AOS considering and complications arising from changing both partner's surnames (e.g. hyphenating surnames from both partners))

[simonschus 58]

Hi all,

My partner and I are considering hyphenating both our names and listing those on the marriage certificate. We shall become Mr and Mrs Foxtrot-Schus (note: not either our real names!). I've seen a number of posts about name changes for AOS from a K1 so apologies if this is repeating those but I couldn't find much recent discussion on the specific case of both our surnames will change. Most posts were focused on one partner's name changing.

We're looking to make the change as an informed decision about name changing at marriage, contrasted with waiting for a couple of years for changing them (with associated costs of doing so). We're particularly focused on making everything as seamless as possible with the choice causing minimal/no hiccups.

When marrying, does changing the surname for both partners cause any major headache or additional complications for AOS from a K1 other than the issues that I have already considered below?

1. I'll ensure that I submit one certified copy of the marriage certificate with the I-485 and then just photocopy the certificate for the other forms (I-765; I-131; I-864). I'll only photocopy the certificate for the other forms so it'll make it easier for the adjudicator to see the name change should the forms get separated.
2. All of our evidence and documentation will still have our maiden names but the certified marriage certificate above tries to guard against that. The documentation I'm referring to is for both the spousal sponsor (e.g. IRS Tax Transcripts; letter from employer confirming salary; possibly her passport and birth certificate but not entirely necessary) and the immigrant (a printed version of my electronic I-94 record; my birth certificate; my K1 visa in the passport; my passport photo page).
3. I'll try to apply for the SSN prior to marriage. If that fails due to SAVE database or SSA data entry issues, then I'll have to rely on the SSA Office accepting the marriage certificate when applying for an SSN which I know some have had trouble with but many have not.
4. We'll both sign the forms with our our new surname rather than our maiden surnames.
5. We'll list our maiden names in the relevant boxes on the forms (e.g. "Any other names you have been known by" or "Name at birth" type questions)
6. There are no issues I can think of with the medical being in my maiden name.
7. I'm unclear whether the name change slow down the processing of AOS paperwork or the processing of the EAD/AP. I wouldn't have thought so though

Have I missed anything specifically for AOS? Anything else that you think I or others should be aware of about the above?

Simon.

P.S. I know that there are ramifications for non-AOS (e.g. changing bank account names, drivers license, passport) but this is beyond the scope of AOS and we have a pretty good handle on those.

Edited April 11, 2016 by simonschus

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

This shouldn't be a problem at all. They deal with name changes every day, and you will have your name change document (marriage cert) in your package. It is a slightly unusual for the man to change the name, but I am sure it has happened before, and the process isn't any different from a woman changing her name between POE and AOS (which happens every day). USCIS may seem like bozos sometimes, but this is a thing they can handle easily.

Good luck to you.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I agree with Harpa.

You might want to check with you county to see what their marriage certificates look like and if it contains the new name. In Texas mine just says Mary Foxtrot married Joe Tango with no "what do you want to be called after marriage" line. I still think USCIS could handle that.

[simonschus 58]

This shouldn't be a problem at all. They deal with name changes every day, and you will have your name change document (marriage cert) in your package. It is a slightly unusual for the man to change the name, but I am sure it has happened before, and the process isn't any different from a woman changing her name between POE and AOS (which happens every day). USCIS may seem like bozos sometimes, but this is a thing they can handle easily.

Good luck to you.

Thanks for your wish of luck, and for mentioning that you think it should hopefully be a fairly painless process!

I agree with Harpa.

You might want to check with you county to see what their marriage certificates look like and if it contains the new name. In Texas mine just says Mary Foxtrot married Joe Tango with no "what do you want to be called after marriage" line. I still think USCIS could handle that.

Thanks Nich-Nick, I had already checked these and have filled some relevant documentation in already to be signed in front of the City Clerk when we arrive their office. The application for the marriage license asks what we want to be called after marriage, and the example marriage certificate clearly indicates the new name after marriage!

Simon