NAME CHANGE

[LoveAlways2 90]

When I got divorced, I tried to change my name back to my maiden name and I was told by the SSA that I needed to update my green card first, then with my green card in my maiden name I could request a name change in the SSA. I am just waiting until I get my naturalization because I didn't want to spend the $500 to get a new green card. 

 

 

[Mollie09 1,543]

I had to fight at the SSA because Massachusetts marriage certificates have a field for "name after marriage", and if you don't enter the name change at the time you file it you need a court order to change it.

Issue 1: I didn't get married in Massachusetts, and my marriage certificate only shows maiden names.

Issue 2: Both my husband and I changed our names to a hyphenated combination.

 

I spent A LOT of time reading the SSA manual on name changes and printing out and bringing it to them. But never changed anything with USCIS and my green card has my maiden name. When I apply for citizenship, I'll change it with them.

[Greekwife 58]

My understanding is that Name change involves a lot of trouble let alone money.

Afterall, it is just a label.

What is more important I think is what is behind the label  that literally being with your husband , whether with his or your surname 🙂

[Mollie09 1,543]

1 minute ago, Greekwife said:

My understanding is that Name change involves a lot of trouble let alone money.

Afterall, it is just a label.

What is more important I think is what is behind the label  that literally being with your husband , whether with his or your surname 🙂

This is a nice sentiment and you're of course entitled to your feelings and opinions, but this is a thread about how to get a name change, not whether you should.

We're trying to help OP who has explained (more than once) that it's what she wants. She shouldn't have to, it's her decision. We're just trying to help her do it.

[Greekwife 58]

Yes Sir/Madam 🙂

 

Sorry not good at labels 😎

[D & T 115]

40 minutes ago, Mollie09 said:

I had to fight at the SSA because Massachusetts marriage certificates have a field for "name after marriage", and if you don't enter the name change at the time you file it you need a court order to change it.

Issue 1: I didn't get married in Massachusetts, and my marriage certificate only shows maiden names.

Issue 2: Both my husband and I changed our names to a hyphenated combination.

 

I spent A LOT of time reading the SSA manual on name changes and printing out and bringing it to them. But never changed anything with USCIS and my green card has my maiden name. When I apply for citizenship, I'll change it with them.

Oh wow! Good idea! Do you have any page from SSA that states that? I definitely shoukd bring it with me

[Mollie09 1,543]

1 minute ago, D & T said:

Oh wow! Good idea! Do you have any page from SSA that states that? I definitely shoukd bring it with me

Here you go: "Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN based on Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partnership" https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212055

The Note at the bottom is item A: NOTE: If the document itself has an entry specifying what new name will be used, the SSN card must be issued in the legal name specified on the document.

 

[D & T 115]

27 minutes ago, Mollie09 said:

This is a nice sentiment and you're of course entitled to your feelings and opinions, but this is a thread about how to get a name change, not whether you should.

We're trying to help OP who has explained (more than once) that it's what she wants. She shouldn't have to, it's her decision. We're just trying to help her do it.

Well said and thank you for writing this  I definitely respect one’s decision of changing or not, but It is my decision indeed to adopt his last name. It’s a honor to have my husband’s family name, someone who loves me so much and who’s my family now. 

[D & T 115]

4 minutes ago, Mollie09 said:

Here you go: "Evidence Required to Process a Name Change on the SSN based on Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partnership" https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212055

The Note at the bottom is item A: NOTE: If the document itself has an entry specifying what new name will be used, the SSN card must be issued in the legal name specified on the document.

 

That’s awesome! Thanks a lot! I’m already printing this out

 

Do you have any official SSA page that states that a LPR can change the name under SSA?

[jamiendoucette 3]

17 hours ago, D & T said:

Hi guys!

 

i just immigrated a few days ago and went to the Social Security Office to make my number and change my name to my married name. Here in NC the representative said I would have to change under USCIS first, but I’ve never heard of it. I thought I could change with the SSO straight away.

 

I thought about getting a court order.

 

I appreciate any help. I’m kinda lost

I had the same issue. I contact uscis and a rep told me I couldn’t change my name in the middle of my application. I’m not sure if theres a way around that. I personally just waited until I get citizenship to do a legal name change. Which is a long 3 year wait but makes the whole process that much more special!

[Mollie09 1,543]

14 minutes ago, D & T said:

That’s awesome! Thanks a lot! I’m already printing this out

 

Do you have any official SSA page that states that a LPR can change the name under SSA?

Don't have that handy since that wasn't one of the (many) issues we had, but you can search their policy manual and might find something. I was told that it doesn't matter whether you're a citizen or LPR, if you have a SSN they follow the same procedure. It was the first thing I did before I changed my name, then DL, then everything else.

Brazilian passport came a year or so later when I had to travel. Green card/USCIS still hasn't happened.

Edited March 20, 2019 by Mollie09

[D & T 115]

Guys, so I went to the SSA in Greensboro (neighborhood city) and they told me it was possible indeed to change! Yay! BUT I gotta come back in 2 weeks since there was something that they can’t change someone’s name in less than 2 weeks. So in 2 weeks time I’ll be back. Didn’t have any problems here! And I already got my number! Yay!

[Dashinka 24,502]

2 hours ago, Mollie09 said:

Don't have that handy since that wasn't one of the (many) issues we had, but you can search their policy manual and might find something. I was told that it doesn't matter whether you're a citizen or LPR, if you have a SSN they follow the same procedure. It was the first thing I did before I changed my name, then DL, then everything else.

Brazilian passport came a year or so later when I had to travel. Green card/USCIS still hasn't happened.

I think it is better to say that it shouldn't matter, but for some reason it does at the SSA.  The SSA wants to see something in the DHS system to match to for LPR or other legal immigrants, and if they see the GC in the maiden name more than likely they will resist making any changes.

[Mollie09 1,543]

6 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

I think it is better to say that it shouldn't matter, but for some reason it does at the SSA.  The SSA wants to see something in the DHS system to match to for LPR or other legal immigrants, and if they see the GC in the maiden name more than likely they will resist making any changes.

I get that, from my experience they didn't care. My information on all of those records still has my maiden name and I changed my name two years ago.

1 hour ago, D & T said:

Guys, so I went to the SSA in Greensboro (neighborhood city) and they told me it was possible indeed to change! Yay! BUT I gotta come back in 2 weeks since there was something that they can’t change someone’s name in less than 2 weeks. So in 2 weeks time I’ll be back. Didn’t have any problems here! And I already got my number! Yay!

Congrats!!!

Sometimes you just have to get someone who knows what they're doing!

[D & T 115]

18 minutes ago, Mollie09 said:

I get that, from my experience they didn't care. My information on all of those records still has my maiden name and I changed my name two years ago.

Congrats!!!

Sometimes you just have to get someone who knows what they're doing!

Uff true that! Today’s attendant was awesome and super keen to change my name without any issues if It wouldn’t be because of this 2 weeks period gap.

 

I’ll keep you guys posted when I get back there!

 

Special thanks to @Cyberfx1024 who told me specifically to go to Greensboro’s office! Lol! I owe you and your wife a beer when you’re in Winston! 😄