on your paperwork. Kind of a pain, I know, but it is what it is.

To change my first name, and to change your married name after you have your GC would cost the $260 as quoted previously, as this is the $190 for the I-90 and $70 to have the biometrics redone.

My hubby and I are going to wait till we have to remove the conditions on the (yet-to-be-approved GC) to change my name so that we can apply under the new name, then have the new GC adn all the paperwork from that point onwards in the new name, thus saving costs.

There isn't a shortcut, I'm afraid. Any name change after the AOS has been approved requires the I-90 and $260. The only exceptions are if the USCIS make the mistake on your name themselves and thus are required to change it for free.

I-90 Information

Change in Biographic Data:

If you are applying to replace a card because of a name change, you must bring the original court order or a certified copy of a court order or marriage certificate reflecting the new name to your in-person appearance at the ASC. To replace a card because of a change in any other biographic data, you must bring copies of documentation to prove that the new data is correct. A replacement application based on a USCIS administrative error must also include an explanation.

Note on Filing Fee:

If you are filing for the following reasons, the base application fee of $190 and the biometrics fee of $70 are required. Total filing fee = $260.

a. My card was lost, stolen or destroyed.

c. My card is mutilated.

e. My name or other biographic information has changed since the card was issued.

f. My present card has an expiration date and it is expiring.

h.1. I have taken up Commuter status.

h.2. I was a Commuter and am now taking up residence in the U.S.

i. My status has been automatically converted to permanent resident.

j. I have an old edition of the card.

If you are filing for the following reason, the base application fee of $190 is not required. The biometrics fee of $70 is required. Total filing fee = $70.

I have reached my 14th birthday since my card was issued.

If you are filing for the following reasons, the base application fee of $190 is not required. The biometrics fee of $70 is not required. Please review the Special Instructions if you are filing for these reasons.

* My authorized card was never received.

* My card was issued with incorrect information because of a USCIS administrative error.

Hope that helps

[Linguistically Cunning 0]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice and i don't blame you for the chuckles...it would have made perfect sense to do it then but there we were advised to file under my maiden name as my husband was going to be changing his surname to something other than what he was when we got married and so it would have been a pain in the a$$ so we left it. I knew it was going to cost me a lot and it would be hassle..no part of this process is ever as easy as we'd have liked it to be...lol

I think you're right..will wait until I get back from my travels to do it, plus it'll give me an excuse to go to San Francisco to get a new passport as I wouldn't put it in the mail for fear of it being lost...well..that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it..lol

Thanks again,

LC