Name change after AOS

[Jjdualan 0]

Hi, my wife and I are filling out the forms for AOS and were wondering if it was ok for her to keep her last name until the AOS process has finished. We already picked up the certified copy of our marriage certificate but were thinking that, because we were planning to go to Vancouver this summer and her Canadian permanent resident card and passport are both in her original name, it would be better for her to keep her maiden name for now. Are there any issues with this? For the AOS forms, does she fill the last name using her maiden name if we don't do the SSN name change?

[raymaga 25]

If your wife is planning on using your last name legally, then she should fill out the AOS paperwork with her married name.

When travelling, all she needs to do is carry with her, an original of her marriage certificate which will show why her last name changed.

When making airline reservations, I believe the name on the ticket must match the name on her passport, but that is the only time she needs to use her maiden (or previous) name.

[CWR 0]

If your wife is planning on using your last name legally, then she should fill out the AOS paperwork with her married name [...] ......but that is the only time she needs to use her maiden (or previous) name.

The way I understood his question was, that he was asking whether his wife could KEEP her maiden name for now....not change it to her married name.

I would think if his wife wanted to continue using her maiden name, all she would have to do is fill out the AOS papers accordingly (put "maiden name" as last name, etc.) No one is forced to adopt his/her spouse's last name after marriage, right?

CW

[den_y2005 0]

she could keep her maiden name

[hcj 0]

If the only reason for keeping her maiden name is because of the trip to Canada and her travel docs are in her maiden name, I would recommend that you file with her married name. For the trip to Canada, get her ticket issued in her maiden name so that will match her travel docs. Carry a copy of your marriage certificate and show that along with the AP when you re-enter the US.

It's a PITA to change your name after you get your GC, so if that's the married name is the name she plans on using in the future, best to just apply for AOS with it. IMO.