Name Change during AOS?

[airwarrior 0]

Hi All,

My Fiancee arrived few days ago! We are getting married soon!! Wanted to know what is the best way to change name after marriage? Should she do it after AOS process or during AOS process? If during AOS process then how can she do it? Anything specific she has to do?

Also, is it good idea to wait for SSN before sending AOS/EAD?

Thanks in advance!

[YuAndDan 153]

You can apply for the SS card now, or after you get EAD or Green Card.

When you marry, you can change name by putting on the marriage license the name that she will go by after marriage. Then when you do AOS, and EAD paperwork, you use her new name.

Look carefully at the example I-485 form. http://www.visajourney.com/examples/INS-Form-I-485.pdf

Part 1 Shows married name, Part 3 shows maiden name.

[rebelheart 0]

She could apply SScard in maiden name, but if she wanted to use your last name. Then its better to get into your wedding first ... after wedding she could apply for SS card in married name, she will be needing her passport, birth cert. & marriage license. but she will get a restricted SS card that means "not valid without DHS authorization". You could only make it unrestricted after she got her EAD or greencard, you need to go back to SS office for changes.

You could apply AOS with her married name already after marriage, one of the many requirements is the marriage license ... she will put her maiden name in "other name used".

Goodluck!

[YuAndDan 153]

She could apply SScard in maiden name, but if she wanted to use your last name. Then its better to get into your wedding first ... after wedding she could apply for SS card in married name, she will be needing her passport, birth cert. & marriage license. but she will get a restricted SS card that means "not valid without DHS authorization". You could only make it unrestricted after she got her EAD or greencard, you need to go back to SS office for changes.

You could apply AOS with her married name already after marriage, one of the many requirements is the marriage license ... she will put her maiden name in "other name used".

Goodluck!

Note: can only get unrestricted SS card only with Green Card, The SS card will have the disclaimer "not valid without DHS authorization" if only has EAD, EAD IS the DHS authorization.

[HB34 0]

Hi All,

My Fiancee arrived few days ago! We are getting married soon!! Wanted to know what is the best way to change name after marriage? Should she do it after AOS process or during AOS process? If during AOS process then how can she do it? Anything specific she has to do?

Also, is it good idea to wait for SSN before sending AOS/EAD?

Thanks in advance!

My wife and I had the same question when we started and from our experience we found that it doesn't make a difference at all if the last name is changed or not. The only problem we had was when we drove 2 hours to Batimore for the fingerprinting and they made us drive all the way back because the appointment notice had her married last name on it and her passport had her maiden name! They made us go back home and get the marriage certificate to prove the name change! Needless to say it was a very long 9 hour day for a 10 minute appointment! If the last name is changed I would suggest taking your marriage license even if the instructions don't call for it.

Good luck!

[timelena 0]

It sounds like it is not a problem to change the name in America. The question is whether it will be a problem in your wife's home country if she changes her name. Will she be able to travel there with a green card? How is she going to renew her passport? I think you should check it at your regional discussion.

[airwarrior 0]

I already got the marriage license (with her maiden name) and the person who gave us the license put her name as same as the passport. Is there specific place where she has to put the changed name?

please help

Edited December 10, 2006 by airwarrior

[airwarrior 0]

We are getting married in courthouse so does the judge put her changed name in space below where it says "Print name of bride".

[motu 5]

When you file for AOS us eher new name and in other names used mention her maiden name. She can then travel with her passport (maiden name) till she needs it renewed - then get it changed to married name. Make sure to buy all tickets in the name on the passport - the airlines are very strict about that. My wife buys tickets in her new name when traveling within USA and in her maiden name when traveling outside. Immigration doesn't try to match the name on the ticket to the name on the green card (but carry a copy of your marriage certificate if you are worried - we don't.) Good Luck

[airwarrior 0]

Anyone knows if

Changed name should appear on Marriage License or Certificate?

[timelena 0]

Anyone knows if

Changed name should appear on Marriage License or Certificate?

I would think the templete of the Marriage License or Certificate is different in each State or even County. In my case, there was no place where to type the new name.

[CWR 0]

Anyone knows if

Changed name should appear on Marriage License or Certificate?

I would think the templete of the Marriage License or Certificate is different in each State or even County. In my case, there was no place where to type the new name.

I agree....same here, but I heard it differently from other states

[Yodrak 7]

timelena,

The woman is a citizen of her native country, what does her having a US Green Card have to do with her ability to travel there?

Yodrak

It sounds like it is not a problem to change the name in America. The question is whether it will be a problem in your wife's home country if she changes her name. Will she be able to travel there with a green card? ...

[timelena 0]

timelena,

The woman is a citizen of her native country, what does her having a US Green Card have to do with her ability to travel there?

Yordak,

Unfortunately, in my country it matters. If I had changed my name, I would be allowed to enter my native country, but it is not certain whether I would be able to come back to US. When the names on the passport and green card do not match, and because Marriage Certificates are not uniform or for some other reason, one could be denied boarding a plane for US. Such situations happened, here is a link.

I don't know if it is relevant for India, I just assumed that my country is not the ONLY country in the world where it could happen.

[Yodrak 7]

timelena,

Thanks for the link. I see the problem with Russia, which is frustrating if one is not aware. It appears that the problem can be avoided with advance preparation.

In any event, be careful of assuming that what applies to one country applies to another.

Yodrak

timelena,

The woman is a citizen of her native country, what does her having a US Green Card have to do with her ability to travel there?

Yordak,

Unfortunately, in my country it matters. If I had changed my name, I would be allowed to enter my native country, but it is not certain whether I would be able to come back to US. When the names on the passport and green card do not match, and because Marriage Certificates are not uniform or for some other reason, one could be denied boarding a plane for US. Such situations happened, here is a link.

I don't know if it is relevant for India, I just assumed that my country is not the ONLY country in the world where it could happen.

Edited December 13, 2006 by Yodrak