AOS question

[salmuf 9]

You're spreading complete nonsense. There is no official name chance, once you get married you can just start using it. All it's needed is marriage certificate. My wife did not "official name chance", just started using it. Didn't have to opt for anything.

Ok first of all, please learn some manners. Nobody is "spreading" any "nonsense".

I'll still choose to be polite enough to give you some advice. If you're saying your wife hasn't changed her name in her official documents like SSN, drivers license and passport then better go do it.

[kzielu 1,149]

Ok first of all, please learn some manners. Nobody is "spreading" any "nonsense".

I'll still choose to be polite enough to give you some advice. If you're saying your wife hasn't changed her name in her official documents like SSN, drivers license and passport then better go do it.

She did change - just because she decided to. Nothing else.

You do not need nothing else to change the name other than make a decision to do so. All is needed to change it in official docs is marriage certificate, but some things never get changes (like titles issued using previous names) and that isn't a problem either.

[salmuf 9]

She did change - just because she decided to. Nothing else.

You do not need nothing else to change the name other than make a decision to do so. All is needed to change it in official docs is marriage certificate, but some things never get changes (like titles issued using previous names) and that isn't a problem either.

Well good for her.

I do not think I said anything different from this. Official name change means getting your name changed in important official documents.

And once a person makes the "decision" like you said they need to, they also need to go change their name in the documents.

Have a nice day.

Edited February 19, 2015 by salmuf

[Marco&Bettina 502]

Congrats on your marriage!

[N&S 32]

Regarding name change - it seems to vary by state. For example here in MA filling in your new last name on the marriage license (which you then hand back to city office and get your marriage certificate) is sufficient to change your last name, in FL you don't seem to put your (new) married name on the license therefore you have to take more steps to change it officially since it longer defaults to woman taking man's name.

[avrora9002 21]

I got married yesterday, and the judge told me all i have to do is sign the marriage certificate with my new married name.

[mymarley 14]

I automatically changed my lastname into marriedname when they issued the marriage certificate. Soo since mc need in filing in aos i followed what i wrote there (marriedname).. even when i applied ssn automatic marriedname.... The thing is its all up to you..if you want your oldname appeard in the card or your marriedname.. i choose my.marriedname coz eventually i will report marriage in the consulate and change my passport to marriedname.

The official document for name change is your marriag certificate... Like when i applied learners permit they need document for my name changed bcoz my passort is in single name.. i just showed my mc to them...

Edited February 19, 2015 by mymarley

[pennyday 1]

I'm A Permanent resident and i'm going to file a petition for my husband... on completing the G-325A Biographic form it asks for a "File Number A-" do I leave it blank or put none? Also at the bottom of the form it asks for an Alien registration number. Is this the same thing or something different. I know to find my ALien Registration number, but what confuse me is the File NUmber A? again, does File NUmber A on the upper right of the form G325A and the ALien registration number are the same number?

Please Guys Help me!

[salmuf 9]

I'm A Permanent resident and i'm going to file a petition for my husband... on completing the G-325A Biographic form it asks for a "File Number A-" do I leave it blank or put none? Also at the bottom of the form it asks for an Alien registration number. Is this the same thing or something different. I know to find my ALien Registration number, but what confuse me is the File NUmber A? again, does File NUmber A on the upper right of the form G325A and the ALien registration number are the same number?

Please Guys Help me!

Yes the file number A and the alien registration number are both the same in the G325A.

Unless your spouse had any previous visas to the US, they will not have an A number right now and it will be issued with the NOA1 Notice of Acceptance that you will receive in a few days of filing the application. So if they don't have an A number, leave it blank

[pennyday 1]

Yes the file number A and the alien registration number are both the same in the G325A.

Unless your spouse had any previous visas to the US, they will not have an A number right now and it will be issued with the NOA1 Notice of Acceptance that you will receive in a few days of filing the application. So if they don't have an A number, leave it blank

Thank so much Salmuf! Thank you very much! Ok on my part as the petitioner both File number A and ALien registration number are both the same... While on my husband's G325A File Number A and Alien Registration Number should be put Blank. Now it's Clear! Thank you again and God Bless!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Well good for her.

I do not think I said anything different from this. Official name change means getting your name changed in important official documents.

And once a person makes the "decision" like you said they need to, they also need to go change their name in the documents.

Have a nice day.

a) Your name or surname will not change unless you file for an official name change

You can't just start using your husband's surname and it doesn't become "your new surname" unless you have officially got a name change.

