Name Change with SSN or Later?

[KaitlinL 9]

Hey guys!

 

I've been looking into this a bit and I seem to find a lot of conflicting opinions and thoughts on this, so was just hoping for some experience and knowledge on the idea.

 

My fiance and I are planning on marry very shortly after I enter the US, with a proper wedding further down the line, just with the intention of keeping things moving along quicker for my AOS. But what I'm wondering the most about is my name change. I've read that people will get married and then when they apply for their SSN, they will use their married name? Meaning I would get married first, then apply for my SSN shortly after and then AOS. Meaning my GC would be issued in my married name. But I've also seen people say they would recommend waiting to do the name change until later down the line. 

 

So I guess what I'm getting at, is what would you guys recommend as the quickest/easiest way to do my name change throughout this process? :) 

[Verrou 1,962]

get married, get the married certificate, apply for AOS and fill it up the document with married name. less hassle

but if u want to apply for SSN first, then stick with current name

Edited October 26, 2022 by Misscloud

[powerpuff 6,697]

~~ Topic moved from AOS k1 to Moving to the US & Your New Life in America as the question is about name change ~~
 

You should apply for SSN before getting married so it’s done asap and in your maiden name.
 

To add, there is no easy and quick way to change your name. Been there done that and I only fully change my name once I got my GC.

 

The problem is the SSA employees that do not know their own policies. Your marriage certificate should be sufficient to get an SSN in your married name but in vast majority of cases they will refuse to - they will tell you they need to see an EAD or GC in your married name.

 

NY DMV went by what the marriage certificate said so I got my DL in my married name. This was not the case with health insurance. So this is where it left me during my K1 AOS process:

 

- passport: maiden
- SSN: maiden

- DL: married 

- health insurance card: maiden

- bank account, including joint: maiden

* banks and health insurance strictly go by what SSN card says.

 

So once I got my GC, I changed all of the remaining into my married name so everything except the passport (in the process currently) is now in my married name.

 

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by powerpuff

[KaitlinL 9]

11 minutes ago, Misscloud said:

get married, get the married certificate, apply for AOS and fill it up the document with married name. less hassle

but if u want to apply for SSN first, then stick with current name

Why is it you guys recommend doing my SSN in my maiden name if doing it first? 

 

My thought was to get that done first so I can open a bank account or have a joint bank account with my fiance. 

[powerpuff 6,697]

1 minute ago, KaitlinL said:

Why is it you guys recommend doing my SSN in my maiden name if doing it first? 

 

My thought was to get that done first so I can open a bank account or have a joint bank account with my fiance. 

See my edited detailed post above.

[Mike E 11,739]

4 minutes ago, KaitlinL said:

Why is it you guys recommend doing my SSN in my maiden name if doing it first? 

 

My thought was to get that done first so I can open a bank account or have a joint bank account with my fiance. 

As a K-1 you are entitled to an SSN. However it needs to be done quickly. Forget what the cut off is. 
 

Some SSA offices will (illegally) deny you an SSN if you are already married.  An SSN is a critical benefit and you will value it more than a name change.  Your name change should be after you naturalize.  

Edited October 26, 2022 by Mike E

[KaitlinL 9]

12 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

~~ Topic moved from AOS k1 to Moving to the US & Your New Life in America as the question is about name change ~~
 

You should apply for SSN before getting married so it’s done asap and in your maiden name.
 

To add, there is no easy and quick way to change your name. Been there done that and I only fully change my name once I got my GC.

 

The problem is the SSA employees that do not know their own policies. Your marriage certificate should be sufficient to get an SSN in your married name but in vast majority of cases they will refuse to - they will tell you they need to see an EAD or GC in your married name.

 

NY DMV went by what the marriage certificate said so I got my DL in my married name. This was not the case with health insurance. So this is where it left me during my K1 AOS process:

 

- passport: maiden
- SSN: maiden

- DL: married 

- health insurance card: maiden

- bank account, including joint: maiden

* banks and health insurance strictly for by what SSN card says.

