Changing Last Name on Green Card Conundrum

[notquitesurehow 9]

TLDR: my SSN is in my married name, my 10-year GC is in my maiden name and I am looking to change it back to my married name which I'd subsequently decided to keep. Can I do that?

 

Hi all, 

 

I have a situation that's maybe a little different than most folks' who have been in my place, which is getting a divorce after obtaining a green card, and I'm looking for some tips.

 

My husband and I separated and subsequently got divorced shortly after I got my temporary 2-year Green Card. It wasn't exactly a peaceful separation, and after we finalized the divorce he essentially cut contact with me. Naturally, when I had to apply for Permanent Residence and obtain my 10 year green card after the divorce, I filled out the paperwork with my maiden name assuming I'd want to change it back.

 

 

My case, however, took years and during those years I kept going by my married name and never made an attempt to change it back to my maiden one with SSA because I assumed I would need an updated immigration document first and a divorce decree wouldn't be enough. I started getting used to that name and my ex and I eventually did reconnect and he said he'd be okay with me keeping it. Obviously, at this point my whole life is under that name.

 

Now with the new requirements for Real ID I am finding myself in a situation where I'm going to have to use my green card for domestic flights, which would be a problem given miles statuses, etc. I figured the best way to go about this is to change my Green Card name. I haven't looked into how much it costs, but what worries me more is - what type of evidence could I provide justifying the name change? Given I already got a divorce but decided to keep the name regardless? 

 

I may be overthinking this but any insight you may have would be helpful 

Thanks!

[TBoneTX 46,844]

Thread is moved from the "AOS from K Visas" forum to General Immigration Discussion.

[K1visaHopeful 2,968]

You can:

1. Apply for citizenship and request a name change. 

2. Apply for a legal name change through your local government and then apply for a new GC when eligible. 

1 is feasible.