No. You are incorrect. That is all there is to it.

Not all states have you list what name you will use after marriage onto the license/certificate. You can still begin using your new married right away. The marriage certificate is your official legal name change document, with or without the name you intend to use from now on.

Someone filing for AOS would use their new married name on all their forms and then once they receive their EAD/AP or green card, they will have an official government ID in their married name to use. The EAD can be used to change the name on your SSN and get a state ID or license in your new name.

Those that are already US citizens can begin using their new married names right away and change their name on all their accounts at their leisure. Some people even retain accounts in their maiden name while having some in their married name. This is perfectly legal and ok to do.

The only time someone needs to actually file for a name change is if they are changing their name just because they wish to and not through marriage, or are changing their name in a way that is not legally allowed through marriage name change alone, like changing their first name. Then you would need to file an order of name change with the courts and pay the fee to do so. Then that court order would act as your legal name change document, the same as a marriage certificate acts as one for those changing their names through marriage.

Of course if someone is changing their name, they would also change their name on their accounts and IDs, but that is not what makes it official. The marriage and them choosing to use their spouse's name is what did.

Changing the name with the SSA does not make a name change 'official'. An SSN cannot be used as a form of ID. The name needs to match on the SSN that you have on your IDs and use for work and taxes. That was the purpose of the SSN, for recording your earnings.

"The card was never intended to serve as a personal identification document—that is, it does not establish that the person presenting the card is actually the person whose name and SSN appear on the card. Although SSA has made the card counterfeit-resistant, the card does not contain information that would allow it to be used as proof of identity. However, the simplicity and efficiency of using a unique number that most people already possess has encouraged widespread use of the SSN by both government agencies and private enterprises, especially as they have adapted their recordkeeping and business systems to automated data processing. Use of the SSN as a convenient means of identifying people in large systems of records has increased over the years and its expanded use appears to be an enduring trend."

You can read all about "How did the SSN come to be, and why has it become an unofficial national identifier?" here > http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v69n2/v69n2p55.html

[rosejosh 2]

You can't just start using your husband's surname and it doesn't become "your new surname" unless you have officially got a name change.

Yes you can. All of my wife's cards are in her married name except her SS until yesterday.

1. When you fill out your AOS paperwork, use the name you want after your marriage. If you follow Filipino naming standards, that would be your first name, former last name, husband's last name. That way your EAD/AP card will be in your name after marriage, and in the future your green card. Once you get your EAD/AP with your new married name, you will just go to the SSA office and get your name changed on the SSN card. Simple as that.

2. The A# is listed on the NOA2 from the I-129F petition.

3. You are filing as a permanent resident.

4. CFO wants to call you because it's a survey. They want to see how you are doing. Trust me, if you don't call them, they WILL call you. I thought it was crazy when my wife said that CFO would call her in the US, but they did.

5. No reason is needed when filing for AP. You can write UNKNOWN for dates of travel and length of stay.

This is not entirely correct. The marriage certificate serves as a name change document. Some states do not allow you to change your name on the marriage certificate directly, but you can go to the SSA office with the marriage certificate and get your name legally changed that way. Once your name is changed with the SSA, you can change the rest of your identity documents accordingly.

Yes you can. The marriage certificate is your official document of name change.

thank you for the responses . my surname didnt change on my marriage certificate and i have no plan to change it right now.. so that's ok..

anyway, i still have a problem, do i need to submit the original marriage certificate for the AOS or just a copy?

[KHnTX 4]

thank you for the responses . my surname didnt change on my marriage certificate and i have no plan to change it right now.. so that's ok..

anyway, i still have a problem, do i need to submit the original marriage certificate for the AOS or just a copy?

In my state the marriage license has my wife's maiden name on it and a return address to MR and MRS(surname) but I think the certified copy only has her maiden name on it if I recall correctly.

We submitted a copy of the original with our AOS.

You can get a certified copy from your county/city records department for a small fee If you haven't sent in your report of marriage to the consulate. You should get a certified copy of the marriage certificate, they will send it back back and for a few bucks it's worth the piece of mind of not having your original in your possession unless you go direct to the consulate or one of the outreaches. You will have to renew your passport in person though.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

thank you for the responses . my surname didnt change on my marriage certificate and i have no plan to change it right now.. so that's ok..

anyway, i still have a problem, do i need to submit the original marriage certificate for the AOS or just a copy?

You submit a copy of the marriage certificate you get from the court after your marriage has been registered.