CR1- visa , last name change in foreign country

[Hanani 0]

I am a south african who got married to an american (military) in south korea recently. I just received my CR1 visa. Our marriage certificate does not indicate a name change ( i am still in my maiden name on it) as Koreans do not change their last names. I would like to change my last name to my husbands before while still in korea so that my green card and social security card will be with my new last name.

Can you please advise me whether i can change it in a foreign country? If yes, what will the procedure be and where will we have to do this? Can we do it at the american embassy in korea?

Thank you

[nightingalejules 678]

My marriage certificate also has the maiden name rather than married, and all I had to do was take the marriage certificate to the licensing bureau and apply for a new drivers license in my married name.

This may be more difficult in Korea, I have no idea. Is your new husband stationed in Korea? Is there someone you can ask about what the rules are for doing a change of name in Korea?

Probably the place I would start is to find out what identification you'd need to get a new South African passport with your new name, and then try to get those, so you can use your new passport as the foundation documents for your US immigration documents.

You will need to start with your South African ID, before the US. After all, your Visa will be in your South African passport. (What you get before your green card) Those are the things you will want to have match.

Edited April 29, 2014 by nightingalejules

[Hanani 0]

Thank you for rthe response, yes he is stationed here, but we'll be leaving ( moving) to america on 30th june 2014. His next station! I have to complete the online form to get my green card after i have enterd america, but would like to be able to fill it in with my husbands last name so that i will not have to apply for a new one once i get this one with my maiden name! I am not sure if this will complicate the whole immigration process? Along with my CR1 visa and packet they gave me a form with my alias with my husbands last name. Does this mean i can complete the form with my alias name?

I have heard on other sites that i can get all my documents changed in america ( new last name) without having to change everything in south africa! I have a recently issued south african passport ( valid till 2023) and will not be going to south africa any time soon to be able to apply for a new one.

I have tried to find out about being able to do it here, but have ha no luck! Will keep trying

I would just like to skip the wait and having to pay $400 for a new green card after arriving in america.

[pushbrk 13,133]

Which name is on your S.A. passport? The correct procedure would have been to apply for the visa in the married name and use the petition processing time to get a new passport in that name. Whatever you do, make sure you buy any international airline tickets in the name on your current passport, or they will be unusable.

[Hanani 0]

My passport is in my maiden name. I already did the petition and received my visa, as my husband is in the military and had to get everything expeded as he has to be at his next station. I suppose my safest option would be to stay on my maiden name ( to uncomplicate everything) and wait till i can file for citizenship and get an american passport with my new name.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Hanani

[pushbrk 13,133]

That would be the simplest and least expensive option, yes. My wife is Chinese, so did not change her name. She doesn't mind being referred to as Mrs. Pushbrk and I am sometimes referred to as Mr. "hername". It's all good.