Name change documentation, advice needed please

[oscillate.wildly 1]

Hi everyone,

I have researched this well but still feel like I need a bit of clarification.

I recently got married under K-1 and am about to send off paperwork for AOS/EAD/AP. My former name was 'First, Old Middle Name, Maiden name'. I want my new name to be 'First, Maiden (as new middle name), Husband's last'. I am dropping the old middle name and taking my maiden name as my new middle name. There are no hyphens - the middle and last are distinct.

I have some concerns about how this is documented and for applying for AOS with a new middle and surname. We are in Virginia and as far as I can find out, there is no special process needed to change my middle name.

I am concerned about the following:

- our marriage certificate does NOT have my new name on it. It only states our names before we married, so 'First, Old Middle Name, Maiden name'. I - I have not yet applied for SSN - I will do that this week - but as I understand they may not give me a SSN under my new name 'First, Old Middle Name, Maiden name', it seems to depend on who you get

Therefore, where is my new name actually documented and is 'First, Maiden (as new middle name), Husband's last' my LEGAL name?

My understanding is that I have a right to take my husband's last name. I am not so sure about how this becomes my legal name considering that it is not on the marriage certificate and I am not 'registered' with it anywhere, e.g. SSN

Any help on this would be much appreciated. I have compiled the whole AOS package and it is ready to go, all forms signed and bank statements dated 2 or 3 March so I am keen to get this off before it's too long since we signed everything.

One more question is that should I ever list my old middle name under 'other names used' - seems like just Maiden should be listed but I cannot get anywhere with research on this one

Thanks

[TomEn 90]

Hi there,

Please fill the applications with the way your name needs to be in the GC and other cards and send it in (fill it without the hyphen, which really is not a problem).

1. The day you go in for your bio-metrics, carry the marriage license and your passport, so the officer (who sits in an office and not the bio-metric person) will review the document and sign off the name change.

2. The bio-metric person will then enter the details the way you want the documents to be, make you verify it twice and then will hit submit and ask you to sign on the electronic pad (you can use your new signature on the pad and this time duration will be enough and more to master your married signature)

As for your SSN

1. you will now get the SSN only in your maiden name.

2. Once you receive your GC (not just the EAD / AP combo card but the GC) go back to the SSA and change the name on your SS card. Once the GC is in, they will change your name and also the status on the SS card.

Dont worry about the names in the marriage certificate. That is proof that you (in your maiden name and of sound mind) did marry your husband.

As for the old middle name, yes fill out the forms like this for example;

If your old name was Nancy Maria Smith and now you want your name to be Nancy Smith Borden, fill the forms like...

1. a. Petitioner's Name: Nancy Smith Borden

1. b. Other Names used: Nancy Maria Smith

Hope this was helpful

All the best

PS: This is how I had my name changed and the best key to such govt. documents....DO NOT PANIC!!!

[oscillate.wildly 1]

Thank you so much!

Not sure how to approach SSN - should I apply in my new name and take the marriage cert and hope they issue it in my new name, or should I just apply in my maiden name?

[TomEn 90]

Thank you so much!

Not sure how to approach SSN - should I apply in my new name and take the marriage cert and hope they issue it in my new name, or should I just apply in my maiden name?

You're welcome.

If this is the first time you are applying for an SSN, then you have to apply with the name on your passport (maiden name).

After you receive the green card, you have to go in again and have your name changed on the Social card to the new name

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

It is best to use your original name as they appear on all your documentations. Then when you are done, you apply for name change with your county courthouse or sometimes you just have to go to SSA to get a new SSN with your marriage certificate. From there, you get your Driver license changed.

If try to do it the other way around then you need to change your name on SSN before you mail out your paperwork. Your SSN ties up all your legal information to your former and new identity.

Don't go with a new identity when your SSN card has your old name.

[TomEn 90]

It is best to use your original name as they appear on all your documentations. Then when you are done, you apply for name change with your county courthouse or sometimes you just have to go to SSA to get a new SSN with your marriage certificate. From there, you get your Driver license changed.

If try to do it the other way around then you need to change your name on SSN before you mail out your paperwork. Your SSN ties up all your legal information to your former and new identity.

Don't go with a new identity when your SSN card has your old name.

You cant change your name with SSN unless the name change is registered at the HMS / USCIS offices. I recently went through name change and wheni tried to get it done beat the SSA before the GC came in, they sent me home and asked me to come back once the change is shown on the GC.

SO no,, we now cannot change name on SS card unless the name change reflects on the GC

[oscillate.wildly 1]

It is best to use your original name as they appear on all your documentations. Then when you are done, you apply for name change with your county courthouse or sometimes you just have to go to SSA to get a new SSN with your marriage certificate. From there, you get your Driver license changed.

