I-485 What last name do I use?

[Melissa Sinasac 0]

Hi everyone,

 

I came over to the U.S from Canada on the K1 Visa on March 20, and we got married on March 26.  I'm now filling out the I-485 adjustment of status, but I'm not sure if I use my maiden name or my new married last name?  I'm assuming I use my maiden name since everything before this has been with my maiden name?!

 

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[Georgia16 2,858]

New name. You want your GC in your new name. It will cost you around $400 to get it changed on the card.

Edited April 6, 2017 by Georgia16

[Melissa Sinasac 0]

5 minutes ago, Georgia16 said:

New name. You want your GC in your new name. It will cost you around $400 to get it changed on the card.

Thank you!

[Melissa Sinasac 0]

Another question!

 

What exactly do they mean by "were you inspected by a U.S immigration officer?"

 

And, what is, or where do I find my nonimmigrant visa number?!

[Becci391 340]

Just now, Melissa and Tim said:

Another question!

 

What exactly do they mean by "were you inspected by a U.S immigration officer?"

 

And, what is, or where do I find my nonimmigrant visa number?!

Did you go through inspection at the airport? Did an offficer asked you questions about your entry? Did you give him/her the sealed envelope? Did they open it?

That should be the normal procedure.

 

You will find the non-immigrant visa number on your visa in your passport.

 

[doreenmattseattle 9]

39 minutes ago, Melissa and Tim said:

 

I am trying to apply for AOS now.  a few confusing things?  Do i submit another affadavit of support?  I thought i submitted one with my K-1 packet? Where do we mail these?  Chicago or Arizona? Is there a link with steps explained somewhere?

[Melissa Sinasac 0]

3 minutes ago, doreenmattseattle said:

I am trying to apply for AOS now.  a few confusing things?  Do i submit another affadavit of support?  I thought i submitted one with my K-1 packet? Where do we mail these?  Chicago or Arizona? Is there a link with steps explained somewhere?

It's a different Affidavit of Support (I-864) with the AOS.  Here is the form and instructions... https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

Edited April 6, 2017 by Melissa and Tim

[Ninatica 56]

Hello Melissa,

 

I had the same question, I came on K1 Visa from Costa Rica almost 3 weeks ago. Our court marriage is tomorrow, my AOS-EAD, AP and the rest of forms were already filled out we want to submit those documents next week.

 

I need to reconfirm if I can use my married name since my license of married was issued with my maiden name, the clerk used the K1 data included on my passport. She also said that they can issue a certified copy of the marriage tomorrow so I can apply for AOS, otherwise we would wait 2 weeks more to receive the final document.

 

Getting married is a beautiful journey, except for these forms and their tricky processes.

 

[Ninatica 56]

52 minutes ago, Georgia16 said:

New name. You want your GC in your new name. It will cost you around $400 to get it changed on the card.

Hello, but the cost ($400) is if I ask for a new name on a issued GC? Am I right?

[Georgia16 2,858]

Just now, Ninatica said:

Hello, but the cost ($400) is if I ask for a new name on a issued GC? Am I right?

No that is if you get your documents (GC) in old name and after it is issued you have to pay for a name change yourself. You really should be filing in your new name. 

[Becci391 340]

13 minutes ago, Ninatica said:

Hello Melissa,

 

I had the same question, I came on K1 Visa from Costa Rica almost 3 weeks ago. Our court marriage is tomorrow, my AOS-EAD, AP and the rest of forms were already filled out we want to submit those documents next week.

 

I need to reconfirm if I can use my married name since my license of married was issued with my maiden name, the clerk used the K1 data included on my passport. She also said that they can issue a certified copy of the marriage tomorrow so I can apply for AOS, otherwise we would wait 2 weeks more to receive the final document.

 

Getting married is a beautiful journey, except for these forms and their tricky processes.

 

That's correct but you want to wait until you have your certified marriage certificate(get two or three originals). You have to submit one original with the AOS application.

The marriage certificate is the official document that you are allowed to use your husband's last name even if your maiden name is written on them. Your maiden name is on both documents.

You need another original certificate to apply for your Social Security Number. 

Edited April 6, 2017 by Becci391

[Ninatica 56]

13 minutes ago, Becci391 said:

That's correct but you want to wait until you have your certified marriage certificate(get two or three originals). You have to submit one original with the AOS application.

The marriage certificate is the official document that you are allowed to use your husband's last name even if your maiden name is written on them. Your maiden name is on both documents.

You need another original certificate to apply for your Social Security Number.

Thank you very much!

 

Last question, should I use my new married name without hyphenating it, I mean my name + my husband's last name.

or: my name + my current last name-his last name, since my higher educational degrees and certifications are under my maiden name, my decrees are from Costa Rica and in my country we use both last names (dad's and mom's ones) and if I apply for a job and they ask me for copies they will be on my full maiden name, I do not know if that might cause issues.

 

Thanks once again.

[Ontarkie 14,369]

~~Moved to AOS Family, from K1 P&P - As the OP is AOS"ing now~~

[Shauneg 762]

15 hours ago, Ninatica said:

Thank you very much!

 

Last question, should I use my new married name without hyphenating it, I mean my name + my husband's last name.

or: my name + my current last name-his last name, since my higher educational degrees and certifications are under my maiden name, my decrees are from Costa Rica and in my country we use both last names (dad's and mom's ones) and if I apply for a job and they ask me for copies they will be on my full maiden name, I do not know if that might cause issues.

 

Thanks once again.

Use whatever you want under name, under previous/other names used make sure to put your maiden name.

[A'n'L 735]

19 hours ago, Ninatica said:

Thank you very much!

 

Last question, should I use my new married name without hyphenating it, I mean my name + my husband's last name.

or: my name + my current last name-his last name, since my higher educational degrees and certifications are under my maiden name, my decrees are from Costa Rica and in my country we use both last names (dad's and mom's ones) and if I apply for a job and they ask me for copies they will be on my full maiden name, I do not know if that might cause issues.

 

Thanks once again.

Use the name you want to have. In the US, it's common that women change their name when they wed. Future employers will therefore not have a problem with your transcripts in your maiden name. That said, I did not change my name (at all) for this reason (simplicity).