Married to US Citizen (merged threads)

[Marily Jarolim 1]

I am a permanent resident and been living here in the US for 3 years. Just this week, I married a US citizen and decided to change my first name and last name. Do I need to update my green card as well or its okay not to. I will be filing my citizenship anyway after 2 more years. Another question, am I eligible to file us citizenship because I’ve been living here in the US for 3 years and now married to a US citizen? Or i still need to wait until my 5 years of residency? Thank you

[K1visaHopeful 2,810]

Your name cannot legally be changed until your immigrant name is changed.

You may file after 5 years.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,432]

2 hours ago, Marily Jarolim said:

Another question, am I eligible to file us citizenship because I’ve been living here in the US for 3 years and now married to a US citizen? 

No.

 

The 3 year rule only applies to those who have been married to a USC and living together in the US for 3 years.  

 

You have been in the US for 3 years but have not been married for 3 years.

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from AOS from K1 to US Citizenship General Discussion -- OP is already a PR, intending to apply for citizenship ***

 

[Marily Jarolim 1]

4 hours ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Your name cannot legally be changed until your immigrant name is changed.

You may file after 5 years.

You mean i cannot use my husband’s last name too? I am scheduled today at 9am with the judge to change both my first name and last name. Thank you

[arken 4,197]

6 minutes ago, Marily Jarolim said:

You mean i cannot use my husband’s last name too? I am scheduled today at 9am with the judge to change both my first name and last name. Thank you

You don't need a judge just to use your husbands last name. If the judge/court approves your first and last name change, they will provide the paperwork that you can use as evidence of name change for other documents like GC, SSN.

[Marily Jarolim 1]

Just now, arken said:

You don't need a judge just to use your husbands last name. If the judge/court approves your first and last name change, they will provide the paperwork that you can use as evidence of name change for other documents like GC, SSN.

It is because I am changing my first name as well that’s why I scheduled with the court. If the judge approves my first and last name change I need to change my green card right? 

[belinda63 3,038]

Yes with any name change you need to update all your documents to reflect the new name. 

[Chancy 6,241]

4 minutes ago, Marily Jarolim said:

If the judge approves my first and last name change I need to change my green card right? 

 

There is no requirement to update your GC if you don't want to.  The court order signed by the judge will be your proof of legal name change.  SSA will accept that when you apply to update the name on your SSN card.

 

[Daisy.Chain 317]

6 hours ago, Marily Jarolim said:

I am a permanent resident and been living here in the US for 3 years. Just this week, I married a US citizen and decided to change my first name and last name. Do I need to update my green card as well or its okay not to. I will be filing my citizenship anyway after 2 more years. Another question, am I eligible to file us citizenship because I’ve been living here in the US for 3 years and now married to a US citizen? Or i still need to wait until my 5 years of residency? Thank you

I don't know about your first question, but you can file for citizenship after 5 yrs as a PR or after 3 yrs as a PR married to a US citizen - and you can actually file 90 days early for the latter. I don't know if PRs applying for citizenship can file 90 days prior to their 5 yr anniversary, but either way the 5 yr rule is the fastest for you.

[arken 4,197]

1 hour ago, Marily Jarolim said:

It is because I am changing my first name as well that’s why I scheduled with the court. If the judge approves my first and last name change I need to change my green card right? 

You are not required to but if you plan to travel abroad, you may want to get the GC and the passport under your new name. If not going anywhere, you can just file for citizenship with new name at that time.

[Jenny15 22]

6 hours ago, Marily Jarolim said:

I am a permanent resident and been living here in the US for 3 years. Just this week, I married a US citizen and decided to change my first name and last name. Do I need to update my green card as well or its okay not to. I will be filing my citizenship anyway after 2 more years. Another question, am I eligible to file us citizenship because I’ve been living here in the US for 3 years and now married to a US citizen? Or i still need to wait until my 5 years of residency? Thank you

Hi,

 

We were on the same boat  To answer your questions:

 

1. You have the options to report or change your name on your GC by filing I-90 form. And you have the option as well not to report or change. In my case, I didn't report/ change it, I've waited to file my citizenship and no problem at all.

    (you can use your husband's name if you want too as well)

2. Since you're a permanent resident you have to wait 5 yrs in order for you to file citizenship and you must be living in the US for 5 yrs physically. You can file citizenship 3mons before you reach your 5 yrs.

    (3yrs filing USC is only for US petitioner and married.)

 

Hope it helps  

Edited July 23, 2021 by Jenny15

[Marily Jarolim 1]

Just now, Jenny15 said:

Hi,

 

We were on the same boat  To answer your questions:

 

1. You have the options to report or change your name on your GC by filing I-90 form. And If you have the option as well not to report or change. In my case, I didn't report/ change it, I've waited to file my citizenship and no problem at all.

2. Since you're a permanent resident you have to wait 5 yrs in order for you to file citizenship and you must be living in the US for 5 yrs physically. You can file citizenship 3mons before you reach your 5 yrs.

    (3yrs filing USC is only for US petitioner and married.)

 

Hope it helps  

Thank you so much for this information. Much appreciated 

[little immigrant 801]

I changed my name during the N400 process. It was easy

[Bob in Boston 698]

8 hours ago, Marily Jarolim said:

Do I need to update my green card as well or its okay not to.

No You do not have to update your green card but do not update your Passport or you will have problems when you leave the country. You can change your last name when you get married ...... no need for the judge for that as your marriage license gives you that right. You need the Judge to change your first name. My wife changed her first name but did it through the Philippine courts before we filed for AOS back in 2017. When you file your N-400 it askes for your legal name then the next line it askes for the name on your green card so this is common to have the different names. you can also wait to change your first name when you Naturalize as it asks what name you want on your naturalization certificate. Hope this helps