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robhostein

DMV refused to change my name on drivers license

By robhostein in General Immigration-Related Discussion

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robhostein Explorer

robhostein   57

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
Posted

A few weeks ago I went and got the SSA to change the name on my SSN card. Which they mailed to me. Last week I went to the DMV to have my name changed on my license and they denied me, stating that my primary document, my green card, has to show my new name before they can change it.

 

Am I out of luck here? I'm planning on filing for citizenship soon.

10-year green card received: 2004-02-01

N-400 Filed Online:  2018-11-28

N-400 Biometrics Appointment: 2018-12-20

N-400 Notice of Interview: 2019-01-04

N-400 Interview Appointment: 2019-02-21

N-400 Application Approved: 2019-02-21

N-400 Notice of Oath Ceremony: 2019-04-11

N-400 Oath Ceremony: 2019-04-18

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geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,337

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Each state has their own DMV rules. Yours appears to need a valid photo ID from the federal government. An SS card is not a valid form of ID (it’s only a piece of paper with a name and number...no photo, biometrics, description, etc.).

 

You need some evidence of the legal name change or other government ID with the new name.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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Dashinka Grand Master

Dashinka   24,513

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

Where are you at in your process?  I remember with my wife, we could not change her name until after she got her GC. 

Visa Received : 2014-04-04 (K1 - see timeline for details)

US Entry : 2014-09-12

POE: Detroit

Marriage : 2014-09-27

I-765 Approved: 2015-01-09

I-485 Interview: 2015-03-11

I-485 Approved: 2015-03-13

Green Card Received: 2015-03-24 Yeah!!!

I-751 ROC Submitted: 2016-12-20

I-751 NOA Received:  2016-12-29

I-751 Biometrics Appt.:  2017-01-26

I-751 Interview:  2018-04-10

I-751 Approved:  2018-05-04

N400 Filed:  2018-01-13

N400 Biometrics:  2018-02-22

N400 Interview:  2018-04-10

N400 Approved:  2018-04-10

Oath Ceremony:  2018-06-11 - DONE!!!!!!!

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Ksenia_O Proficient

Ksenia_O   696

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted
14 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

Where are you at in your process?  I remember with my wife, we could not change her name until after she got her GC. 

Exactly.

 

OP, your name has to be changed on a document, issued by USCIS as well. So, if a green card under maiden name - a change of name  on SS card is irrelevant. 

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acidrain Community Regular

acidrain   325

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Thought I would share my experience with the Nevada DMV. I applied for a drivers license and was told USCIS entered my first name and middle name together. So I have no middle name according to USCIS. I shrugged and thought it wasn't a big deal. But the DMV said they have to enter my license with the exact same information USCIS has.

 

There is some sort of immigration central database and they told me the name on the DL has to match up with it. Not sure if that's correct but that's what they told me.

 

The DMV told me if I don't like it to change my name with USCIS which would then update the database. But until then I have my first and middle name together. Which is a pain because if I use my driver's license for proper identification it's not correct.

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robhostein Explorer

robhostein   57

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
  • Author
Posted
10 hours ago, geowrian said:

You need some evidence of the legal name change or other government ID with the new name.

Well, I have a court order. But I guess that wasn't enough.

 

10 hours ago, Bill & Katya said:

Where are you at in your process?  I remember with my wife, we could not change her name until after she got her GC. 

I've had my green card for 14 years. I'm about to file for citizenship, pending legal advice from immigration lawyer.

10-year green card received: 2004-02-01

N-400 Filed Online:  2018-11-28

N-400 Biometrics Appointment: 2018-12-20

N-400 Notice of Interview: 2019-01-04

N-400 Interview Appointment: 2019-02-21

N-400 Application Approved: 2019-02-21

N-400 Notice of Oath Ceremony: 2019-04-11

N-400 Oath Ceremony: 2019-04-18

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Ksenia_O Proficient

Ksenia_O   696

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted
11 hours ago, robhostein said:

Well, I have a court order. But I guess that wasn't enough.

 

No, it is not enough. In the System, as an immigrant, you still are known under your "old name". But the court order is  a legal  basis for you to apply for N-400, using your new name. 

 

11 hours ago, robhostein said:

 

I've had my green card for 14 years. I'm about to file for citizenship, pending legal advice from immigration lawyer.

It does not matter how long you are a green card holder .

I'm sorry, but most likely for now , until you finalize you naturalization under your new name, the name on Dl will be the same as it's on your green card.

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