Change of name

[Major 24]

Good day everyone! I recently got married to my wife from the US and why in the process of petitioning for me she has changed her name to start bearing my surname in most of her documents except her international passport and birthday certificate which still carries her maiden name. 

 

The question I have is, when petitioning, should she still use her maiden name or her husband name now that almost her her documents (credit card statement, driver's licence, SSN and other civil docs) are carrying the husband's name?

[Abies 1,713]

3 minutes ago, Major said:

Good day everyone! I recently got married to my wife from the US and why in the process of petitioning for me she has changed her name to start bearing my surname in most of her documents except her international passport and birthday certificate which still carries her maiden name. 

 

The question I have is, when petitioning, should she still use her maiden name or her husband name now that almost her her documents (credit card statement, driver's licence, SSN and other civil docs) are carrying the husband's name?

Congratulations fellow Nigerian,

 

She should file in her new name(married name) and add copies of the affidavit of change of name as well as all these documents listed as evidences of bonafide marital relationship.

 

Goodluck to you both on this long journey.

[TNJ17 1,329]

It doesn’t really matter. But if her IDs and banks and cards have the new name then use the new name. Also you can’t change your name on your birth certificate. 

[Major 24]

45 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

It doesn’t really matter. But if her IDs and banks and cards have the new name then use the new name. Also you can’t change your name on your birth certificate. 

Thanks TNJ17!

[Major 24]

55 minutes ago, Abies said:

Congratulations fellow Nigerian,

 

She should file in her new name(married name) and add copies of the affidavit of change of name as well as all these documents listed as evidences of bonafide marital relationship.

 

Goodluck to you both on this long journey.

Thanks Abies! That gave me a sense of direction.

[TM92 527]

48 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

Also you can’t change your name on your birth certificate.

Some states allow to add amendments to birth certificates. Last year, my son added amendments to his California birth certificate reflecting a legal name change in 2015, my wife's correct DOB, my wife's correct full name, and my correct full name.

[TNJ17 1,329]

19 minutes ago, TM92 said:

Some states allow to add amendments to birth certificates. Last year, my son added amendments to his California birth certificate reflecting a legal name change in 2015, my wife's correct DOB, my wife's correct full name, and my correct full name.

Not due to marriage. You don’t change your name on your birth certificate when you get married. 

[Major 24]

3 hours ago, TNJ17 said:

Not due to marriage. You don’t change your name on your birth certificate when you get married. 

Thanks once again TNJ17.

 

I also have another question I want you guys to help me clarify. My wife is planning on  moving from her current house (which will be the address on the petition if we file now) to a new place in the nearest future. 

 

I want to know if she needs to move first before the petition or she can continue to stay in her current house, file the petition and then move later why the process is on going.

And also I would like to know how long we're suppose to stay in one address when I eventually get over to US,  because she said she read somewhere that we are suppose to stay in one location for up to 5years when I eventually come over. 

These are the reason I want to know if we should move before or after filing the petition.

 

In addition, I would like to know how to send the package (the petition) to USCIS. Is it in a box or what or that the mailing office already have the format, that all we just have to do is to take the package there. I just want to get an idea of how to send it in.

 

Thank you all in advance for your anticipated responses.

 

[Major 24]

4 hours ago, TM92 said:

Some states allow to add amendments to birth certificates. Last year, my son added amendments to his California birth certificate reflecting a legal name change in 2015, my wife's correct DOB, my wife's correct full name, and my correct full name.

Thanks TM92!

 

[Abies 1,713]

1 hour ago, Major said:

Thanks once again TNJ17.

 

I also have another question I want you guys to help me clarify. My wife is planning on  moving from her current house (which will be the address on the petition if we file now) to a new place in the nearest future. 

 

I want to know if she needs to move first before the petition or she can continue to stay in her current house, file the petition and then move later why the process is on going.

And also I would like to know how long we're suppose to stay in one address when I eventually get over to US,  because she said she read somewhere that we are suppose to stay in one location for up to 5years when I eventually come over. 

These are the reason I want to know if we should move before or after filing the petition.

 

In addition, I would like to know how to send the package (the petition) to USCIS. Is it in a box or what or that the mailing office already have the format, that all we just have to do is to take the package there. I just want to get an idea of how to send it in.

 

Thank you all in advance for your anticipated responses.

 

If you want to file now with the old address it's fine provided when your wife moves out,she should notify uscis about the change of address or better still,she does the change of addrrss online.

 

If you both also want to wait for your wife to move out before filing so you can use the new address it's also fine.

 

As for the address to mail out your i130 petition,it depends on where(the state) your wife lives in.

[Abies 1,713]

I can see on your timeline that you will be residing in Texas. If so then here it is.

 

Via US Postal Service(USPS)

Address the envelope :

 

USCIS

Attn: I-130

P O Box 21700

Phoenix, AZ 85036.

 

Via Express mail/commercial courier

Address the envelope:

 

USCIS

Attn: I-130

1820 E Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100

Phoenix, AZ 85034.

 

Goodluck

[HarryWL 262]

File in the new name and just get the passport changed over before the interview.

 

the visa will be issued in the name on the passport, and you don’t want the headache of having to change the name on your green card and social security later. I filed whilst my old passport (still valid) had my maiden name and changed it like 3 months into the process.

[Major 24]

4 hours ago, Abies said:

I can see on your timeline that you will be residing in Texas. If so then here it is.

 

Via US Postal Service(USPS)

Address the envelope :

 

USCIS

Attn: I-130

P O Box 21700

Phoenix, AZ 85036.

 

Via Express mail/commercial courier

Address the envelope:

 

USCIS

Attn: I-130

1820 E Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100

Phoenix, AZ 85034.

 

Goodluck

You have been of tremendous help Abies. Thanks a lot.

[Major 24]

57 minutes ago, HarryWL said:

File in the new name and just get the passport changed over before the interview.

 

the visa will be issued in the name on the passport, and you don’t want the headache of having to change the name on your green card and social security later. I filed whilst my old passport (still valid) had my maiden name and changed it like 3 months into the process.

Thanks HarryWL,  but I’m not the one with the change of name. My wife (the petitioner) who lives in the US is the one who changed her name why me (beneficiary), living in Nigeria currently is the one moving over to the US. I just wanted to know which name she’s suppose to file with...maiden or husband’s name?

[Abies 1,713]

4 minutes ago, Major said:

Thanks HarryWL,  but I’m not the one with the change of name. My wife (the petitioner) who lives in the US is the one who changed her name why me (beneficiary), living in Nigeria currently is the one moving over to the US. I just wanted to know which name she’s suppose to file with...maiden or husband’s name?

Husband's name