Name Change

[PatientlyWaiting4 0]

I have a unique situation- 7 years ago, I was married and changed my name (let's just say it went from Brown to Jones, Brown being my maiden name and Jones being my married name). When I got divorced two years ago, I never changed my name back to "Brown" and I ended up meeting my now-fiancee very shortly after my divorce (~5 months after). We knew immediately that we wanted to get married so we started the i-129f paperwork with my divorced name of "Jones." Long story short, on her issued visa, it now says "Petitioner is ___ Jones," not "Brown." 

 

I hate my married/divorced last name but was too afraid to change it this whole time thinking it would cause problems with the submitted documents. My question is, now that the visa is stamped and approved, can I "change" my name back to the maiden name of "Brown" before I get married to my now-fiancee? Or will that cause issues since her passport/visa says my divorced name and not my maiden name? Or will it not be a problem since USCIS is already aware since I listed both names on all of the paperwork? 

 

I am honestly not even sure who to talk to in regards to this so I am posting here, hoping someone has some feedback or has had a similar situation. 

Edited May 25, 2023 by PatientlyWaiting4

[Mike E 11,739]

11 minutes ago, PatientlyWaiting4 said:

can I "change" my name back to the maiden name of "Brown"

Only with a lawful change of name document.

 

 

[Redro 4,611]

34 minutes ago, PatientlyWaiting4 said:

I have a unique situation- 7 years ago, I was married and changed my name (let's just say it went from Brown to Jones, Brown being my maiden name and Jones being my married name). When I got divorced two years ago, I never changed my name back to "Brown" and I ended up meeting my now-fiancee very shortly after my divorce (~5 months after). We knew immediately that we wanted to get married so we started the i-129f paperwork with my divorced name of "Jones." Long story short, on her issued visa, it now says "Petitioner is ___ Jones," not "Brown." 

 

I hate my married/divorced last name but was too afraid to change it this whole time thinking it would cause problems with the submitted documents. My question is, now that the visa is stamped and approved, can I "change" my name back to the maiden name of "Brown" before I get married to my now-fiancee? Or will that cause issues since her passport/visa says my divorced name and not my maiden name? Or will it not be a problem since USCIS is already aware since I listed both names on all of the paperwork?  Check marriage license in your state it might have space for you to list all previous names... 

 

I am honestly not even sure who to talk to in regards to this so I am posting here, hoping someone has some feedback or has had a similar situation. 

I'm assuming you are the American. 

You should check the laws of the state you live in. Some places will allow you to change your name back to Brown with the divorce decree (this is the name change document). 

You should also check the laws of your state to see what is possible name change wise when you get married... are you planning on changing your name when you marry your future spouse or having her take your name or would you like to blend your names (hyphenated?). 

 

https://newlynamed.com/guides/name-change-after-divorce/

Edited May 25, 2023 by Redro

[PatientlyWaiting4 0]

2 minutes ago, Redro said:

I'm assuming you are the American. 

You should check the laws of the state you live in. Some places will allow you to change your name back to Brown with the divorce decree. 

You should also check the laws of your state to see what is possible name change wise when you get married... are you planning on changing your name when you marry your future spouse or having her take your name or would you like to blend your names (hypenated?). 

I know that I can change my name back to Brown with the divorce decree- I guess my question is more based on, how does that affect the now stamped visa with the last name of Jones? If I change my name back to Brown and we get married and she takes the last name of Brown but her visa says Petitioner's name is Jones... does that cause issues? I want to change my name back to Brown and she wants to take that name as well, so it would be easier to do that on the marriage cert, but I just don't want it to cause issues when she files for Adjustment of Status and Green card. 

 

And yes, I am the American 

[Redro 4,611]

8 minutes ago, PatientlyWaiting4 said:

I know that I can change my name back to Brown with the divorce decree- I guess my question is more based on, how does that affect the now stamped visa with the last name of Jones? If I change my name back to Brown and we get married and she takes the last name of Brown but her visa says Petitioner's name is Jones... does that cause issues? I want to change my name back to Brown and she wants to take that name as well, so it would be easier to do that on the marriage cert, but I just don't want it to cause issues when she files for Adjustment of Status and Green card. 

 

And yes, I am the American 

Should be fine… you’ve listed all previous names and you’ll list all previous names on the i485. With name change evidence.