HEEEELP - NAME CHANGE - LEGAL EVIDENCE CONFUSION (merged)

[SteffyBrian 2]

Hello VJ community,

I find myself with a big question mark in my head. USCIS requested an RFE on our AOS after we got married on our case.

My maiden name lets say is: Maria Estefanía" plus 2 more last names.

I applied with name. "Estefania (Maiden Lastname - to be my second name) and my husbands lastname."

USCIS approved my Employment Authorization with that name Estefanía (Middle Name: Maiden Lastname) (Husbands Lastname)

I changed my name to this on my social security card / Estefanía (Middle Name: Maiden Lastname) (Husbands Lastname).

My driver's license has this name on it: Estefanía (Middle Name: Maiden Lastname) (Husbands Lastname).

Now USCIS is saying that my passport and birth certificate are listing my given name as Maria Estefanía, OBVIOUSLY because that is my freaking maiden name.

They are asking for evidence that I have LEGALLY REMOVED María and changed my name to Estefania.

Now my questions:

WHAT IS LEGAL EVIDENCE THAT I HAVE DONE THIS?

IS MY SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, DRIVERS LICENSE AND EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENTATION ENOUGH?

How does this work in the US. do you have to go to a court and change your name?

Please advise!

Thank you.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

What is your name on your marriage cert?

[SteffyBrian 2]

They took the maiden name.

It would be Maria Estefania (1st maiden lastname) (2nd maiden lastname)

[Merrytooth 5,748]

I'm not sure about your state marriage cert.

For mine, I have both maiden name and married name (I took my husband's last name) stated.

So that is a legal binding name change.

[Angel012110 19]

They are not talking about your last name they are talking about the first name that you just decided you weren't gonna use anymore. If you name is (Example) Ana Lucia Ramirez Perez (2 maiden names) and Your husband's last name is Garcia then you would be Ana Lucia Garcia, You Cannot Just change Your name to Lucia Garcia. You understand? they thing you dropped your first name.. it has nothing to do with last names and for that they need to see legal papers that you dropped "Maria" from your name as you filled everything out as Estefania Which is NOT you your legal name on your documents. You CANNOT just change first names you can only drop last names. I think you made a mistake.

[va.ma 16]

I have gone through this name change thing and based on my experience I can say that in order to change your name there must be a legal order from the court, you are allowed to change your last name after a divorce or marriage but your first name is a bit different because you did not adopt a different first name you adopted or added to your maiden name your husband's last name. Send me an inbox if you would like more details. I have had two name changed since I became a US citizen I can relate to this issue. ‎

[belinda63 3,047]

The only thing marriage does is allow you to change your last name to your spouse's or keep your last name (maiden name). It does not permit you to change any other part of your name. To legally change your first name you would need to obtain a court order. Usually an easy process, my spouse did it for a few dollars and didn't have to appear in court, just filed a form with the clerk.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Some states do not show your name after marriage, and just show your name at the time you married. Marriage allows you to change your last name, but not your first and in some states not the middle either. You need to file with the court to get a legal name change. The USCIS is saying that your marriage certificate does act as a legal name change document for removing your first name, and they are asking for the legal document that allowed you to do that.

[SteffyBrian 2]

They are not talking about your last name they are talking about the first name that you just decided you weren't gonna use anymore. If you name is (Example) Ana Lucia Ramirez Perez (2 maiden names) and Your husband's last name is Garcia then you would be Ana Lucia Garcia, You Cannot Just change Your name to Lucia Garcia. You understand? they thing you dropped your first name.. it has nothing to do with last names and for that they need to see legal papers that you dropped "Maria" from your name as you filled everything out as Estefania Which is NOT you your legal name on your documents. You CANNOT just change first names you can only drop last names. I think you made a mistake.

I know they are talking about my first name. However I was advised to apply with the name that I wanted printed on my green card.

At the time there was no explanation about first\last names so I just did. (Apply like that)

At this point I just need to find a way to figure everything to do it correctly.

[SteffyBrian 2]

The only thing marriage does is allow you to change your last name to your spouse's or keep your last name (maiden name). It does not permit you to change any other part of your name. To legally change your first name you would need to obtain a court order. Usually an easy process, my spouse did it for a few dollars and didn't have to appear in court, just filed a form with the clerk.

I am going to go to the courthouse today and see what they tell me. As far as I know if jugde grants it, I should be OK.Idk though. I clearly confused some stuff here.

[SteffyBrian 2]

Hello VJ community,

For some background info, please go to this link:http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/491403-heeeelp-name-change-legal-evidence-confusion/

I got married last september to my husband after we went to the K1 visa process.

As a latinamerican, you have like 5 names. For some other culture fellas here, they might not understand the emotional value of a last name and a family name. However in my latinamerican family lastnames are deeply treasured.

This is what happened to me.

I was advised that after I got married - I could change my name with my marriage license, stating that I got married.

I was advised to apply with the name I wanted printed on the green card for the AOS and the EAD.

So I did. My name is Maria Estefania S. C.

My husbands lastname is W.

I was told that women here have the option to adopt their Maiden Lastname as a Middle name and have their husbands lastname too. I wanted to keep my father's last name which is the emotional value of it as a middle name. However the form only allowed me one first name, that is why I only applied like Estefania S. W.

I omitted my Maria.

Applications went through. EAD came with that name, I went to the DMV and SS office to change it to that.

Yesterday I got a letter from the goverment stating that I need to provide legal evidence that I changed my first name to Estefanía instead of María Estefanía.

The system is a little iffy, because If there was something unacceptable or wrong in the process the EAD should have not gone through.

Again, in Virginia you can change your name with your Marriage License - as far as I am adviced to whatever is required. Regardless of First or Lastnames.

I went to the courthouse today and I applied for the legal name change - without the "Maria". If the judge approves my name change with a court order - should that be enough legal evidence?

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Not sure why you needed a new thread with all the same info in it.

Yes, as you were told by several people in your other thread, you need to show the court ordered name change as legal proof of name change.

[rylforever 18]

yes.

[SteffyBrian 2]

Not sure why you needed a new thread with all the same info in it.

Yes, as you were told by several people in your other thread, you need to show the court ordered name change as legal proof of name change.

Hey there, I just like to repeat myself.

....

Thanks for reading though.

I actually did that, because I needed some more clarification. To be honest with you I got so many mixed answers and points of view that I ended up more confused, adding a little bit more of information gives me a clearer sight of what I need to do and some extra clear input is always welcome.

Thanks!

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Okay, but everyone that replied in your other thread has the same answer about not changing first name with marriage license and you need a court order. Saw no mixed answers there.