Name change during AOS

[rickynlucy 0]

I have searched the forum for name changes during AOS and have found plenty of examples of women changing their name due to marriage without a problem. Would there be a problem for my husband to change his name prior to being approved for AOS? He wants to use an Americanized version of his name. He came over on a fiance visa and hasn't gotten an EAD or driver license yet, so I'm thinking it would be easier to change his name now rather than to wait. Or would this just confuse USCIS and I should just go ahead and wait to change his name until after we have the conditional green card and pay the extra fees for a new green card?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and advice.

Edited March 28, 2009 by rickynlucy

[Bobby+Umit 161]

You shouldn't have much of a problem to change the name. If he gets the legal paperwork done, then that will be his legal name.

You can contact the USCIS to make changes to the forms after the name change.

You will probably need to provide proof of the name change to them at that time.

[Nina+Matt 0]

i would take care of the name change prior to filing for aos since the name youre going to use on the forms for aos will be the name appearing on your gc! once the gc is issued with a "wrong" name it will be expensive and time intense to get it changed!

[웃 910]

You have to get married before sending the AOS papers in therefore his name would be changed at time of marriage (although not officially). Then, after being married, you can send in the AOS papers using his new name. Just make sure to (1) go to the social security office to apply for his social security card with new name (it is free, just show the person a valid I-94 in the visa and a passport and marriage license). (2) Go to the secretary of state's office to obtain a drivers license or state id card with his new name (they will not issue a state id or drivers license to him unless he has his social security card with his new name on it. Step 1 is free and needs to be done first. Step 2 costs $10 in Michigan.

Edited March 28, 2009 by Confucian

[mr and mrs 187]

this is an issue for my fiance too. he would like to change his last name (by removing this biological but not-so-nice father's name from his official name. (X) he has always used his mother's maiden name (Y) and goes by jamie Y (rather than the jamie Y X that appears on many of his documents, including passport, birth certificate, etc).

ill have to do some more research (and i have some time since he wont be here for about a month), but is there a legal/offical/recommended way for him to change his last name? i just feel confused as to who we need to contact first. the previous poster said to go to the SSec office (with passport (Jamie Y X), I-94 (probably will be Jamie Y X, just to be safe for the POE) and a marriage license (possibly i will be able to write in his name as Jamie X.)

then the SS Card should be generated and once we get that, he can the apply for a Vermont Non-Driver ID( or a Learner's Permit, im hoping) which he should be able to get if he can show residency (he is on my lease and he will be receiving mail here).

im just not sure why the would all you to determine what name you wanted on your ID, when you have other docs clearly stating that you have a different name.

ill do some research and see what i find out.

would love anyone's comments on this issue. : )

[rickynlucy 0]

this is an issue for my fiance too. he would like to change his last name (by removing this biological but not-so-nice father's name from his official name. (X) he has always used his mother's maiden name (Y) and goes by jamie Y (rather than the jamie Y X that appears on many of his documents, including passport, birth certificate, etc).

ill have to do some more research (and i have some time since he wont be here for about a month), but is there a legal/offical/recommended way for him to change his last name? i just feel confused as to who we need to contact first. the previous poster said to go to the SSec office (with passport (Jamie Y X), I-94 (probably will be Jamie Y X, just to be safe for the POE) and a marriage license (possibly i will be able to write in his name as Jamie X.)

then the SS Card should be generated and once we get that, he can the apply for a Vermont Non-Driver ID( or a Learner's Permit, im hoping) which he should be able to get if he can show residency (he is on my lease and he will be receiving mail here).

im just not sure why the would all you to determine what name you wanted on your ID, when you have other docs clearly stating that you have a different name.

ill do some research and see what i find out.

would love anyone's comments on this issue. : )

What I have found in searching the boards is that the social security office will only issue a card in the name on file with immigration. I know that in my state (California) they will only issue a driver license in the name that is on the ss card. So if it's true that the social security office insists on the name matching USCIS records, I'm assuming that I have to go to court and change the name and then get USCIS to update their records.

Here is the legal name change info for Vermont:

http://www.vermontjudiciary.org/GTC/Probate/namechange.aspx

I'll let you know what happens.

[mr and mrs 187]

What I have found in searching the boards is that the social security office will only issue a card in the name on file with immigration. I know that in my state (California) they will only issue a driver license in the name that is on the ss card. So if it's true that the social security office insists on the name matching USCIS records, I'm assuming that I have to go to court and change the name and then get USCIS to update their records.

Here is the legal name change info for Vermont:

http://www.vermontjudiciary.org/GTC/Probate/namechange.aspx

I'll let you know what happens.

thanks!

is it possible to contact the USCIS for guidance about this issue? is that something they would be able to help with? might try giving them a call to see.

im pretty hazy about the whole process. and i am not finding as much information as i thought i would find. i guess there is always a learning curve, so i had better get learning!

there dont seem to be any set guidelines to follow for a name change for people dealing with the USCIS. im concerned about trying to get the timing right. id rather get the name change sooner rather than later so we dont have to get replacement documents/green card and spend the time and money chasing those down.

jamie hasnt even entered the US yet (another month or so), but im already starting to worry about how we will get this done properly.

there must be lots of women who've taken their husband's last name who have gone through this who can comment. i do think part of the confusion is due to the regulations at the state-level that govern how a name change is done.

any vermonters out there? heh. probably not that many. : p

Edited March 30, 2009 by mr and mrs