advice on name change?

[Mike and Thanh 0]

could someone advise me on name change for my wife. we will send the form in next week, but unsure if she should change her name now on the form or wait until later on. she was from vietnam and still used her vietnam name. even on our marriage certificate, it states my name and her name unchanged, she still uses her maiden name, haven't change to my last name yet. she is pregnant too and is schedule to give birth to our second child in april of '14. should she petition for a name change now or wait until after everything is set and done such as given birth and also become a citizen? she is worry about it would be a big mess if she does change her name and when she does give birth and how would that affect her as far as her hospital records, baby's birth certificate, etc. what do you guys suggest? also, let say she stays with her current name, gives birth with her current name, and pass the citizen test with her name unchange, how hard would it be to change her name later on? it's not as simple as going to the court and requesting a name change? thanks a bunch.

[NINA80 9]

if all what she wants is getting your last name is an easy do. she can just walk in into the SS office or dmv with the marriage certificate and they will issue her new ID / SS card with her married last name. when its comes to citizenship she has to complete the name change section in the N-400 . for the hospital she can just show them the marriage certificate and they will update her last name. when its came to the baby's birth certificate its up to her to use your last name or middle+your last name as her last name. she doesn't have to go to court all what she needs is her marriage certificate.

[NickD 203]

Name changes due to marriage are extremely common, all you need is some photo identification with your maiden name and a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

[Mike and Thanh 0]

i think there might have been some confusion. what i am trying to say is that let say she becomes a citizen, but keeps her old name and also keep her old name on the baby's birth certificate; is it hard to get a name change later on and have the marriage certificate and baby's birth certificate to reflect her new name? so basically, she doesn't want to check the box on the form where it said if you want a name change. can she change to a more americanize name later on?

[NINA80 9]

i think there might have been some confusion. what i am trying to say is that let say she becomes a citizen, but keeps her old name and also keep her old name on the baby's birth certificate; is it hard to get a name change later on and have the marriage certificate and baby's birth certificate to reflect her new name? so basically, she doesn't want to check the box on the form where it said if you want a name change. can she change to a more americanize name later on?

Of course she can do it later. And she can name her self any name she wants. The only difference is that is she made the change through the crizenship it will be easy and free. You should check you courthouse website about the name change process.