Changing to married name

[Bengoj 133]

Hello all, 

I got married in 2018. I’m the US citizen. Is it a requirement that I change my last name with my bank accounts and job payroll department?  I am petitioning my spouse. 

Edited April 8, 2019 by Gojo

[IndigoSkies 168]

I applied for my wife back in 2010. I was/am a US citizen. I didn't change my last name. Well, since I am the dude, she didn't change her last name to match mine. We are originally from Bangladesh and we we are Muslim. In our culture and religion, it's not required for the wife to change her name to her husband's name. She kept her last name and I kept mine. And we went through the immigration process just fine. As you can see from my signature, she's a US citizen already after having gone through the whole shebang. 

 

You don't have to change your last name to match your husband's last name. If they ask why your last name isn't the same,  you can honestly answer why you didn't change it.  If you do change your name, you can't just change your name at your bank and payroll department. Changing name is a legal matter. You need to follow the rules in the state you live and possibly the rules in the county you live. Once it's done legally, then you change your name in your banks account, payroll, etc. You probably need to also let social security administration know your name change. And if you, yourself are an immigrant, you also need to possibly update USCIS of your name change. You gotta update your driver licences, voter registration, insurance companies need to know your name change also. You gotta make sure credit reporting company has your name correctly, etc, etc, etc. Changing name is a a big hassle, if you want to go about it the right way. It's not worth it, IMO, unless it's really, really necessary. 

Edited April 8, 2019 by IndigoSkies

[Mrs clarke 44]

Iam glad to get and answer about this bse i was also thinking how difficult it will be to change my name iam also muslim married to Usc and my husband was suggesting of changing my last name but we filed our petition without changing anything so am still using my name and now we are waiting for my interview..My country is Tanzania

[theresaL 408]

You are not legally required to change your name after getting married. However, if you decide to use your married name on any legal documents (passport, contracts, drivers license, etc) you would need to change it so everything matches. 

 

I did change my name because of potential future dual citizenship, immigration and property rights as a spouse under French law. You may want to investigate your rights under Turkish law if that is a potential issue. As far as US law is concerned it's your choice.

Edited April 8, 2019 by theresaL

[Bengoj 133]

To clarify my question:  I am a US citizen living in the US. I’ve changed my Drivers license and passport but I have not changed my bank accounts to my married name. I just started a new job and for completing forms W4, can I use my maiden name since payroll will be deposited in my bank account that still uses my maiden name?  

[theresaL 408]

4 minutes ago, Gojo said:

To clarify my question:  I am a US citizen living in the US. I’ve changed my Drivers license and passport but I have not changed my bank accounts to my married name. I just started a new job and for completing forms W4, can I use my maiden name since payroll will be deposited in my bank account that still uses my maiden name?  

W4 is an IRS form so it would need to reflect the name associated with your SSN. Check with your bank to see what their requirements are. 

[Bengoj 133]

Just now, theresaL said:

W4 is an IRS form so it would need to reflect the name associated with your SSN. Check with your bank to see what their requirements are. 

I know what the requirements are. My question is do I really have to change it with my banks?  I don’t want to do it until my husband is actually here. 

[arken 4,197]

1 hour ago, Gojo said:

I know what the requirements are. My question is do I really have to change it with my banks?  I don’t want to do it until my husband is actually here. 

If you are asking in terms of immigration, it would be better to change your bank accounts and paystubs to your married name since you already changed passport, DL .... to the married name.

 

if for general purpose, it’s your choice unless banks make you do so.

[Bengoj 133]

2 hours ago, arken said:

If you are asking in terms of immigration, it would be better to change your bank accounts and paystubs to your married name since you already changed passport, DL .... to the married name.

 

if for general purpose, it’s your choice unless banks make you do so.

I changed my last name with my drivers license and passport but I don’t want to change my last name with my bank or payroll because most of my bills are still using my maiden name. Can I change it later or since I’ve already started the process of name change with drivers license and passport I HAVE to change bank accounts also?  Again, I am the US citizen in United States petitioning for my husband. 

Edited April 8, 2019 by Gojo

[theresaL 408]

You are asking a question that no one here can answer for you. It's your decision based on the info you have from your bank and HR dept. The bank and HR will base their policies on what is required of them by law. If you don't want to follow their policies that's your decision. This doesn't involve immigration or your husband's petition if that is what you are concerned about.

[Bengoj 133]

1 hour ago, theresaL said:

You are asking a question that no one here can answer for you. It's your decision based on the info you have from your bank and HR dept. The bank and HR will base their policies on what is required of them by law. If you don't want to follow their policies that's your decision. This doesn't involve immigration or your husband's petition if that is what you are concerned about.

Yes I was mostly concerned with this whole immigration thing by not changing my bank accounts to my married name yet. My employer was insisting I do it because he is also going thru a petition and he said that I would get in trouble with immigration later. People just have so many opinions. I told him I wanted my payroll to be in my maiden name, I’ll keep it that way for now until my husband gets in the states.  Anyways, thanks. 

[Mollie09 1,543]

If you changed your passport, you probably changed it officially and therefore your SSN is associated with your married name. So yes, you have to change it for the W-4.

[millefleur 5,046]

**Moved from IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports to Process & Procedures**

[NikLR 13,227]

If you've already changed your SSN then you should just do the final steps and change everything else.  Not for immigration but because it's easier on YOU.  Your bank accounts and w4 should match your ID.  What if you go to to buy something and they ask for ID and deny your purchase because your ID doesnt match your card or check name?  In reality this isnt an immigration question.  They dont care right now but it may help for ROC.  

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by NikLR