Changing Last Name with I-751

[Moxman 54]

Hello all, It's been a minute since I've posted a message but I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe and healthy.

 

I just was starting to look into this paperwork for the removal of conditions for my wifes greencard. When we went through the entire process before with her K1 then AOS we never changed her last name because of how confusing all the process was. But now we are looking into it and it seems it will be cheaper just changing her last name during the Removal of conditions process.

 

My question is, do we change her last name legally through the state of Alabama first. Meaning drivers license change etc. Then file the  I-751 with her new last name. Or do we file it under her maiden name and also submit the  i90 form? I'm a bit confused on this but I'm sure it's not the first time this has happened to someone. I appreciate the help! 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

Quick question: is the name change solely a personal decision, or just because you think it's going to help your case? If it's the latter, it's not. Not worth the hassle. 

47 minutes ago, Moxman said:

, do we change her last name legally through the state of Alabama first. Meaning drivers license change etc. Then file the  I-751 with her new last name.

You can.

47 minutes ago, Moxman said:

and also submit the  i90 form?

I mean, if you want to spend the $$$.

[SoCal2021 201]

1 hour ago, Moxman said:

Hello all, It's been a minute since I've posted a message but I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe and healthy.

 

I just was starting to look into this paperwork for the removal of conditions for my wifes greencard. When we went through the entire process before with her K1 then AOS we never changed her last name because of how confusing all the process was. But now we are looking into it and it seems it will be cheaper just changing her last name during the Removal of conditions process.

 

My question is, do we change her last name legally through the state of Alabama first. Meaning drivers license change etc. Then file the  I-751 with her new last name. Or do we file it under her maiden name and also submit the  i90 form? I'm a bit confused on this but I'm sure it's not the first time this has happened to someone. I appreciate the help! 

If you can wait and If your wife wants to apply for Citizenship later, she can change her last name at that time, free of charge. 

[Moxman 54]

1 hour ago, Rocio0010 said:

Quick question: is the name change solely a personal decision, or just because you think it's going to help your case? If it's the latter, it's not. Not worth the hassle. 

You can.

I mean, if you want to spend the $$$.

No. It's 100% a personal decision. 

 

I'm just asking is it easier to change her last name while we are filing the removal of conditions, we change her name and file the paperwork under her new last name.

[Simplytex 387]

Following this conversation, because I literally was about to post/ask the same. 

[millefleur 5,046]

On 1/25/2022 at 1:00 PM, Moxman said:

My question is, do we change her last name legally through the state of Alabama first. Meaning drivers license change etc.

A driver's license name change has nothing to do with legally changing names. It goes via the court, called a court order name change. The only other option is: when you married, did she take the last name at the marriage? If it says so on the marriage certificate, then you don't need a court order name change. The marriage certificate is proof already.

 

So, what happened when you married? If the name was changed then, it's already over and done. All you need for proof to change it on things like the GC and driver's license is the marriage certificate. If her name was changed at married, file the I-751 under the new name.