name change after marriage

[Freeegg 0]

HI-  we have a quick turnaround time to get our paperwork filed after our marriage.  Should my wife use her current name or my last name on her forms ?  Should we go by what it says on the certified marriage certificate?  thanks

[Crazy Cat 41,814]

It depends, completely, on what legal name she wishes to use.  

Edited March 20, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Freeegg 0]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

It depends, completely, on what legal name she wishes to use.  

ok thanks-  I just don't to get rejected for some strange technicality.  

[Crazy Cat 41,814]

Just now, Freeegg said:

ok thanks-  I just don't to get rejected for some strange technicality.  

For immigration and USCIS purposes, she can use any combination of her names on the marriage certificate.  

Example:  Mary Smith marries John Jones.  She can use:

Mary Smith

Mary Jones

Mary Smith Jones

Mary Smith-Jones

 

[OldUser 6,613]

@Freeegg note though, she would have to update her passport of origin with up to date last name if she changes it. Depending on the country of origin, this may be easy or difficult.

She can also travel with old last name in passport, but will have to carry marriage certificate to prove name change.

 

The best times to change name:

- Now

- When she files N-400 in the future

 

The worst times to change the name:

- After AOS and before N-400

Edited March 20, 2023 by OldUser

[Freeegg 0]

Just now, OldUser said:

@Freeegg note though, she would have to update her passport of origin with up to date last name if she changes it. Depending on the country of origin, this may be easy or difficult.

She can also travel with old last name in passport, but will have to carry marriage certificate to prove name change.

thank you

[OldUser 6,613]

1 minute ago, Freeegg said:

thank you

In addition to travel, also she may need to consider if she's inheriting anything any time soon or has foreign property already. She may keep her old name back in her country and new name in the US, but I'd never advice it because how do you answer "What's your legal name" question from authorities 😃