Changing of last name... when?

[Visathrowaway 0]

Hi there,

I know this situation has come up before on here but I am having a hard time finding the past threads.

When my fiance applied for his passport his last name became his middle name and his second last name became his new last name. He never had a middle name.

So he went from...
John (first name) Doe (first last name) Smith (second last name)

to...
John (first name) Doe (Middle name) Smith (first last name)

He would like to change his last name, according to the US government, from Smith to Doe.

I would also like to take Doe as my last name when we get married.

Would anyone have advice on how to do this? Would we attempt to do this before he applies for his green card? Before we get married? After we get married? Before applying for AOS? And who would we contact about this?

I know that might have been a little confusing... so sorry. Advice helps!

Thank you!

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Check your state laws.. In Texas, your husband will have to go to the county court clerk to get an affidavit with a signature of a JP then he can change his name on SSN card and driver's license and everything else...But you the wife (after the marriage) can just take marriage certificate, with other identification (check SSA website) to SSA to get your new name on SSN card, then change it on DL. You should also make sure you use you new last name on the marriage certificate( when you do that, other agencies could be notified through that change but you still need a new SSN card and DL.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to General Immigration-Related Discussion Forum~

~Inquiry applicable to numerous visa processes~

[neocarbunkle 2]

My wife changed her name and got a new passport as soon as we got married. I then used that as a bit of evidence of bonified marriage. Not sure if it made a difference or not.