Changing Middle to Maiden, and Adding Husband's Last Name When Filing I-751

[A-square 31]

Hi everyone,

 

I have a conditional GC now in my maiden name. I have to file ROC in August and have been wondering about changing my maiden and last name. The thing is, I already have 2 middle names. For example, Anne (first) Faith Love (middle names) Hope (maiden name). I know it's long, but it's normal in my country to have 2 middle names. So, is it possible for me to drop my two middle names and change it to my maiden name and then add my husband's last name when I file I-751 later? For example, Anne (first) Hope (maiden) Smith (husband's last name) instead of Anne Faith Love Hope Smith or Anne Faith Love Smith. Or, should I just bear with 5 names until naturalization end of next year, cause I don't want to drop my maiden name? I don't mind going to SSA, MVA, Bank, etc later on to change the name. Any information would be appreciated! 

[Lemonslice 4,841]

The rules depend on the state you live in. Some states only allow you to change your last name when you get married, to change other names (first, middle) you then need a legal name change.  Research the rules for your state. 

Edited May 17, 2017 by Lemonslice

[A-square 31]

33 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

The rules depend on the state you live in. Some states only allow you to change your last name when you get married, to change other names (first, middle) you then need a legal name change.  Research the rules for your state. 

I googled a bit about the rules in Maryland. Someone wrote she just went to SSA and told the clerk that she wanted her maiden as middle name without any legal process. So, basically I have to go to SS office first. I will google for more information to make sure. If the State is OK with changing your middle and last name through marriage, that means I can go with it, correct? Thanks!

[nightingalejules 678]

6 hours ago, maniput said:

I googled a bit about the rules in Maryland. Someone wrote she just went to SSA and told the clerk that she wanted her maiden as middle name without any legal process. So, basically I have to go to SS office first. I will google for more information to make sure. If the State is OK with changing your middle and last name through marriage, that means I can go with it, correct? Thanks!

The other concern may be if you need to report the name change in your home country. For example, if you're maintaining citizenship/passport for your home country. 

For example, in Canada, if I changed my name in that way I would need to file a legal name change there, or else my Canadian passport wouldn't match my green card, which can be an issue for travel.

[Kim&Jos 19]

My marriage certificate and my conditional GC have Anne (first) Faith Love (middle names) Hope Smith (new last names consist of my maiden name and husband's last name, no hyphen). Because my Vietnamese first name is so hard to pronounce, I've been using Love (old middle name as new first name) Hope Smith ever since I got married. I had no problem getting my SS card under Love Hope Smith.

 

When I filed for ROC, I requested to have my permanent GC as Love Hope Smith. USCIS issued me a new GC with the requested name with no hassles.

 

Recently, when I filed for N400, even though I had my GC under Love Hope Smith, I still had to officially request a name change. Later on, I was granted the name change by the US District Court on my Oath Date.

Edited May 18, 2017 by Kim&Jos
typo

[A-square 31]

On 5/18/2017 at 2:29 AM, nightingalejules said:

The other concern may be if you need to report the name change in your home country. For example, if you're maintaining citizenship/passport for your home country. 

For example, in Canada, if I changed my name in that way I would need to file a legal name change there, or else my Canadian passport wouldn't match my green card, which can be an issue for travel.

Yes, it's gonna be a bit tough with the passport cause the process is the same in Indonesia. I have to go back and do a legal name change there. I think I will just ask the Embassy to add my husband's last name in the passport, but still use (First) (maiden) (husband's last name) in the GC. I probably won't be able to do international traveling later on until naturalization.

Edited May 20, 2017 by maniput

[A-square 31]

On 5/18/2017 at 9:00 AM, Kim&Jos said:

My marriage certificate and my conditional GC have Anne (first) Faith Love (middle names) Hope Smith (new last names consist of my maiden name and husband's last name, no hyphen). Because my Vietnamese first name is so hard to pronounce, I've been using Love (old middle name as new first name) Hope Smith ever since I got married. I had no problem getting my SS card under Love Hope Smith.

 

When I filed for ROC, I requested to have my permanent GC as Love Hope Smith. USCIS issued me a new GC with the requested name with no hassles.

 

Recently, when I filed for N400, even though I had my GC under Love Hope Smith, I still had to officially request a name change. Later on, I was granted the name change by the US District Court on my Oath Date.

Thanks for the info! Did you have to pay extra for the name change? Or, it was free because of the N400?

[Kim&Jos 19]

On 5/20/2017 at 4:33 PM, maniput said:

Thanks for the info! Did you have to pay extra for the name change? Or, it was free because of the N400?

It was free. You don't have to pay anything.