Problem: Used maiden name on marriage certificate

[cunnind 0]

Hello all!

First, the good news: we just got married last weekend!

Now the bad news. Our marriage certificate has my wife's maiden name on it. She intends to use my last name, and from reading others' posts here, it seems then that we should use that name on all immigration documents.

We need to submit a copy of the marriage certificate with at least one of the forms. We're very concerned that it's going to cause a problem with USCIS when all of the documents have her with one last name, but the marriage certificate has her with another last name.

Has anyone gone through this before? Can anyone make any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

[tmma 467]

Hello all!

First, the good news: we just got married last weekend!

Now the bad news. Our marriage certificate has my wife's maiden name on it. She intends to use my last name, and from reading others' posts here, it seems then that we should use that name on all immigration documents.

We need to submit a copy of the marriage certificate with at least one of the forms. We're very concerned that it's going to cause a problem with USCIS when all of the documents have her with one last name, but the marriage certificate has her with another last name.

Has anyone gone through this before? Can anyone make any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

I believe it's NORMAL to have the maiden name on the marriage certificate..... Mine is in the maiden name too..........I think USCIS realize that AOS comes along right after the wedding when the spouse is in the process of name changing, so there is bound to be some documents in one name and some in another.

You say that your AOS is in her new name ( yours), did she already change her name through SS and banking, driving license...etc?

I think your marriage cert should be OK, anyone else any thoughts?

edit--and congrats on the wedding:)

Edited May 13, 2007 by tmma

[cunnind 0]

Thank you for the very prompt response! We appreciate it!

We haven't yet had time to change her name through banks, SS, driver's license, etc. I know that for the bank, at least, we need a certified marriage certificate first. (By the way, what's the difference between "certified" and the normal one the county mailed to us a few days after the ceremony?) I guess we'll start doing that this week.

I guess we're just concerned that, as you said, we're in the middle of the name changing process, and so in some places she'll have her maiden name and in other it'll be mine. I don't want USCIS to have a problem with one of our applications because of that.

Is it better for us to change the name through the bank, SS, etc. first before sending in the I-130, I-485, etc. forms? Or does it not matter?

Thanks!

[Kez/JWolf 6]

All marriage certificates have the brides maiden name..... its the fact that you are married that allowes her to use your name legally....

You dont need to have anything else in her married name to file for AOS.....

Kez

[FrogPondering 0]

All the immigration forms that I filled (AOS/EAD/I-130 and the biographic form) had a line that asked for my name and the there was also a line asking for my maiden name or any other names that I might have used.

so.. just be consistent on the immigration forms and do the other paperwork at your own pace

Hey - if you are filling the immigration forms yourself - good luck, don't stress, and check with VJ forum if you have questions - i think VJ is real helpful! :)

[joeyjoey 1]

Hello all!

First, the good news: we just got married last weekend!

Now the bad news. Our marriage certificate has my wife's maiden name on it. She intends to use my last name, and from reading others' posts here, it seems then that we should use that name on all immigration documents.

We need to submit a copy of the marriage certificate with at least one of the forms. We're very concerned that it's going to cause a problem with USCIS when all of the documents have her with one last name, but the marriage certificate has her with another last name.

Has anyone gone through this before? Can anyone make any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

I just completed Fernanda's forms yesterday. That name on the marriage certificate was her official name when you married. You cannot change the name until after you are married. Now you can go to Social Security and have a card issued with her married name. You won't have a problem with AOS. Most of the documents you file at AOS ask for the "A#" or the Visa#, something to tie the name to existing records at USCIS which all have the old name. The I-485, if I recall correctly, asks for current name and the line immediately below allows you to write the full maiden name. You will eventually need to go to the Consulate nearest you and have the name in the passport changed. Flying these days with a ticket that has one name and a passport with another can be a challenge! Everything is OK.

[SC & TF 1]

From what I know, when you apply for a marriage license, you're given the option of either keeping your maiden name or changing it (at least in MN). You actually write whatever you want your name after marriage to be, on the application. What you put down is what's going to be on your marriage certificate. After you get married, you'll have to issue a court order to change your name from what's on the certificate.

My advice is, be consistent on your AOS application, 'cos it might cause some problems in the process, especially during FBI name checks. Besides that, your marriage certificate is one of the supporting documents needed for your application. So it has to have whatever name she intends to use legally. If she wants to use your name, then it should be on the marriage certificate and your AOS application.

Also, in some cases, when applying for bank accounts, SS card etc., you might need to present your marriage certificate as evidence, especially since your wife is not yet a permanent resident.

This is just my two cents...it's your choice. Good luck.

Edited May 13, 2007 by SC & TF

[athena_ny 1]

I think USCIS is more concerned about the marriage being valid than about what names appear on the certificate (as long as the names that appear make sense...like your wife's real name is Jane Doe and the marriage license shows Sara Smith...well, that might be a problem - but her maiden name? not an issue in most places).

I'm the USC, but my husband has had problems with his names since he arrived here - the whole 'hi I'm from South America I have two last names but this is the one I want to use' issue. His driver's license shows a different last name than what we gave to USCIS (but his second last name is on other names used) but it didn't cause any problem at the interview or anything.

Definitely use her married name - if you don't, when you get the green card it'll have the maiden name on it and then you'll get to pay 290-390 dollars to get it fixed (depending on when the fee increases really go into effect).