CHanging Last Name

[SilkRoad 0]

My wife is in the US on K-3. When we married in her native country she kept her maiden name, but now we would like to change her last name during the AOS process. I have read the docs and don't see where she can change her name. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I would like to see replies to this one. My CR-1 came under my maiden name even when I had already (in Canada) changed to my husband's!!! Now it's all a freakin mess.

[YuAndDan 153]

What state? Some states have a legal name change process, and others just say a person changes their name by starting to use the name that they choose and continue using that name.

[Dakine 26]

I adopted my stepchild and changed her name at the AOS interview.

Screwed the process up a bit causing a couple month delay in getting GC. After doing 2 more biometrics they finally got it right.

[motu 5]

It's fairly easy - just put the new name on the forms in the name column ( the name under which you want to get the greencard) and list all other names as other names used. This way the change in name is 'free' - the other time you can get it done for free is when you file for citizenship. If you have already received the SS card in the old name then you will need to change it with SS office later on. Good Luck

[sandy cheeks 0]

Hi.

I had to change my last name aswell, cause I filed for AOS with my maiden name and than had it changed. I talked to USCIS yesterday and finally got someone on the phone who knew what she was talking about... sorry, but that doesn't happen often...

Well, she told me, that I should write a letter with the request of name update. Explain them, that I had my name changed after filing for AOS, add a copy of my marriage certificate and a copy of NOA1 for I-485 (I guess that's what she filed for?!) and the receipt # and send it asap to this adress she gave me:

National Benefits Center

Attn: I-485 unit

Name change update

705B SE Melody Lane

Lee's Summit, MO 60463

Btw it doesn't cost anything.

That's what I did, hope it works for you. Good luck!!

Oh... I just realized that you got married and she kept her name... so marriage cert. won't work, you should send an evidence of name change with the letter aswell. Good luck.

Edited October 6, 2007 by sandy cheeks

[Thijs 0]

About changing a name:

Does anyone know if it's possible in the state of Illinois for the man to change his last name right after the wedding ceremony, so before the AOS?

I have a Dutch last name which would cause some trouble for American to pronounce, so I wish to take my future wife's name. The sooner I have her name, the better. Changing it before the wedding would be kinda akward, since people might think we're brother and sister who are getting married.

[athena_ny 1]

About changing a name:

Does anyone know if it's possible in the state of Illinois for the man to change his last name right after the wedding ceremony, so before the AOS?

I have a Dutch last name which would cause some trouble for American to pronounce, so I wish to take my future wife's name. The sooner I have her name, the better. Changing it before the wedding would be kinda akward, since people might think we're brother and sister who are getting married.

from http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2778930&page=1:

"In Illinois, a man wishing to take his wife's surname must fork over $246 for a petition and another $150 to publish the change in a newspaper."

You'll need a court order to get it legally changed, it looks like.

[Thijs 0]

*sigh*

I'll add it to the "list of costs"