*First* name change for spouse after POE but before green card received?

[Barry and Mila 5]

My wife would like her first name to be different on all her US documents, last name unchanged. She got her visa, entered the US three weeks ago, and would like to get a shortened version of her first name on her green card before it is issued. She got her SSN a few days ago, her unchanged name is on it. Same is true of course of her passport.

Can anyone advise me what we have to do to get her first name changed on her green card? On her SSN card? On other documents? Thanks.

--BF

[Ryan H 3,812]

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion.***

**Moderator hat off**

If you want the name on the Green Card to be changed, you will have to file an I-90 and pay the $450 fee.

[Ksenia_O 696]

As stated above to change the name on her green card you will have to file an I-90 and pay the $450 fee. As soon as her green card with new name on it is "in hands", you will be able to change the name on other docs, issued in the US - SSN (first) , then Driver License, credit/debit cards and so on.

A green card is a permission to reside and take employment in the United States. It also allows the entry to the US. But her passport is the only document she can use to travel abroad. The name on both docs (green card and passport) must match to avoid of possible problems during "check in" and leaving other countries for the US.

So, after receiving the green card with new name on it she has to change her name and in her Passport. It can be "painful" process. It depends. There are some criterias you have to meet to be able to change your International (travel) passport here, in the US. It you don't meet them, you will need to change the name on your interior (Ukrainian) passport first. It means a trip to Ukraine. And it can take up to 1.5 months. Sometimes even longer.

Don't know all situation with her names (both - first and last) on the US docs and Ukrainian. But again, it can bring you to the next problem, with her last name.

Is her US docs are under married name, but Passport is still under maiden one? .

[aaron2020 11,651]

My wife would like her first name to be different on all her US documents, last name unchanged. She got her visa, entered the US three weeks ago, and would like to get a shortened version of her first name on her green card before it is issued. She got her SSN a few days ago, her unchanged name is on it. Same is true of course of her passport.

Can anyone advise me what we have to do to get her first name changed on her green card? On her SSN card? On other documents? Thanks.

--BF

To change her first name, she will need a state court order. A person needs a legal court order to change a first name.

Once you get her first name legally changed, then you can get her documents changed to her new legal name.

[aaron2020 11,651]

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion.***

**Moderator hat off**

If you want the name on the Green Card to be changed, you will have to file an I-90 and pay the $450 fee.

She wants to change her first name. USCIS will want a court order allowing her to change her first name in order to issue a green card with her new first name.

[Ksenia_O 696]

She wants to change her first name. USCIS will want a court order allowing her to change her first name in order to issue a green card with her new first name.

..I didn't know that! Thank you for info.

[aaron2020 11,651]

..I didn't know that! Thank you for info.

There has to be a legal basis for USCIS to change the name on the green card.

We can not take on new legal names whenever we want.

[Barry and Mila 5]

Thank you all very much, this is quite helpful. I'm guessing we'll just leave things alone for a while until the dust has settled, and then decide if the up-front hassle is worth the long-term benefits of having a simpler first name.

Much appreciated!

--BF