Changing your last name when applying for ROC

[Navyk 78]

This is not true. At least in Texas. My wife got her Drivers Licence and Social Security Card changed before we even filed for ROC. All she had to show was the marriage certificate. Also, she changed her DL before her SSC, so it was not needed for her DL.

Go Texans - am a longhorn now live in NC.

Yeah, I was a little unsure of it too, as I had heard that you can change it for free withing up to a year from marriage, but that after that you would have to apply for a legal name change.

My marriage license / certificate only states my current / maiden name, there's actually nowhere on the document where they even ask if I am changing my name and what I would be changing it to. But, according to the all-knowing google, that's completely normal.

So I guess I will gather up plenty of documents, go to the SS office and see what happens

Thanks so much for everyone's input!

All the best with your name change process. Please share your experiences for others to take advantage of.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Navyk

[Eve&Josh 5]

Just a quick update, got my SSN card changed to my new name today, was a breeze (apart from spending almost 2hrs at the SSA office). Tomorrow DMV, then credit cards etc, and ROC when our window opens up in a few weeks.

[jross 1]

We did the name change via our I-751 as well and it worked out fine. We also did not change her name on the marriage cert so it's ok. It sounds like SS and DMV vary from state to state because we were not permitted to change the name on SS until they had some documentation from USCIS that the name had been changed in their system first. They did finally agree to change both once we brought in the first NOA and biometrics appt forms which showed the new married name.

We did attach a cover letter requesting the name change as well. Not sure if it's necessary, but it's what we did and it all worked out well.

[Navyk 78]

We did the name change via our I-751 as well and it worked out fine. We also did not change her name on the marriage cert so it's ok. It sounds like SS and DMV vary from state to state because we were not permitted to change the name on SS until they had some documentation from USCIS that the name had been changed in their system first. They did finally agree to change both once we brought in the first NOA and biometrics appt forms which showed the new married name.

We did attach a cover letter requesting the name change as well. Not sure if it's necessary, but it's what we did and it all worked out well.

Thanks for sharing this helpful information.

[Odie84 0]

Hi eve&josh! Based on my experience, i had my name change to my foreign passport, but my conditional GC still on my maiden name. I went to social security to change my name due to marriage with my supporting documents such as marriage license , and GC. Unfortunately, they won't be able to give me anew card with my husband's name. The letter said I have to change my name on GC first before they issue a new SSC.

My best advise get ur GC name change before you change ur SSN, driver's license and etc...

[sunshine79 7]

Hi eve&josh! Based on my experience, i had my name change to my foreign passport, but my conditional GC still on my maiden name. I went to social security to change my name due to marriage with my supporting documents such as marriage license , and GC. Unfortunately, they won't be able to give me anew card with my husband's name. The letter said I have to change my name on GC first before they issue a new SSC.

My best advise get ur GC name change before you change ur SSN, driver's license and etc...

Strange. My wife was able to get her SSC changed even though her GC had her maiden name on it. They even asked to see it. Outside of waiting in line, it was a quick process. Since this is a federal agency, it should be somewhat consistent anywhere you go. Maybe try again?

[Eve&Josh 5]

Hi eve&josh! Based on my experience, i had my name change to my foreign passport, but my conditional GC still on my maiden name. I went to social security to change my name due to marriage with my supporting documents such as marriage license , and GC. Unfortunately, they won't be able to give me anew card with my husband's name. The letter said I have to change my name on GC first before they issue a new SSC.

My best advise get ur GC name change before you change ur SSN, driver's license and etc...

Strange. My wife was able to get her SSC changed even though her GC had her maiden name on it. They even asked to see it. Outside of waiting in line, it was a quick process. Since this is a federal agency, it should be somewhat consistent anywhere you go. Maybe try again?

yes, I agree, that is strange. SS should have the same rules at all the offices nationwide. I've also read of people having trouble getting a SSN after arriving here on the K1, so they've had to bring a printout of the rules where it says that K1 is entitled to a SSN.

From the SSA website:

---

To change your name on your Social Security card:

Step 1: Gather documents proving your:

• Legal name change;

  • Marriage document;
  • Divorce decree;
  • Certificate of Naturalization showing a new name; or
  • Court-ordered name change.
• Identity; and
• U.S. citizenship (if you have not established your citizenship with us) or immigration status (including Department of Homeland Security permission to work in the United States.

[Eve&Josh 5]

We did attach a cover letter requesting the name change as well. Not sure if it's necessary, but it's what we did and it all worked out well.

jross, what did you write on the cover letter, if I may ask? Did you use your wife's new name or the old name? I'm inclined to use the new one (as I should, since it is now legally my name), but almost all my evidence shows my old name, including my passport and of course my conditional GC. Should I just use my new name, and mention that the evidence shows the old name?

