US citizen spouse wants to change the given (first) name

[holiday 3]

Hello,

I am a non-US citizen and applied to AOS, AP, and EAD through marriage. My status is still "under initial review". My US citizen spouse is considering changing his given (first) name. We filed all the paperwork under his current given name. He hasn't made the decision yet but we want to know what we need to do if he decides to change his given name after I receive a conditional permanent residency but before getting unconditional permanent residency.

I googled and searched visa journey discussion forum but I did not see any topics related to US citizen spouse’s name change after conditional permanent residency has been approved for the non-US citizen spouse. I find information related to a US citizen changing her/his given name by filing it to the court but none discussed how that may affect the non-US citizen spouse’s process of applying unconditional residency. Any advice will be helpful. Thank you!

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hello,

I am a non-US citizen and applied to AOS, AP, and EAD through marriage. My status is still "under initial review". My US citizen spouse is considering changing his given (first) name. We filed all the paperwork under his current given name. He hasn't made the decision yet but we want to know what we need to do if he decides to change his given name after I receive a conditional permanent residency but before getting unconditional permanent residency.

I googled and searched visa journey discussion forum but I did not see any topics related to US citizen spouse’s name change after conditional permanent residency has been approved for the non-US citizen spouse. I find information related to a US citizen changing her/his given name by filing it to the court but none discussed how that may affect the non-US citizen spouse’s process of applying unconditional residency. Any advice will be helpful. Thank you!

If I were you I would use his new name on the ROC (Removal of Conditions) form and include a copy of the court order changing his first name as the marriage certificate will be in his old name. All other information will still be correct. He will take the court order to the SSA to change his name with them so that his SSN will be in the new name. Same for his passport and other forms of ID. All you need to do is show that his is still the same person you married and supplying the court order of his name change does that.

Good luck,

Dave

[holiday 3]

Thank you very much Dave! Your response was extremely helpful. It is a relief to know that my husband does not have to worry about his decision negatively affecting the immigration process. Thank you.

[Susi&Charlie 9]

I would look into having the name on the marriage certificate changed also. I'm guessing it's possible, but I have no experience with anything like this. I just know that when I was adopted, the last name on my birth certificate was changed to my new last name. But this was in Germany…maybe they handle things differently over here, but like I said, something to look into.