Change my last name before CR-1 or after?

[Saskatchewanian 0]

Sorry if this is a commonly asked question. I have not found the answer through any of my searches.

I'm just wondering if it's a bad idea to change my last name after applying for the CR-1 visa? (meaning wait until I have a greencard to do it)

We want to apply directly after we've been married and not waste the time changing my name first.

I have read online that there is a $450 fee to update your greencard (although it is referring to "re-marriage"). Does anyone know if when you renew your greencard you could change it then for free?

If anyone has any experience with this or advice, that would be great.

(I'm Canadian, He's American)

Edited March 20, 2014 by Saskatchewanian

[Darnell 8,478]

if'n you've a passport issued in the name you want,

then all can easily flow from there:

here, all =

canadien drivers license

G-325A data

I-130 document

Visa Application

Medical Exam stuff

Green Card

So, I say - get it done asap, that name change.

Congrats on yer recent marriage - where did you honeymoon?

[pushbrk 12,898]

Sorry if this is a commonly asked question. I have not found the answer through any of my searches.

I'm just wondering if it's a bad idea to change my last name after applying for the CR-1 visa? (meaning wait until I have a greencard to do it)

We want to apply directly after we've been married and not waste the time changing my name first.

I have read online that there is a $450 fee to update your greencard (although it is referring to "re-marriage"). Does anyone know if when you renew your greencard you could change it then for free?

If anyone has any experience with this or advice, that would be great.

(I'm Canadian, He's American)

You do not need to wait until you've legally changed your name to file the petition in the married name. You'll have several months while waiting for the petition to be approved before you'll be allowed to apply for a visa. That's plenty of time to do the change, including a passport in the married name.

[Saskatchewanian 0]

Awesome! Thank you! That solves everything

(We have not yet married...we're getting married next year...I'm just pre-emptively figuring things out)

[NikLR 13,227]

Visa in passport name, green card in visa name. Change the passport before interview and you wont have issues. after that, if you don't want to spend $450 changing the green card the next available time is removal of conditions.