If try to do it the other way around then you need to change your name on SSN before you mail out your paperwork. Your SSN ties up all your legal information to your former and new identity.

Don't go with a new identity when your SSN card has your old name.

Thanks - assuming you are talking about just SSN

Another thing - all of my bank accounts/proof of assets (we are using assets to supplement income) are in my maiden name. Hopefully this is not an issue. I have included notes stating that the account were opened in my maiden name. I've been looking into it and it's going to be a bit of a nightmare to change the name from overseas

[oscillate.wildly 1]

You cant change your name with SSN unless the name change is registered at the HMS / USCIS offices. I recently went through name change and wheni tried to get it done beat the SSA before the GC came in, they sent me home and asked me to come back once the change is shown on the GC.

SO no,, we now cannot change name on SS card unless the name change reflects on the GC

Annoying. I wonder what happens with work then, when you have EAD and are getting paid under your legal name but your SSN is in your maiden name? I hear conflicting things about whether they will let you change your name after getting the EAD or whether you need to wait for GC.

[TomEn 90]

Wait for the EAD and try it. If they say no you need the GC, then you just have to wait for the GC. Simple.

I got my EAD and GC just a week away from each other, so i just waited a week and got it done.

However, i tried to change my name on my social card, immediately after the marriage and they said that I have to come back once i got my GC since the name change has to be updated at the USCIS office and should reflect in their systems. Since i heard the words GC from the rather scary looking, rude guy i waited to get my GC and then go back.

If you get the EAD first and wish to give it a try, then you should.

But remember, donnt panic.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

You cant change your name with SSN unless the name change is registered at the HMS / USCIS offices. I recently went through name change and wheni tried to get it done beat the SSA before the GC came in, they sent me home and asked me to come back once the change is shown on the GC.

SO no,, we now cannot change name on SS card unless the name change reflects on the GC

You missed my point.

I gave OP the best option and the other option too...

I said it is best to use the current information then change her name later.

Your statement underlined is not true in all cases.

You can change your name on SSN without involving USCIS.

It is difficult for OP and others in his/her situation because she kinda jumped the gun before her presence in the US and her identity in the US gets established in the system.

[TomEn 90]

gotch

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

This thread is confusing, isn't it?

My suggestion.

Get SSN in name exactly as it appears on the I-94 because your name must be found in the SAVE database. Your SSN will be based on your legal K1 entry in the name you had when you entered the country. Do not even mention marriage or show you marriage certificate. Some SSA offices have actually told K1s who mentioned being married that they turned into a K3 and thus were not eligible. Ludicrous! Your visa can't magically change. So avoid the marriage and name discussion to skip a possible hassle with an uninformed clerk. Just get a SSN and fix the name later.

Apply for AOS in the name you want on your greencard because modifying it later would cost you around $400. First Maiden Last. (They won't let you pick a new middle name out of the air like Cindy, but your documented maiden name should be accepted.) Don't worry what your marriage certificate says. It shows you got married and met the K1 requirement and your husband's last name. USCIS handles newly married K1s all the time and knows not every state asks for "name you want after marriage" on the marriage certificateThey know you still have documents in the maiden name or may be on the bank account under maiden. It takes a while for a K1 to get sorted. They get that. You don't have to explain. Yes you can list all other names you have used in the appropriate place.

When USCIS updates the SAVE database to show you (First Maiden Last) are work authorized or a permanent resident, then you can go back to Social Security Administration and update your card. And if you are like my husband, the greencard was "First, Middle Initial, Last" so SSA would only issue the card exactly as USCIS had it recorded...with the initial. The DMV had to follow the same method. That does not mean you can't use "First Maiden Last" in your everyday life. And a bit of additional info--when my husband got his US citizenship, we went back to SSA. His new naturalization certificate had the full name, not just an initial in the middle. Social Security said they had to issue yet another card reflecting what USCIS and the SAVE database had...the entire spelled out name. DMV also had to issue him a new license in the full spelled out name based on SAVE database.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[NikLR 13,227]

Please follow nich-nicks advice!!! It is the easiest and most straightforward (and accurate).

Edited March 7, 2016 by NLR

[Dylan and Tricia 0]

I obtained my ssn in my married name straight away after marrying and got it they just had to get it confirmed.

[Emmz 154]

On 3/7/2016 at 7:05 AM, TomEn said:

You cant change your name with SSN unless the name change is registered at the HMS / USCIS offices. I recently went through name change and wheni tried to get it done beat the SSA before the GC came in, they sent me home and asked me to come back once the change is shown on the GC.

SO no,, we now cannot change name on SS card unless the name change reflects on the GC

hi just want to ask in my marriage cert my new name was written into my married name my dilemma is i want to dropped my old middle name and write my maidens name as my middle name and then my husband last name can i change that wen i filed AOS?