US citizen name change while Husband's AOS pending

[Caitlin and Jose 0]

Does anyone know if it will affect my Husband's AOS pettition if I change my last name while pending. I want to take his last name, we didn't have time after the wedding to do so and now that the pettition is submitted (a week or so ago). I would like to take this time to change my last name to his although cleary in all the pettiton papers my current madien last name is there. Should I just wait till he recieves his Greencard? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Lainie B 465]

You can take his name from the day you get married. The marriage certificate is the proof of name change. You just start using his name, you don't have to do anything, so I'm not sure what you mean by "we didn't have time after the wedding". The wedding itself is where you take his name.

Edited February 8, 2014 by Lainie B

[noncompute 9]

Does anyone know if it will affect my Husband's AOS pettition if I change my last name while pending. I want to take his last name, we didn't have time after the wedding to do so and now that the pettition is submitted (a week or so ago). I would like to take this time to change my last name to his although cleary in all the pettiton papers my current madien last name is there. Should I just wait till he recieves his Greencard? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

You're confused about when your name actually changes. When you get married, it's officially changed (whether you went and changed your name on your SS card, driver's license, etc). If your married name as you want to have it on your marriage license and it doesn't appear the right way on the certificate, you'll probably have to get a court order to change it.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Does anyone know if it will affect my Husband's AOS pettition if I change my last name while pending. I want to take his last name, we didn't have time after the wedding to do so and now that the pettition is submitted (a week or so ago). I would like to take this time to change my last name to his although cleary in all the pettiton papers my current madien last name is there. Should I just wait till he recieves his Greencard? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I think you should be fine. I did exactly what you're looking to do. I sent off my husband's AOS forms and put my maiden name on the forms (since legally that was still my identity). I've since gone through the process of changing my name on my driver's license, passport, credit cards, etc. Although I think he's going to be in the "interview waiver" group, if we do have an interview, the marriage certificate will show clearly the legal right to change the name. At this point, it's all about him, and little do with you. They can tie your maiden and married name together with your SSN.

[noncompute 9]

I think you should be fine. I did exactly what you're looking to do. I sent off my husband's AOS forms and put my maiden name on the forms (since legally that was still my identity). I've since gone through the process of changing my name on my driver's license, passport, credit cards, etc. Although I think he's going to be in the "interview waiver" group, if we do have an interview, the marriage certificate will show clearly the legal right to change the name. At this point, it's all about him, and little do with you. They can tie your maiden and married name together with your SSN.

Hey, I'm about a month behind you on AOS. After you did your biometrics appointment, did you get put into "Testing and Interview" status before they skipped the interview process? Or did it go straight to "Decision".

[ChicagoSarah 127]

His status on USCIS hasn't changed for AOS - it has said Acceptance since Nov 20. He got his EAD/AP card last month. I've seen other people already have interview letters who filed AOS after we did, so I'm assuming we'll wait 4-5 months and then receive an "interview waiver" letter. So...no idea. Doesn't really matter since he can work and travel. Green card will arrive one way or another!

[Caitlin and Jose 0]

I think you should be fine. I did exactly what you're looking to do. I sent off my husband's AOS forms and put my maiden name on the forms (since legally that was still my identity). I've since gone through the process of changing my name on my driver's license, passport, credit cards, etc. Although I think he's going to be in the "interview waiver" group, if we do have an interview, the marriage certificate will show clearly the legal right to change the name. At this point, it's all about him, and little do with you. They can tie your maiden and married name together with your SSN.

Thanks! That is what I was thinking. I was referring to the SSN, license etc. I know its more about him so I figured I would be alright but I wanted to see if anyone had personal expierence with this. Thanks I appreciate the help and I will begin the process!