Last Name: Visa/Passport vs Green Card vs Social Security

[f10295 0]

Hello,

My wife immigrated to the US at the end of May after a successful interview in Pakistan. I'm a US citizen. I wanted to see if somebody could help out in terms of her last name change from her maiden to my last name.

Below are the facts at the moment in regards to her last name:

Pakistan Passport/Visa Stamp: Maiden Name

Green Card: Maiden Name (Just paid the fees today, the website said the last name I enter had to match her Visa so used her maiden name. That will arrive in the mail.)

Social Security: Not applied yet.

As mentioned above, we'd like to change her last name from her maiden name to my last name. What would be the easiest/fastest/safest way to make the change?

[superduperfriend 1]

Hi, it depends on what state you live as name change is regulated by state laws. Usually to change a name legally you need a court order. I'm guessing you got married outside the US correct? The easiest way is always to do it through your marriage certificate when u get married in the US.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Moving Here and Your New Life In America forum; topic is not about the spousal visa process itself.

[f10295 0]

Hi, it depends on what state you live as name change is regulated by state laws. Usually to change a name legally you need a court order. I'm guessing you got married outside the US correct? The easiest way is always to do it through your marriage certificate when u get married in the US.

Yes, married outside the US. Don't think getting married in the US is a requirement?

I called the Social Security office and they said they can issue a card with her new last name as long as I bring in the original wedding contract.

My question is then if it will be an issue for traveling if she has her maiden name on her passport/visa and green card and my last name on her social security?

[superduperfriend 1]

Yes, married outside the US. Don't think getting married in the US is a requirement?

I called the Social Security office and they said they can issue a card with her new last name as long as I bring in the original wedding contract.

My question is then if it will be an issue for traveling if she has her maiden name on her passport/visa and green card and my last name on her social security?

really? well if that's what you were told you can go ahead and try that. As per your question, hmm I don't think it will be a problem because u r not required to travel with your SS card or show it when you go through immigration. As long as her passport and green card have the same names I don't see a problem.

[f10295 0]

really? well if that's what you were told you can go ahead and try that. As per your question, hmm I don't think it will be a problem because u r not required to travel with your SS card or show it when you go through immigration. As long as her passport and green card have the same names I don't see a problem.

That's what I was thinking, just wanted to confirm. I believe her foreign passport and green card would suffice for her travel needs.

I'm thinking I take our wedding contract when I go to have her social security card made and have that made with her last name.

I can then use the social security card + whatever other documents are required to add her to my bank account, apply for a state ID, etc... (all in her new name).

That should be fine you think?

[Darnell 8,478]

does the marriage contract show her new name, or no ?

if no - sorry, not of any use.

ssn tied to name in federal-issued document - passport, visa, etc.

green card tied to name in federal-issued document - passport, visa, etc.

[f10295 0]

does the marriage contract show her new name, or no ?

if no - sorry, not of any use.

ssn tied to name in federal-issued document - passport, visa, etc.

green card tied to name in federal-issued document - passport, visa, etc.

I have both a marriage contract and certificate that shows her name (maiden) along with my name.

I called the SS office and they said that bringing in ID along with a marriage certificate should suffice in getting my last name on her SS card.

Then going forward, she'd have my name on her SS card and her maiden on her passport/visa and green card.

[Dave&Roza 748]

I have both a marriage contract and certificate that shows her name (maiden) along with my name.

I called the SS office and they said that bringing in ID along with a marriage certificate should suffice in getting my last name on her SS card.

Then going forward, she'd have my name on her SS card and her maiden on her passport/visa and green card.

Depending on the training level of the SSA employee, you can bring in her passport, birth certificate and/or GC (one is used for ID and the other for age; some require two separate documents others do not). the Marriage Certificate, and the SS-5. She SHOULD be able to use the Marriage Certificate as an official name change document for SSA purposes. Her passport and GC will still be in her maiden name. For the GC I would wait until you file for removal of conditions (ROC) and just place her married name on the form. This method avoids having to pay the $450 fee for a new GC. Her passport is based on her home country and what they require and whether you can do it in the US or not. She will use her passport and GC for international travel--passport to leave the US and enter other countries, GC to re-enter the US only. The SSN is used for taxes, employment, and other financial issues.

Dave

[f10295 0]

Depending on the training level of the SSA employee, you can bring in her passport, birth certificate and/or GC (one is used for ID and the other for age; some require two separate documents others do not). the Marriage Certificate, and the SS-5. She SHOULD be able to use the Marriage Certificate as an official name change document for SSA purposes. Her passport and GC will still be in her maiden name. For the GC I would wait until you file for removal of conditions (ROC) and just place her married name on the form. This method avoids having to pay the $450 fee for a new GC. Her passport is based on her home country and what they require and whether you can do it in the US or not. She will use her passport and GC for international travel--passport to leave the US and enter other countries, GC to re-enter the US only. The SSN is used for taxes, employment, and other financial issues.

Dave

This was extremely helpful Dave! I'll leave the GC and Passport as is and make the change on her SS card and use that for ID purposes going forward. Thank you and everyone else and best of luck.

[Darnell 8,478]

i dunno - if the marriage cert not show her NEW name, HERS - then SSA clerk will go wonky.

if it shows 'Alice Smith' and 'John Jones' but not show 'Alice Jones' or 'Alice Smith Jones' then the SSA clerk will get confused, being used to American marriage certs showing stuff this way.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

i dunno - if the marriage cert not show her NEW name, HERS - then SSA clerk will go wonky.

if it shows 'Alice Smith' and 'John Jones' but not show 'Alice Jones' or 'Alice Smith Jones' then the SSA clerk will get confused, being used to American marriage certs showing stuff this way.

No, not all of them show it like this.

I think the thing to do was to get the passport renewed in the married name, but it is too late for that. She can change the name at ROC.

You can get a SSN in the married name, probably, but I don't see the point, as no one sees it. If they make a fuss about it I would just get the SSN in the maiden name, for now.

[f10295 0]

No, not all of them show it like this.

I think the thing to do was to get the passport renewed in the married name, but it is too late for that. She can change the name at ROC.

You can get a SSN in the married name, probably, but I don't see the point, as no one sees it. If they make a fuss about it I would just get the SSN in the maiden name, for now.

I want to get the SSN with her new last name so I can use it for ID going forward such as adding her to my bank account, getting a state ID, etc....

[Darnell 8,478]

So what's in the marriage cert that will assist a SSA clerk in getting what you want ?

Apologies for sounding dense, but it is what it is.

[f10295 0]

So what's in the marriage cert that will assist a SSA clerk in getting what you want ?

Apologies for sounding dense, but it is what it is.

I'm aiming to get her Social Security card with my last name.

A marriage certificate is proof of her and I's marrage, hence the basis for her taking my last name.