Name change after filing for AOS

[Gasoline2805 2]

Hello everyone.

Right now me and my husband are preparing our paperwork to file for my AOS. I came to the U.S. august 2nd on a K-1 visa and we got married october 2nd.

At this moment it's not possible for me to go back to the social security office to get a name change for my SS-card, due to lack of a car (and time on weekdays) while the office is 2 hrs from here and only open from mon - fri.

We decided that I would keep my maiden name for now (since I can't change it 'officially' yet) and file the AOS under that name.

I was just wondering if it is possible to change your last name at any time after your marriage/after filing for the AOS.

There was another topic about changing your name soon after filing for the AOS, which said to file the AOS in the name you will take.

However, I'm not sure if that applies to me as well, since I might change it next year (so: not soon).

Can someone please tell me what name to use for filing the AOS?

I haven't changed my name on any official papers at this point.

(Bank, post office, lease, etc. are still on my maiden name.)

IF I will be filing the AOS in my maiden name and I will receive my green card at some point with my maiden name on it, will it be a problem to change my name officially after that?

(Considering the green card application takes a while to process in the first place.)

Let me know what to do please.

Yvanka

Edited October 31, 2013 by Gasoline2805

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

In the US, there is no "official" name change. If you want to use your married name after marriage, then you just start to do so.

You can file AOS in any name you want, but getting a Greencard in your married name is a really easy way to start getting other IDs in your married name. I suggest you file in your married name for that reason.

I see no reason to wait. It is a common misconception that the SSA "owns" your name. It does not. You do not need to notify them first or get a new SSN in the new name.

If you choose to get a GC in your maiden name, and want to change it later, you will have to pay around $500 for a replacement.

[Gail83 21]

As far as I'm aware you won't be able to change your name on SSN until you have your EAD as your I-94 has less than 2 weeks left on it. If you will be changing your name then use your married name on your AOS paperwork.

[Gasoline2805 2]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I really wasn't sure about whether to file in my new name or not, because after we got our marriage certificate the county clerk said your name hasn't automatically changed.

(Then came up with the ' name change kit' which basically contains forms for everything like the SSA, bank, etc.)

Also, I can't change the name on my bankaccount and at the post office since they want my SSN with my married name on it.

That's another reason I wasn't sure about the application for the AOS. There's nothing I have with my new name on it except for the marriage certificate.

(Which actually shows his last name and my maiden name, but I heard that's enough proof for the AOS that you'll be using his name?)

Sorry that I'm a little confused. =)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

USCIS will accept your marriage cert as proof of name change. Then you can start changing your name elsewhere, because you will have a lovely ID in your married name.

That name change kit you got is just a helper device, not an official thing.

[Gasoline2805 2]

Thank you very much for the advice. =)

[vbtwo 54]

It doesn't matter what SSA has in their records. You don't need to show the SS card anywhere, you can just tell them the number and that's it, so it doesn't matter what it says on the card. Change it after you get your GC.

Since you must send your marriage certificate to file for AOS anyways, use the name that's on the certificate (your married name). It doesn't really matter if your bank account and everything is in your maiden name, you can use them to prove married ties if needed for the interview as USCIS knows your previous name too.

There's no need to change name at the post office, post office doesn't care who you are, they just deliver the mail. They do not care what name it goes to or what name it's sent from, just the address.

[joshandgigi 8]

The ssn office said you have up to 3 years to change it. Its no biggie. Once its on the SSN card your set.