Social security last name change for a male

[YM86 5]

I have searched for a similar post but could not find the answer to this question. In regards to a k1 visa I would like to know when filing for social security can a male drop one of his last names when filing for social security before marriage?

For example: name is Michael John Smith Peter, can Peter be dropped and have the last name be Smith?

Will this be a issue in the future for getting a marriage license, Adjustment of status etc?

Edited November 20, 2014 by YM86

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to SSN Forum~

~Inquiry about SSN, past K1~

[clairegie 265]

If you're doing it before marriage, I think you should stick to the name that appears on your passport and I-94 first. After getting married and adjusting your status, then do the name change for your SSN.

[belinda63 3,038]

I believe you would need a legal name change as it would not be the name on your birth certificate. In most states you could take your wife's last name by marriage but you can't just change your name because you want to.

[landr 126]

Some states, like California, allow middle and last names to be changed upon marriage, regardless of gender. You'll need to check what's possible in New York. Otherwise, you might need a court order to change your name.

The SSA office will need to verify that your name matches what's in the SAVE system, which is updated from your immigration records. So it's normally advisable for K-1 holders who want to change their name upon marriage to get their SSN in their maiden name. Then when they've applied for AOS in their new married name, they return to the SSA office with their EAD or GC.

Edited November 20, 2014 by landr

[YM86 5]

Using the example: His national id has Smith as the last name but passport has Peter.

In Egypt the last names are fathers name, grandfathers name then great grandfathers name. Him and his father don't have the same last name. It's not like adding a completely different name just dropping the last last one.

[YM86 5]

Some states, like California, allow middle and last names to be changed upon marriage, regardless of gender. You'll need to check what's possible in New York. Otherwise, you might need a court order to change your name.

The SSA office will need to verify that your name matches what's in the SAVE system, which is updated from your immigration records. So it's normally advisable for K-1 holders who want to change their name upon marriage to get their SSN in their maiden name. Then when they've applied for AOS in their new married name, they return to the SSA office with their EAD or GC.

Thank you, I will check what it says for New York.

[justin-s 8]

New York State only allows you to take either your partner's name, or a combination of the two names upon marriage.

You'll have to use a court order. In NYC it's only $65, and should only take about a week if you count in the mandatory publishing in a newspaper.

See this link for info and forms: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/523386-social-security-last-name-change-for-a-male/

Then when it gets to the SSN I'm not too clear. Personally I plan on applying for the SSN in my old name on arrival in the US, then once the name change is final and I've received my SSN, go back and get my name changed on it. If they then refuse, at least I already have the SSN. I can always change it when I get the EAD (which I'll obviously apply for in the new name)

Edit: Do report back with what happened when you actually try to go and get this sorted, so I know whether this will work too. I'll try to remember to do the same if I happen to get these things sorted before you.

Edited November 20, 2014 by justin-s

[YM86 5]

New York State only allows you to take either your partner's name, or a combination of the two names upon marriage.

You'll have to use a court order. In NYC it's only $65, and should only take about a week if you count in the mandatory publishing in a newspaper.

See this link for info and forms: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/523386-social-security-last-name-change-for-a-male/

Then when it gets to the SSN I'm not too clear. Personally I plan on applying for the SSN in my old name on arrival in the US, then once the name change is final and I've received my SSN, go back and get my name changed on it. If they then refuse, at least I already have the SSN. I can always change it when I get the EAD (which I'll obviously apply for in the new name)

Edit: Do report back with what happened when you actually try to go and get this sorted, so I know whether this will work too. I'll try to remember to do the same if I happen to get these things sorted before you.

Thank you for the information. Most likely I will just ask at the social security office if it possible to drop the last name.

When you say you can always change it when applying for the EAD card do you mean after the court order? And also in regards to your passport, do u have to get another passport with the name change or bringing the court order along is fine?

[justin-s 8]

I mean after the court order, yep. I'll include a certified copy with my AOS package so they see the link between the name on my passport/I94 and the one on my AOS package. They'll they send my EAD/AP and GC in my new name as far as I can glean from other people's experiences in the past.

For the passport: I won't change my passport because Belgium doesn't recognize name changes unless you do it through their extremely costly process. I changed my name 9 years ago in the UK with a £26 deed poll and it hasn't given me any trouble getting my UK National Insurance number, employment, bank etc in my new name in the UK, so I don't anticipate it giving me any trouble in the US once I get a court order there.

[Smelserjl 137]

I'm curious about this too. My husband's father has his family name on his passport, which isn't included on my husband's passport or any documents. But--he wants to use this name in the US. I am worried changing it after he gets to the US is going to complicate things. It's not on his birth certificate, passport and our marriage certificate..