Male non-US citizen last name change after marriage

[Bunninuts 31]

Has anyone changed their last name after marriage that were male and from a country other than the US? What does that process look like? My fiance and I have considered choosing a new last name that we can share. This process is easy in the US with two citizens however unsure the process for the other country and the US to change a last name for a male.

 

Thank you for helpful guidance 💜

[SalishSea 17,970]

You will need to go through the local courts where you will be living for that type of name change.  Since you two are creating a new name, this will be the process for you both.

 

In terms of it being recognized in your own country, that is probably beyond the scope of VisaJourney, but I'm sure you can utilize the Google and find out.  The courts will provide documentation of the legal name change.

[Lemonslice 4,917]

The process will vary depending on the state.  In my state, spouses can pick a new name to share when they get married (so Ms. Smith and Mr. John can become Ms. Zorro and Mr. Zorro, or change for one of their name).  Check with your state, then check with your local consulate to see how to update your other documents, if you choose to do so.  

Edited October 31 by Lemonslice

[Family 4,065]

33 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

The process will vary depending on the state.  In my state, spouses can pick a new name to share when they get married (so Ms. Smith and Mr. John can become Ms. Zorro and Mr. Zorro, or change for one of their name).  Check with your state, then check with your local consulate to see how to update your other documents, if you choose to do so.  

Humor me ..I am from the Show Me State😂 and curious . ..so link please.

On marriage in all 50 was my impression one ( or both)

 can take

1. other spouse’s name ( from your ex Ms Smith can be Mrs John )

2. combo of both spouse’s names ( ref you again Ms Smith can be Mrs Smith-John ( hyphen not required) * Same sex have same privilege and either spouse can modify /take on married name..even though not all certificates have the adequate data fields.

If a New-out-of-the Blue Name is desired, a separate court process is needed.

[Lemonslice 4,917]

21 minutes ago, Family said:

Humor me ..I am from the Show Me State😂 and curious . ..so link please.

On marriage in all 50 was my impression one ( or both)

 can take

1. other spouse’s name ( from your ex Ms Smith can be Mrs John )

2. combo of both spouse’s names ( ref you again Ms Smith can be Mrs Smith-John ( hyphen not required) * Same sex have same privilege and either spouse can modify /take on married name..even though not all certificates have the adequate data fields.

If a New-out-of-the Blue Name is desired, a separate court process is needed.

Linked in my message, but here again:

Quote

If you get married, Massachusetts law allows you to adopt any surname (last name).

https://www.mass.gov/name-changes

 

Here is an article referencing what some couples do:

Quote

Lindsie Alterman and Michelle Okun of Massachusetts became the Alterkuns

https://www.vogue.com/article/newlywed-couples-combining-last-names-wedding

 

---

Also:

 

 

Quote

2006 Massachusetts Code - Chapter 46 — Section 1D. Adoption of surname upon marriage.

 

Section 1D. Each party to a marriage may adopt any surname, including but not limited to the present or birth-given surname of either party, may retain or resume use of a present or birth-given surname, or may adopt any hyphenated combination thereof.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2006/gl-pt1-toc/46-1d.html (emphasis mine)

Edited October 31 by Lemonslice

[TBoneTX 45,591]

We need more threads like this.   

[Family 4,065]

18 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Linked in my message, but here again:

https://www.mass.gov/name-changes

 

Here is an article referencing what some couples do:

https://www.vogue.com/article/newlywed-couples-combining-last-names-wedding

 

Thank you, I missed the 1st link. Superb and and easy in your state. A CA friend , a few years ago, also picked a new name for herself on her marriage certificate… ( unrelated to either spouse), post green card and happily went on her way for many years. At I-90 renewal…it was a no go and she chose to naturalize over a court name change.

[Dashinka 24,635]

My cousins who came over on DVs and had different family names (they were married in Russia) picked a new same last name when they naturalized.  This is an option.

 

Good Luck!

