When to change the last name?

[joeyjoey 1]

When should she change her last name to create the fewest problems? Should we go through AOS completely before changing the last name? In your experiences, how have you been addressing this issue and avoiding problems?

[YuAndDan 153]

When you marry, you put new name on the marriage license, then when you fill out forms for AOS, EAD ect you use new name.

Doing the name change at the time of marriage is the easiest time to do it, afterward you would have to change names in many places. If at marriage only need to do the change with the SSA if you got a card before marriage.

You can apply for the SS card now, or after you get EAD or Green Card.

When you marry, you can change name by putting on the marriage license the name that she will go by after marriage. Then when you do AOS, and EAD paperwork, you use her new name.

Look carefully at the example I-485 form. http://www.visajourney.com/examples/INS-Form-I-485.pdf

Part 1 Shows married name, Part 3 shows maiden name.

Similar question yesterday:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=45503&hl=

Edited December 10, 2006 by YuAndDan

[isleta521 5]

Agree w/ YandD: ("When you marry, you put new name on the marriage license, then when you fill out forms for AOS, EAD ect you use new name")

When you arrive, work on your SSN before you get married so you will not have problems acquireing new bank accounts, ect. Of course wait the 15 or 20 days until you are in their system. Your name has to match your I-94 even if you bring your marriage certs. This was our experience with the idots at SS Admin. office. The SS website states as long as you bring your MC showing name change, they will assign you a number but this was not the case with us. We had to wait until after she got the GC with her new name. Then it was a breeze.

Then once you are married you can go back to SS and tell them you had a name change.

Good luck!!

[alix 20]

Hi Joey,

I think you should follow Yu and Dan's advice.

I just changed my name this weekend, after arriving in the US and being married for 1 1/2 years. I had to first register my marriage at the Brazilian Consulate to be able to change my passport (you'll need to do that too) and then change everything else. I had to do it this way for personal reasons. But I'm soooo happy I can use my husband's last name now.

I don't have my new name on my marriage certificate, but I was able to apply for my SSN with my married name today and renewed my driver's license with the married name too. I was also able to request for new credit cards with my married name.

Unfortunately I am going to get my greencard with my maiden name (because that's how I have it in my visa) and I'll need to apply for name change, but they said it's easy (but I'll have to pay US$ 260 to do that!!!).

I'm glad to see that things are working out for you!!

Alix

[joeyjoey 1]

........I'm glad to see that things are working out for you!!

Alix

Thanks Alix!

[airwarrior 0]

I couldn't get name change on marriage license. They told me I have to go to SSN office to change it first using marriage certificate.

Edited December 13, 2006 by airwarrior