Name Change

[Brian & Giang 11]

I am filling out form I-485 for my fiancee from Vietnam.  We have our marriage license.  Does anyone know how to go about the name change.  For example her taking my last name.  Do we put my last name on the forms when filling out her last name on the form or do we keep her last name and change it later? 

[cyanmavi 101]

Are you married yet? Did you indicate that she will be changing her name on the marriage license?

[Brian & Giang 11]

We are married.  There is no indication on the marriage license as no one asked us about this.

[cyanmavi 101]

I asked because you referred to her as your fiancee, not wife.

In some states, the name change preference is indicated on the license, but it's ok if it isn't. Either way, she is gonna use the marriage certificate as a name change document when necessary.

You should fill out the I-485 (plus I-131 and I-765) with her new desired name, meaning your last name if she wants to change her name. Otherwise it costs money to change the name on the green card.

Until her green card, or EAD/AP if you apply for it, she will need to use her passport and a copy of the marriage certificate as a name change document to go along with it. For flying for example, she should use the name on her passport to book tickets even if she has her green card and bring along a copy of the marriage certificate.

[Brian & Giang 11]

Thanks...Do you know anything about the medical documents to submit with the I-485.  My wife said the immigration officer took all of the from her at the POE.  Now we have nothing to submit as far as the medical documents with the I-485.  Is it ok to file the I-485 with no medical documents

[cyanmavi 101]

She should have had the original I-693 with her and did not have to give that to the border official. If she did, then USCIS should have gotten it, and as far as I know, there was also a copy in the yellow envelope. So if you don't have it, you simply can't file it and it can be ok or you get a RFE.

I held onto the original that was given to me at the medical and sent a copy with the I-485.

How long has it been since her medical? If it has been more than a year, she has to get a new one anyway.

I wouldn't worry about it and send whatever I can. Worst case scenario, you get a RFE and have to deal with it then.