[Bunninuts 31]

@Lemonslice To make sure I am understanding you correctly, it doesn't matter if the person is here from another country, we can still change both of our last names in your states example?

 

14 hours ago, Family said:

Thank you, I missed the 1st link. Superb and and easy in your state. A CA friend , a few years ago, also picked a new name for herself on her marriage certificate… ( unrelated to either spouse), post green card and happily went on her way for many years. At I-90 renewal…it was a no go and she chose to naturalize over a court name change.

@Family Do you mean it went well for everything after their marriage and obtaining a green card but couldn't renew because of the name change? Did they change names before applying for the green card?

 

@Dashinka Naturalization is not the same as a green card, right?

 

I'm in Oregon and will sleuth what is needed in my state and then of course for the green card process/consulate. Thank you everyone for your helpful input. I'm hoping someone that has done this themselves may surface for more questions answered 😁 I have read that it can be different for a male to change their last name during marriage than the female so being sure this can really happen for my partner and I. 🥰

 

[Family 4,065]

1 minute ago, Bunninuts said:

@Lemonslice To make sure I am understanding you correctly, it doesn't matter if the person is here from another country, we can still change both of our last names in your states example?

 

@Family Do you mean it went well for everything after their marriage and obtaining a green card but couldn't renew because of the name change? Did they change names before applying for the green card?

 

@Dashinka Naturalization is not the same as a green card, right?

 

I'm in Oregon and will sleuth what is needed in my state and then of course for the green card process/consulate. Thank you everyone for your helpful input. I'm hoping someone that has done this themselves may surface for more questions answered 😁 I have read that it can be different for a male to change their last name during marriage than the female so being sure this can really happen for my partner and I. 🥰

 

Oregon seems to be like CA, so allows any combination of spouses names. 
‘Same sex have same protection, so gently coax them with the law if you get pushback. 
 

My earlier story was an example of someone in CA who already had LPR /green card when she married. She misunderstood she could choose ANY surname on marriage certificate and did. Although she managed to establish new name pretty much everywhere ( banks, credit, utilities, licenses) when it came to renew green card, it failed. So she naturalized

 

https://www.theknot.com/content/name-change-oregon

Take note though that Oregon marriage license name change options are limited. This document is kind of strict and really only allows people to change their name to their future spouse's last name or a combination of their two last names, such as a hyphenation or just both last names (in either order). Ask your county clerk for more information, so you can ensure you're filling it out properly.

[Dashinka 24,635]

48 minutes ago, Bunninuts said:

@Lemonslice To make sure I am understanding you correctly, it doesn't matter if the person is here from another country, we can still change both of our last names in your states example?

 

@Family Do you mean it went well for everything after their marriage and obtaining a green card but couldn't renew because of the name change? Did they change names before applying for the green card?

 

@Dashinka Naturalization is not the same as a green card, right?

 

I'm in Oregon and will sleuth what is needed in my state and then of course for the green card process/consulate. Thank you everyone for your helpful input. I'm hoping someone that has done this themselves may surface for more questions answered 😁 I have read that it can be different for a male to change their last name during marriage than the female so being sure this can really happen for my partner and I. 🥰

 

Correct.  Naturalization would be becoming a USC if you so desire.  Honestly it is best if you are doing AOS to become an LPR to make the change then (this is what my wife did), but I brought up naturalization as it is an option in the long run, and many people do it that way to avoid dealing with the name differences on a foreign passport (this is generally not really a big deal).

 

Good Luck!

[Bunninuts 31]

I found the easiest way for my partner and I to choose a new last name is for me to change my last name before we get married. When we marry, he takes my last name which is an option in the US. I'm not sure how this would work in Panama and finding information on name changes in Panama is proving challenging 🙃

[top_secret 2,456]

15 hours ago, Bunninuts said:

I'm not sure how this would work in Panama and finding information on name changes in Panama is proving challenging 🙃

 

I have no knowledge myself, but there is this....

https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/cambio-adicion-modificacion-y-supresion-de-nombres-propios-por-derecho-de-uso-y-costumbre/