 

So once I got my GC, I changed all of the remaining into my married name so everything except the passport (in the process currently) is now in my married name.

 

 

Thank you so much, this was incredibly helpful! Especially since I'll be moving to NY as well. 

 

Since you've gone through it, do you mind if I ask about the DL process in NY? Were you able to apply for that right away with a SSN? I find the state websites on things like this aren't much help. (I'm a Canadian citizen for reference, if that matters at all)

[powerpuff 6,697]

4 minutes ago, Mike E said:

An SSN is a critical benefit and you will value it more than a name change

100% agree. You will regret it immensely if you do not get it before the cut off date.

 

So the conclusion is:

 

Easy change = after naturalization but not fast 

Fast(ish) = not easy because of a mismatch in documents and a hassle

 

2 minutes ago, KaitlinL said:

Since you've gone through it, do you mind if I ask about the DL process in NY? Were you able to apply for that right away with a SSN? I find the state websites on things like this aren't much help. (I'm a Canadian citizen for reference, if that matters at all)

It was really easy, I had to get a permit first and then after I passed my road test I got the DL. I applied with the SSN and brought the list of documents which is on NY DMV, it was really helpful, they have sort of like a quiz where it tells you what you need to bring

http://nysdmv.standard-license-and-permit-document-guide.sgizmo.com/s3?_ga=2.196191852.1181290717.1666789745-1262066097.1666789745

 

 

[Mike E 11,739]

NY State’s point based system for documentation always struck me as one that gave that motor vehicle department the most flexibility within written rules. 

[KaitlinL 9]

6 minutes ago, Mike E said:

NY State’s point based system for documentation always struck me as one that gave that motor vehicle department the most flexibility within written rules. 

Doing the quiz and seeing the point-system in terms of required documentation, it seems I won't have any issues at all getting this done.

 

I also know that NY will exchange a valid Canadian Province DL for a NY State DL within 30 days of becoming a resident of NY, so I'm wondering if I'll be able to go that route? But that will be dependent on if I'm considered a resident upon moving there or upon being issued permanent residency with my GC.

[powerpuff 6,697]

15 minutes ago, KaitlinL said:

But that will be dependent on if I'm considered a resident upon moving there or upon being issued permanent residency with my GC.

Upon moving. Step 3 of the quiz outlines which documents are accepted as proof of NY residence, I used my spouse’s ID (NY DL) with a marriage certificate proving we’re married. 

Edited October 26, 2022 by powerpuff

[Mike E 11,739]

5 minutes ago, KaitlinL said:

Doing the quiz and seeing the point-system in terms of required documentation, it seems I won't have any issues at all getting this done.

 

I also know that NY will exchange a valid Canadian Province DL for a NY State DL within 30 days of becoming a resident of NY, so I'm wondering if I'll be able to go that route? But that will be dependent on if I'm considered a resident upon moving there or upon being issued permanent residency with my GC.

If I were you I would:

 

* get my SS card.  Save the post marked envelope it came in and everything in the envelope. 
 

* get married. Save the post marked envelope it came in and every thing in the envelope

 

Bring the above plus your Canadian DL and your other documentation.  

[Verrou 1,962]

11 hours ago, KaitlinL said:

Doing the quiz and seeing the point-system in terms of required documentation, it seems I won't have any issues at all getting this done.

 

I also know that NY will exchange a valid Canadian Province DL for a NY State DL within 30 days of becoming a resident of NY, so I'm wondering if I'll be able to go that route? But that will be dependent on if I'm considered a resident upon moving there or upon being issued permanent residency with my GC.

U will considered resident (Alient ) upon moving there 

 

DL in NYC before Covid ( might changed now) : pass the written test, have to take the class from driving school no matter how well you drive ( please check because it might changed ) and once u got the certification from that driving school you can take a drive test in DMV. I can’t say much about NY state rule, but that’s what I know when I lived there 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Misscloud

[Mike E 11,739]

Canadians have a different deal in NY state. 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Mike E