AOS related // documentation etc

[Anaar 4]

Hello,

 

So soon after I arrived on a K1 visa, I applied for SSN on my maiden name before we got married. When I went back to the SSN office to change my last name to my married one, they said I cannot as I need the AOS first to be done. Is this correct? Can I still add my SSN with my maiden name as proof in the AOS package? Joint bank account is also on my maiden name because they will not change it unless my SSN shows my married name. My husband added me to his medical insurance and they used my married last name, same on the rental lease.

 

I guess I'm just worried as some stuff are under my maiden name and others under my married name, is this okay to use? 

[K1visaHopeful 2,876]

19 minutes ago, Anaar said:

Hello,

 

So soon after I arrived on a K1 visa, I applied for SSN on my maiden name before we got married. When I went back to the SSN office to change my last name to my married one, they said I cannot as I need the AOS first to be done. Is this correct?

 

This is the common SSA practice although not in line with the SSA policy manual (but there isn't much you can do).

They follow the practice that your immigration name is what they go by and since your immigration name has not been updated on any current immigration documents, they will not change your name. 

Once you receive your first immigration benefit in your new married name, you can go back to SSA and update it. (OR if you were smart you'd have applied for a replacement SSN card in your new name on the actual AOS forms).

19 minutes ago, Anaar said:

 

Can I still add my SSN with my maiden name as proof in the AOS package?

As proof of what? What does your SSN card prove? AOS proofs show bona fide marriage. How does your SSN card prove anything to do with your marriage?

19 minutes ago, Anaar said:

Joint bank account is also on my maiden name because they will not change it unless my SSN shows my married name. My husband added me to his medical insurance and they used my married last name, same on the rental lease.

You provide a photocopy of your original or photocopy of your certified MC for AOS. That's it. Anything else is a bonus. 

19 minutes ago, Anaar said:

I guess I'm just worried as some stuff are under my maiden name and others under my married name, is this okay to use? 

Uscis know that you cannot update your name in many places until you receive your first immigration benefit in your new name. 

 

I STRONGLY recommend joining your monthly VJ AOS filing thread so you can learn the basics from your peers who are filing with you. You may also want to join the ones from several months before to get started on your basic research and answers to very common questions.

[Dashinka 24,752]

Yes, this is fairly common with the SSA when it comes to handling AOSing immigrants (my wife had the same issue).  You can use your current SSN when filing the I485 since you will show your maiden name as an other name used, and once you get the GC, you can re-visit changing your SSA record.

 

You will be fine with stuff as is for now, then correct things once the GC is issued in the married name (fill out the I485 package with your married name so the GC will have the married name).

 

Good Luck!

[Edward and Jaycel 462]

Ok, so to be specific - If you are wanting to change your name due to the marriage, on the I-485, Part 1 - Question 1 "Your Current Legal Name", put your new, married name here. (As long as the name is some combination of names shown on the marriage certificate) Question 2, "Other Names You Have Used Since Birth" put your maiden name. Then in Question 19, you check yes in all the boxes and fill in your SSN in the spot provided and when approved, USCIS will notify SSA of your name change, and they will issue you a new card in your married name. If you are submitting the I-765 for Employment Authorization, follow the same procedure on that form as well and you will receive your new SSN in your married name somewhat quicker as the I-765 is usually adjudicated faster than the I-485. The SSN you receive after the I-765 will still have the restriction "Valid for Employment Only With DHS Authorization" on it but that's ok because you'll have your Employment Authorization Document. You'll get the unrestricted SSN card after your AOS approval.

[wildbug100420 156]

2 hours ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

Ok, so to be specific - If you are wanting to change your name due to the marriage, on the I-485, Part 1 - Question 1 "Your Current Legal Name", put your new, married name here. (As long as the name is some combination of names shown on the marriage certificate) Question 2, "Other Names You Have Used Since Birth" put your maiden name. Then in Question 19, you check yes in all the boxes and fill in your SSN in the spot provided and when approved, USCIS will notify SSA of your name change, and they will issue you a new card in your married name. If you are submitting the I-765 for Employment Authorization, follow the same procedure on that form as well and you will receive your new SSN in your married name somewhat quicker as the I-765 is usually adjudicated faster than the I-485. The SSN you receive after the I-765 will still have the restriction "Valid for Employment Only With DHS Authorization" on it but that's ok because you'll have your Employment Authorization Document. You'll get the unrestricted SSN card after your AOS approval.

My wife did this and got the new social security card in married name without going to the social security office when her eac card was approved 

[Edward and Jaycel 462]

Just now, wildbug100420 said:

My wife did this and got the new social security card in married name without going to the social security office when her eac card was approved 

 

We did this with Jaycel's I-485 and I-765 applications too

[Edward and Jaycel 462]

30 minutes ago, wildbug100420 said:

My wife did this and got the new social security card in married name without going to the social security office when her eac card was approved 

 

We just got Jaycel's I-765 approval on Wednesday.... How long after your wife's I-765 approval did it take for her new SS Card to arrive?

[wildbug100420 156]

3 hours ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

We just got Jaycel's I-765 approval on Wednesday.... How long after your wife's I-765 approval did it take for her new SS Card to arrive?

Actually SSN came about a week before the eac card

[Edward and Jaycel 462]

3 minutes ago, wildbug100420 said:

Actually SSN came about a week before the eac card

 

Oh wow! Ok thanks for the info!  

 

[Mezyan 153]

Having a different name than your spouse will not impact your application. Both my spouse and I kept our names after marriage and it wasn’t not an issue when we applied to AOS. Good luck to yall!