How to drop second last name?

[emmaface 12]

I've done some searching and I've found a few threads that touch on this topic, but nothing that really specifically answers my question about my husband's last names. Most of the double last name threads I've seen are more about internationally traveling with documents that have a name missing, or how to drop the second last name when adjusting status.

My husband coming from Mexico wants to drop his maternal last name completely when he comes to the US. His birth certificate, Mexican passport, Mexican ID card, and our marriage certificate/license have both his last names, but he wants his green card, SSN card, and everything else in America to be with his first last name only. His complete (example fake name) is Juan Carlos Ramirez Perez de Fernandez. He wants to completely drop the Perez de Fernandez, he never uses it or refers to himself with that name, and because it's so long he's afraid USCIS will shorten it by taking out the wrong names and leave him with Juan Carlos Fernandez. He REALLY doesn't want a mistake like that to happen, and his name is so long we think something will get cut out somewhere - he just wants to make sure they cut out the part he actually wants to lose!

So my main question: Should we complete the I-130 with only Juan Carlos Ramirez, and put the Perez de Fernandez in the "Other Names Used" box? If we complete the I-130 that way, will his green card and SSN card have only the one last name? Should we explain in the cover letter that he wants to use only the one last name for all USA legal purposes? I've seen all different name mixups and changes, and I'm really wondering if there's any rhyme or reason to it, or if it's just a crapshoot and you never know what they decide your name will be

And a followup question: If anyone has been through this in Texas specifically, when he applies for a Texas ID, if his green card and SSN card have one last name, will they issue the ID with the one name on his green card and SSN, or two names from his passport? From what I've read, this can vary state to state and I'd love to hear from someone who has been through this in TX.

Thank you!

[milimelo 4,571]

Immigrant visa will be issued according to how it's written in his passport. Then the GC will come according to that.

What he needs to do is either have it changed prior to the interview with Mexican authorities and bring proof of that and the new passport with the new last name, or make the change come naturalization time.

[Boggy1974 124]

Why he do a name change through a court degree in Mexico. Get a new passport & other IDs?

Then present these new docs when he comes over.

[emmaface 12]

Immigrant visa will be issued according to how it's written in his passport. Then the GC will come according to that.

What he needs to do is either have it changed prior to the interview with Mexican authorities and bring proof of that and the new passport with the new last name, or make the change come naturalization time.

He would rather not change his name in Mexico, to avoid any future problems he might have with his pension.

In theory the visa and GC should match the passport, but then there are people who say the GC came with just the one name, like someone posted in this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/261876-two-last-names-on-birth-certificate-can-i-use-one-last-name-for-everything/

Posted 24 June 2010 - 02:09 PM

I would follow what is on your GC. My husband's birth certificate and passport (from his home country) have both of his last names. His GC came with only his father's last name. He is now using only his father's last name for documents such as ssc, driver's license, univeristy, etc. When we fly he uses both last names.

We made an infopass appointment which confirmed that his full name (both father and mother's last names) was registered as an "Alternative Alias" and therefore he should have no problem using it while traveling with his GC and passport.

That's our ideal situation, now the question is how to make it happen that way, or if it's just by chance. I tried sending that person a message to see how they filled out their forms from the beginning, but they haven't been on the site in a while so I don't know if they'll reply.

[rylforever 18]

He could just petition to change his name once he arrives here in the US and then show the final decree of name change to proper authorities here to get his documents reprinted to reflect his new name.

[NorrisSF 16]

if you've already gotten married, GC will come in the same name as passport / marriage certificate. if there is an american Marriage certificate with a name change (which is my case) GC will arrive with new last name (shortened version of previous 2 last name situation). But if the name was not changed at marriage time. He will have to do it officially in the US and once he has the court's resolution, he can request SSN card, GC, etc documents to be reissued in new name.

In Mexico you can only change your name if you can prove that you've been using the name that you want for 5 years with official documentation (ID... in this case GC in new name) or if your name is a source of shame for you.

what I believe that you have to do is when you're filling out the form. the last names go in the last name box. there's people with longer last names and they all fit in the GC, no need to worry about that. you could add a hyphen if you wanted.

Saludos!

Edited February 20, 2014 by NorrisSF