Correct name to use on I-485 (Maiden or Married)

[Al422 221]

Quick question on I-485. My wife (Candy) arrived here in June. We are now married and are filling out the I-485. While this sounds silly, I am sure if we get this wrong we will drive the bureacrats bonkers, so better to ask and find out:

Where it asks for her name, does she use her maiden surname or her married surname? We have of course the copy of the marriage certificate.

Also in her culture (Philippines), the wife changes her middle name to her maiden surname. That is not on any official document at this time. Which do we list? Her official middle name or her maiden name, which is to be her new married middle name?

[mymarley 14]

Married name..

First name, lastname before married, last name of the husband...

[clairegie 265]

On your marriage license, it had a part that said new name after marriage or something. what did you guys put there?

I did mine the same as Marley, (first name) (my maiden last name) (my husband's last name)

That's how I filled out my AOS package too.

Edited August 17, 2014 by iammrsregi

[Al422 221]

Yes exactly. My last name is her married surname on our marraige license.

So we can put her maiden surname as her new middle name? No official document says that. Is that what you did?

[clairegie 265]

Yes, put her maiden surname as her new middle name. That's how I did mine on all my new I.D's and on the AOS package.

[Al422 221]

Thank you both.

[mcuzin1985 13]

The answer all depends on what you want the green card to have. If you PLAN on changing her name with the social security office to "First Maiden Married" then put that on the application.

Good luck with your AOS process and be prepared for a 5-12 month long process

[Al422 221]

The answer all depends on what you want the green card to have. If you PLAN on changing her name with the social security office to "First Maiden Married" then put that on the application.

Good luck with your AOS process and be prepared for a 5-12 month long process

Thank you as well. Yes that is exactly the name she wants to have.

No problem with the processing time. Unlike with the K-1 she is here, so no rush. Whatever it takes, we wait because we wait together. I am in heaven now that my wife and I are one.

Edited August 18, 2014 by Al422