Name change questions

[Melyssa 0]

Here's another question I know has been asked before. I did a search and just read a lot of posts but the answers in those posts just got me wondering more.

I plan to change my name to my fiance's (I am the non-USC; he is the USC) and want to know when the best time will be to do this. From my perusal of other posts, it seems that some think it is best to wait until after filing for AOS, because a name change can result in a prolonged FBI namecheck, and some think it is best to change it right away if you are going to be using your married name.

Well, even if I was to wait until after AOS to change my name legally, I still plan on using my fiance's name as soon as we're married, so it seems that the best thing for me would just be to change it upon marriage. How does this process work? Do I just use my married name on everything from that point onward?

Why are some saying that changing a name before AOS can result in a prolonged FBI name check? I'm wondering if this is because ones name can become more common upon a name change (for instance, someone with a rare name ends up with a more common name, so it shows up more often and takes longer to figure out.) If that's the case I'm not really worried about it since my new name will be less common than my current name already is. I know there are others with my current name but don't know that there are any with my future name!

[YuAndDan 153]

The best time to do that is when you marry, the Marriage License allows name change.

We married within 4 weeks of entry on the K-1, and then filed for SSN in married name as well as file AOS using married name and are having no problems.

[Allie 5]

Does the Marriage Certificate come with the Marriage License or is that gotten seperately

[Cassie 8]

As soon as we were married, I started signing everything in my married name, and any new ID or immigration paperwork I had to complete got my new name as well.

It depends on the state about the marriage liscense /certificate thing. In Oklahoma they are both on the same sheet of paper, the certificate part was filled out and certified after the wedding and sent back to us. Other state have separate documents.

Edited June 10, 2007 by Cassie

[L_n_O 3]

If you are travelling (ex: honeymoon) after getting married, it's best to do the name change after you get back cuz it'll complicate your flight tickets and such

[doc_cute 0]

If you are travelling (ex: honeymoon) after getting married, it's best to do the name change after you get back cuz it'll complicate your flight tickets and such

in that case as soon as i come to us

yes we r palnning to go to italy n swizz but my passport is in my maiden name

u think i wont be able to travel ?

cant the discrepency be sorted out with the marriage certificate

so confused me now

dont have much time to do name change?

[Krikit 1,164]

Melytha,

If you are planning to take your husband's name you should apply for AOS with that name. Otherwise, you will need to pay additional $$ to change it later. There was a post by one of the authorities here that this has no bearing on the FBI namecheck.

Doc and Liz,

To avoid travel difficulties, book your tickets in the name that is on your passport and carry a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

[Marilyn. 340]

If you are travelling (ex: honeymoon) after getting married, it's best to do the name change after you get back cuz it'll complicate your flight tickets and such

seeing as how until you get AP or your green card you can't really leave the US , I don't really think that is an issue....

If you are travelling (ex: honeymoon) after getting married, it's best to do the name change after you get back cuz it'll complicate your flight tickets and such

in that case as soon as i come to us

yes we r palnning to go to italy n swizz but my passport is in my maiden name

u think i wont be able to travel ?

cant the discrepency be sorted out with the marriage certificate

so confused me now

dont have much time to do name change?

don't worry about changing your name in your passport.... just make sure and book your tickets using the name in your passport but bring along your marriage certificate for verification...

Edited June 10, 2007 by MarilynP

[YuAndDan 153]

Does the Marriage Certificate come with the Marriage License or is that gotten seperately

First you acquire a marriage license, you get married, the license is sent back to the office where it was originally filed for, and they will then send out the Cert.

[~Nini~ 2]

How much is it to have a name change if you don't decide to apply for AOS with the husband's name? I know it's a silly question to ask.

[Marilyn. 340]

How much is it to have a name change if you don't decide to apply for AOS with the husband's name? I know it's a silly question to ask.

I think it is about 50 dollars....

http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/greencard_update.html

[Krikit 1,164]

No offense, Marilyn, but the link you provided is a non-government agency. It appears they are charging $49.95 for a "guide". In other words, they are taking advantage of the uninformed.

The USCIS shows a cost of $260 for the name change application per this link.

[L_n_O 3]

ouch! so, if you change your name before the green card you'd avoid paying the $260?

[L_n_O 3]

Ok, here's where I am:

I'm assuming that our K1 will be approved around Dec 2007 (Mtl). So, I'll be entering the US in January 2008 sometime. THen we'll have a quickie civil ceremony to get the paperwork rolling.. BUT won't be having the church wedding til August 2008! And because we really don't want to mention the civil ceremony to either of our parents b/c they're both pretty "catholic", we thought we'd wait til the Church ceremony to change my last name..

Comments? Suggestions?

Is this going to end up costing us more cuz we'll have to get replacement cards for my green card etc?

I guess if we just did it after the civil ceremony, no one would actually know.. (it's not like our parents look at our id or anything as we walk into the house)

hmmm.....

[Marilyn. 340]

oops, sorry for the misinformation