How to change my last name change on conditional green card (marriage)

[Ellies 0]

Hi, when my husband and I filed I-485 for me we added his last name (Stott) to my last name (Liao), so when I received my green card the last name is Liao Stott. I'm worried because the last name on my green card and my passport issued from my home country is different I'll have trouble return to the States after traveling. I'd like to know how I can change the last name back to my own last name. 

 

I remembered when we were at USCIS green card interview, I was told I can go to court to change my last name. ( $25 in California) But that doesn't change the name on my green card. Also according to USCIS's website  I-90 is not for conditional permanent resident. 

 

Anyone can advise what I can do now??

 

Thanks!

 

Liao

[Californiansunset 336]

Just now, Ellies said:

Hi, when my husband and I filed I-485 for me we added his last name (Stott) to my last name (Liao), so when I received my green card the last name is Liao Stott. I'm worried because the last name on my green card and my passport issued from my home country is different I'll have trouble return to the States after traveling. I'd like to know how I can change the last name back to my own last name. 

 

I remembered when we were at USCIS green card interview, I was told I can go to court to change my last name. ( $25 in California) But that doesn't change the name on my green card. Also according to USCIS's website  I-90 is not for conditional permanent resident. 

 

Anyone can advise what I can do now??

 

Thanks!

 

Liao

You don't need to change your last name for travel reasons. Book your flight tickets always in your maiden name (the one you have in your passport) and when you enter the U.S. have your marriage certificate with you when you present the Greencard at POE in case they want to see proof of your name change. I was never asked for my marriage certificate though...never had any problems. 

[Ellies 0]

Hi Californiansunset, 

Thanks for the feedback! But I didn't add his last name on our wedding certificate, is that fine? 

Going to back to my original question, if I want to change my last name back to my own maiden name. Is it possible to do and how? Thanks!

 

Liao 

[Californiansunset 336]

3 hours ago, Ellies said:

Hi Californiansunset, 

Thanks for the feedback! But I didn't add his last name on our wedding certificate, is that fine? 

Going to back to my original question, if I want to change my last name back to my own maiden name. Is it possible to do and how? Thanks!

 

Liao 

They can see on the marriage certificate though where your second last name is coming from (your husband). I doubt you would have issues entering the country but I guess you wouldn't know for sure. So just to be clear: you legally never changed your last name but decided to change it on your greencard??? I'm surprised USCIS was fine with that.  

Also....you definitely should've thought about this before you got the greencard with a name that you won't have on any other document to show the name change. You can change it back to your old name. Just go to the USCIS website and print out the forms for a greencard replacement and pay another $540 for the processing... you are a conditional resident but what they mean is that you shouldn't use these forms when you want to file I-751 to remove conditions (some people use these replacement forms thinking those are the right ones to remove conditions). 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Californiansunset

[Ellies 0]

21 hours ago, Californiansunset said:

They can see on the marriage certificate though where your second last name is coming from (your husband). I doubt you would have issues entering the country but I guess you wouldn't know for sure. So just to be clear: you legally never changed your last name but decided to change it on your greencard??? I'm surprised USCIS was fine with that.  

Also....you definitely should've thought about this before you got the greencard with a name that you won't have on any other document to show the name change. You can change it back to your old name. Just go to the USCIS website and print out the forms for a greencard replacement and pay another $540 for the processing... you are a conditional resident but what they mean is that you shouldn't use these forms when you want to file I-751 to remove conditions (some people use these replacement forms thinking those are the right ones to remove conditions). 

Thanks for the clarification! Yeah I definitely do not know what I was thinking. I guess I'll just pay $540 to change it back  Lesson learned. 

 

 

 

[Californiansunset 336]

41 minutes ago, Ellies said:

Thanks for the clarification! Yeah I definitely do not know what I was thinking. I guess I'll just pay $540 to change it back  Lesson learned. 

 

 

 

Hmm I wonder whether it's really necessary though because I've never been asked to see proof of the name change. And my name change is more drastic than your added name. It also supposedly takes 6 months right now to get your Greencard replaced. I wonder whether you could just get your passport stamped that you have a Greencard and just use that in case they don't accept your Greencard. People who have an expired Greencard or lost theirs get a stamp in their passport all the time and use that for travelling together with their I-797. 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Californiansunset