Thanks again for your help!

Eve

[jross 1]

jross, what did you write on the cover letter, if I may ask? Did you use your wife's new name or the old name? I'm inclined to use the new one (as I should, since it is now legally my name), but almost all my evidence shows my old name, including my passport and of course my conditional GC. Should I just use my new name, and mention that the evidence shows the old name?

Thanks again for your help!

Eve

Here's what I had sent:

Dear Madam or Sir,

I am jointly submitting Form I-751 with my wife Haydee (A# xxxxxxxxx, SS# xxx-xx-xxxx) and son Cesar (A# xxxxxxxxx, SS# xxx-xx-xxxx). In conjunction with the Removal of Conditions on Residence we would like to take this opportunity to request that both Haydee’s and Cesar’s surnames be changed to XXXXXXX on their new Permanent Resident Cards (through our marriage and through Cesar’s recent adoption). I have included copies of our marriage certificate and Cesar’s adoption certificate with this petition.

We recently attempted to change Haydee’s surname to XXXXXXXX at the local Social Security office earlier this year with our marriage certificate. We were told that we must first have her Permanent Resident Card updated with the new surname before they could change the Social Security Card surname. I called the USCIS information line to receive instructions on how to do this and was instructed to simply use the new surname XXXXXXXX in the subsequent I-751 filing and to write her original surname “XXXXXXXX” in the “Other Names Used (including maiden name)” section. I was told to include a request in writing for the name change (this letter is that request). Haydee’s new full name will be HAYDEE XXXXXX XXXXXXX.

On August xx^th the full adoption of my son Cesar was completed at XXXXX County Surrogate Court here in XXXXXX, NY. Through the adoption Cesar’s surname has been changed to XXXXXXX and is now being processed by vital records in New York State. A new birth certificate will be arriving soon. We’ve written his current surname in Form I-751 as XXXXXXXX and would like this to be the surname printed on the new Permanent Resident Card. Please note that the surname on his original Permanent Resident Card is “XXXXXXXXXX”. Cesar’s new full name will be CESAR XXXXXX XXXXXX.

Respectfully,

____________________________________

Joseph R. Xxxxxxxx

____________________________________

Haydee L. Xxxxxxx

_____________________________________

Haydee L. Xxxxxxxx (Maiden Name)

Edited January 8, 2014 by jross

[Eve&Josh 5]

Another quick update: received my new SSN card in the mail with the new last name, driver's license is changed and so are all the credit cards etc. Husband's hasn't yet changed my name info on our insurance but he'll do that soon (he better ). Sent in out ROC package and got a receipt with the new last name as well as biometrics appt letter with the new last name.

Things seem to be moving along just fine.

One thing that might prove to be problematic though, is that I've bought my plane tickets to visit Finland this summer and those are on my old last name (as is my passport). The new GC and the receipt hence do not match my passport and plane tickets, but I understand that it should be fine as long as you bring enough evidence with you, especially marriage certificate, and of course old GC.

[sunshine79 7]

Another quick update: received my new SSN card in the mail with the new last name, driver's license is changed and so are all the credit cards etc. Husband's hasn't yet changed my name info on our insurance but he'll do that soon (he better ). Sent in out ROC package and got a receipt with the new last name as well as biometrics appt letter with the new last name.

Things seem to be moving along just fine.

One thing that might prove to be problematic though, is that I've bought my plane tickets to visit Finland this summer and those are on my old last name (as is my passport). The new GC and the receipt hence do not match my passport and plane tickets, but I understand that it should be fine as long as you bring enough evidence with you, especially marriage certificate, and of course old GC.

Not sure if this would help but we had purchased plane tickets under my wife's maiden name and when it came time to fly her documents had been changed to her married name. We simply called the airline and they changed it for us so that it would match her GC/DL/Passport.

How long would it take to update your Finnish passport?

[Eve&Josh 5]

Not sure if this would help but we had purchased plane tickets under my wife's maiden name and when it came time to fly her documents had been changed to her married name. We simply called the airline and they changed it for us so that it would match her GC/DL/Passport.

How long would it take to update your Finnish passport?

Thanks Sunshine79! I'd be able to get my passport pretty quickly as I now work at the Embassy in Washington, DC. The thing is that I wouldn't want to buy a new passport until my current one is close to expiration since they're pretty expensive to renew through the Embassy.

I think I'm just going to not change my name on the tickets or on my passport. The most important thing I imagine is that your passport matches your tickets, and for the Green Card I can always bring the old one (which then will be expired but still will show the maiden name), and receipt for the new one since I seriously doubt I will have the actual new card in hand by then and a copy of our marriage certificate. I'm pretty sure it'll be fine!