Changing your name when you're from Quebec

[SM2013 0]

Hi,

I just got married to an american citizen. I just filed my application for AOS. As I am the female, I would like to change my name and take his. I don't know how this works since the issuing authority for my birth certificate and other ID's is the province of Quebec, except for my passport which is the Canadian federal government. The thing is, the province of Quebec usually doesn't allow the brides to take their husbands' names. I would not want to take his name if we lived in Quebec but since my name is very hard to pronounce in English and I will be living in the US, it's easier for me to go by his name. Has anyone from Quebec been through this process? Or from English Canada?

Thanks in advance

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can put your new name on the AOS paperwork. USCIS will accept your marriage cert as proof of name change. You can leave your Canadian docs in the old name if you wish; it's not a problem. You do not need to produce any ID with your new name on it before applying for AOS.

[ValerieA 350]

I took my husband's name simply by filing my AOS paperwork under it instead of my maiden name - then the green card is issued in your married name, and voila, there's your ID! All your US id will be in your married name, since you will use your GC as proof of identity (for SSN and drivers' license, for example). I left my Canadian passport in my maiden name, since you have to actually re-apply from scratch to get a name change on it. When I travel I just make sure I have a copy of my marriage certificate with me, in case there are questions why my passport doesn't match my green card. Hasn't happened yet, though, despite several trips back to Canada.

[SM2013 0]

Thanks for your quick responses! Oops, I filed for AOS with my maiden name... don't know what to do now... any thoughts?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Thanks for your quick responses! Oops, I filed for AOS with my maiden name... don't know what to do now... any thoughts?

Well, you can ask to have the name changed to married name at your interview - they may grant your request.

Or you can pay to get your GC changed when it comes (I think it's $450).

Or you can wait 2 years until Removal of Conditions and get a new GC in married name then (next step after you get your Greencard).

[Leo7777 243]

I am a male . . . I don't understand this need or rush for females to get documents showing last name as husband's.

Stick with your maiden name on all new documents. It will match with all your previous existing documents.

Name on your plane tickets will match name on your passport and on credit cards.

No need to carry marriage certificate with you.

Only if you plan to visit a bed and breakfast in Amish country would you need to prove that you are married.

And, although all your documents remain in your maiden name (Susan Brown), you can still call and allow yourself to be called Mr and Mrs John Smith for social events, etc.

And looking further down the road - - - after the divorce, no need to go through the hassles of getting rid of that Smith name on documents, passports, driver's license, etc.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I am a male . . . I don't understand this need or rush for females to get documents showing last name as husband's.

Stick with your maiden name on all new documents. It will match with all your previous existing documents.

Name on your plane tickets will match name on your passport and on credit cards.

No need to carry marriage certificate with you.

Only if you plan to visit a bed and breakfast in Amish country would you need to prove that you are married.

And, although all your documents remain in your maiden name (Susan Brown), you can still call and allow yourself to be called Mr and Mrs John Smith for social events, etc.

And looking further down the road - - - after the divorce, no need to go through the hassles of getting rid of that Smith name on documents, passports, driver's license, etc.

Because some people want to. They don't need to justify the decision to you. :S

[Leo7777 243]

Because some people want to. They don't need to justify the decision to you. :S

I said I didn't understand need; I didn't say 'justify to me.'

I gave logical reasons for not changing name.

Any harm in listing 'logical reasons' (as opposed to emotional) for changing name?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I said I didn't understand need; I didn't say 'justify to me.'

I gave logical reasons for not changing name.

Any harm in listing 'logical reasons' (as opposed to emotional) for changing name?

Well, on a forum such as this there are people from everywhere and all these people will have wide-ranging opinions on how to live their lives. There is no harm in listing positives to not changing the name, but you said it as a directive: "Stick with your maiden name on all new documents..."

Some people just want to have their husband's name. It is perfectly easy to do so, in fact it is so easy, it just takes is writing it down. These people might come for help on how to do that, and I, for one, think it is best just to help them with what they want instead of telling them to do something else because "I don't understand it." Their mind is already made up.

Generally, that is how a help forum like this works.

[Leo7777 243]

I understand your words. But on this very forum; how have you and others responded when someone writes - - - I like it here in the USA. I really don't love this woman/man, but if I get married, then I can get a green card, etc., and then we will get divorced later. Please tell me how I can go about doing this.

Or, what if you were monitoring a suicide line. Would you help them with what they wanted to do?

Isn't there room for pointing out some alternative thoughts concerning something that someone wants to do; even when their mind is made up?

These people might come for help on how to do that, and I, for one, think it is best just to help them with what they want instead of telling them to do something else because "I don't understand it." Their mind is already made up.

Generally, that is how a help forum like this works.

[SM2013 0]

Hi everyone, Thank you for your responses. I will ask during the interview and if that does not work, I will take care of it later.

@Leo7777, it's totally understandable that you don't understand the need/urge to change names. In fact, there is no need or urge on my part and it is more of a practical reason than an emotional reason, which is in no case to prove I am married. One reason for me to change my name is that I have 2 last names that are very hard to pronounce in English and spelling them is even harder... I've gone through my life being "not on the list" because of misspellings even in my own French-speaking Canadian province. I see this as an opportunity to make my life easier by a few simple steps and also because I will feel like I am really part of my new family, which is an added benefit (even though they would accept me and love me just as much). This is just so you can understand my decision...A good approach would be to ask me about my reasons to do so before telling me not to do it!

And I am totally aware that not changing my name would involve less paperwork. Not being in a long-distance relationship for several years with an American will also have made my life easier but sometimes the easiest choice is not the right one...

As for comparing this with suicide help lines, I am not sure this is a good analogy since people call those help lines not to learn on how to successfully commit suicide but to seek help and overcome their depression/sadness. Also, I don't think I would harm myself or my peers by changing my name as much as I would if my life ended.

Anyways, no offense

@Harpa Timsah you have a good approach to these forums, thank you

@ValerieA: Good to know I don't need to bother with Canadian ID's

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

SM, I hope you saw my post earlier about your next chances to change your name on US IDs. Good luck.

[Rominibora 0]

Well, you can ask to have the name changed to married name at your interview - they may grant your request.

Or you can pay to get your GC changed when it comes (I think it's $450).

Or you can wait 2 years until Removal of Conditions and get a new GC in married name then (next step after you get your Greencard).

I was just looking for this info... I also send my aos papers on maiden name. I was wondering when could I change it... Thanks :3

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

If you want to get your citizenship three years later from now and don't feel so urgent about your family name to be change just wait for your citizenship where you can change your name in any way, shape, or form without any troubles...

Edited December 4, 2013 by AnotherLostSoul

[SM2013 0]

Hi Harpa Timsah!

Sorry for the late response. I did see your response. Will try to ask for it during my interview which is in about a month (the process was really quick!). If they don't grant it, then I will wait 2 more years like you suggested.

@AnotherLostSoul, that is a good idea. I would rather start my career and get my first American ID's with my new name right away, but if all else fails, I could do what you suggested. Thank you all for your responses! Very helpful!