Should we change name? (merged)

[JCV 5]

Hey, so my husband and I got married last week in USA. on the marriage certificate it says our own names, we got told by our lawyer it looks best to change my name. When we went back to the clerk after getting married they told us that they couldn't do it for a immigrant, we sent off our i130 with my new name and I plan to change my passport name and bank etc when i get back to uk this week. However as i lived in usa for a year i have a social security number it just isnt 'valid' as i don't own the visa. I leave back to UK tomorrow evening, would it be best if i go and change my name on my old security number?

Thanks for any help

[Ilovemyman 147]

For change names is with your marriage certificate , you go to social security office and made the changes, and when fill out the papers for the petition you fill out with your new name and your green card will arrive with the new name.

[NikLR 13,232]

it's not required to change your name. Many of us go through this journey with maiden names. Saylin is one for example.

If you want your eventual green card to have your married name on it (without paying $450 to change it), then yes, you need to change your name on your passport. Visa comes in passport name, and green card comes in Visa name. You can change your SSN once you move back to the USA if you want or you can do it now. It doesn't matter.

[lost_at_sea 995]

You don't need to change your name (I have not, and will not). Your lawyer is crackers.

Use the name *you* want to use.

Edited December 7, 2014 by lost_at_sea

[Ontarkie 14,664]

~~Duplicate threads merged. Please do not make multiple threads for the same or similar topics.~~

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The lawyer is a misogynist. Changing your name in this day and age means absolutely nothing. For example, in Quebec (Canada') women for generations haven't been changing their last names. Russian women don't often change their last names. It's silly to do it because it looks good.

[99balloons 12]

I will change my surname after my husband comes..not before. And only because I promised him and I love him, For now I have 2 years worth of a visa for his country....A valid passport..Credit cards, drivers license, insurance/life polcies work/education credentials, properties in several countries,I will be time consuming and expensive... I wish USCIS/DOS would get out of the stone ages and not think "we are not serious" if we do not immediately change to our husbands' name...Don't sweat it. Tell USCIS and your lawyer you will do it later (if you and your husband really want to). In my husband's marriage code, wife retains her name and is called "Madame (my husband's name)".

[mallafri76 1,012]

The decision which last name to use or to use a combination of both is s personal decision and not something that should be done because it'll "look good". I would like to think that USCIS wouldn't make a decision whether you're in a bona fida marriage or not based on what last name you have. I'm sure you and your husband had this decision before getting married and have already decided what name to take. Stick to that and don't let that lawyer scare you into something else. Lawyers will say and do anything for money.

[Ryan H 3,840]

USCIS and Embasssies/Consulates don't care if you change your name or not, it has no bearing on the outcome of a case. Anyone suggesting or implying otherwise is incorrect.