Jump to content
TimAdri

Name Change Games

 Share

7 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Spain
Timeline

Hello All,

Quick question based on anyone else's experience. My wife and are all nestled in now that she has her GC and life is moving forward. Now we go through the process of adjusting the rest of her identity existence. When we began this process back in March, we were advised by the Lawyer we consulted with, and the document filing agency we used to NOT change her maiden name on the marriage certificate so as not to hold up the USCIS process by having a conflicting name. Looking back on it, I don't really see why that would matter since many women take their husband's last name upon marriage.

That said...we left her maiden name so it would match her passport and USCIS filing documentation. Upon our interview with USCIS, the interviewer asked what name we would like to appear on her GC. We naturally asked to have my last name as it is both our wish to have my last name. This did not seem to be too big of an issue when we went to the Social Security office to update her first Social Security Card from maiden to married as all they cared about was that the GC had her married name.

In the end....should we update the marriage license? Do people actually do that? I guess what I am wondering if we are better off doing that in case we are required to show it, it will match all of her US documentation moving forward.

Thanks!! :)

True Love Knows No Boundaries - The World is a Handkerchief!!
 

Adjusting Status from VWP

Married 3/12/2014

AOS Packet Mailed: 3/21/2014

Signature Received: 3/23/2014

Checks Cashed: 3/26/2014

NOA1 (EAD): 3/29/2014

Biometrics Notification: 4/3/2014 (Scheduled 4/23/2014)

Biometrics Taken: 4/23/2014

EAD Approved: 5/29/2014

EAD Card Received: 5/31/2014

NOA2 (I485): 7/20/2014

USCIS Interview: 8/22/2014

I-485 Approved: 8/22/2014

Conditional GC Received: 9/03/2014

I-751 ROC Petition Filed: 8/03/2016 (Mailed/Certifed)

I-751 ROC Petition Delivery: 8/06/2016 (USPS)

Signature (Stamped) Received: 8/8/2016
Check Cashed: 8/10/2016

I-751 ROC NOA1: 8/12/2016 (Postmarked 8/10/2016)

Biometrics Notification: 8/27/2016 (Scheduled 9/07/2016)

Biometrics Appointment Completed: 9/07/2016

I-797 ROC NOA2 Received: 7/05/2017 ~ Permanent GC Approved!!
Permanent GC Mailed by USCIS: 7/21/2017
Permanent GC Received in Mail: 7/26/2017

Life is Wonderful!!
   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Other Country: Russia
Timeline

My wife kept her maiden name but thought about changing it later. IIRC, It's doesn't get changed on the marriage certificate but it does every where else. Start with SSN and drivers license and work down from there.

I'm not sure if there's a time limit or if it varies by state but. At the time she was inquiring, it was basically the same as a legal name change and it was going to cost a bit. We would have had to file to replace her green card since that was in her maiden name so that was a big part of it.

We were going to look into doing everything later when she naturalized, but by that time she had changed her mind again (or several times - who keeps track), but at any rate she still has her maiden name today. I really think the longer you wait, the more effort it becomes to change everything and at some point it's not worth the effort.

There's no reason to change or not change a maiden name just for USCIS - it doesn't affect things either way. They are used to dealing with it since many people do.

QCjgyJZ.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline

I haven't heard of changing a marriage license either. That document is your legal your name change document, so in my mind it would be best to keep it as is.

First Entered US with TN Status: 04/13/2012
Engaged: 08/24/2012
Married: 08/10/2013

Adjustment of Status from TN Status to Permanent Resident:
Day 00: AOS mailed by USPS priority Post: 05/19/2014
Day 02: AOS package arrived: 05/21/2014
Day 08: Text/email notice of acceptance: 05/27/2014
Day 11: NOAs for I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131 received, 05/30/2014
Day 14: Biometrics notice received with an appointment of June 17, 2914 at 3pm. 06/02/2014
Day 15: attempted walk-in successful after a very long wait 06/03/2014
Day 38: email notice that I-485 has moved to testing & interview! 06/26/2014
Day 77: EAD/AP - card production 08/06/2014
Day 84: EAD/AP card received 08/13/2014
Day 129: Infopass appointment for an update (very helpful!) 09/24/2014
Day 136: Email received with interview date 10/01/2014
Day 138: Interview notice received! 10/03/2014
Day 170: Green Card Approved on the Spot! 11/04/2014
Day 178: Green Card Received 11/12/2014

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS:

Day 00: ROC Package (Weighing 1.7kg -- 3lbs 13oz) mailed by USPS Priority Post: 09/13/2016

Day 03: ROC Package Received: 09/16/2016

Day 07: Check Cashed: 09/20/2016

Day Too many to count: Received Approval 02/05/2018

NATURALIZATION

Day 00: Submitted file online for N400 -- 07/31/2020

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Spain
Timeline

Thanks for everyone's responses

She kept her maiden name on the Marriage License as we were advised not for her to inscribe her married name (taking my last name) in order to avoid slowing down any USCIS process since all of her official documentation was drawn up in her maiden name and her passport as well...

When we were approved at our USCIS interview, the agent asked what name we would like on her Green Card, and so we had them inscribe the married name. We have already had the Social Security Card changed accordingly as the first one had her maiden name (We obtained the first one immediately after she get her EAD Card)....Anything else moving forward will be in her married name, and we are contacting the Spanish Consulate to have a "marriage endorsement" stamped into her passport as they do not change her name officially on her passport.

I don't think the marriage license really has much impact on anything moving forward...but we intend on getting Drivers' License, Bank Statements, Health Benefits, etc, etc, etc in her married/taken name....Only the passport and marriage license will remain as only documents with her maiden name. :)

True Love Knows No Boundaries - The World is a Handkerchief!!
 

Adjusting Status from VWP

Married 3/12/2014

AOS Packet Mailed: 3/21/2014

Signature Received: 3/23/2014

Checks Cashed: 3/26/2014

NOA1 (EAD): 3/29/2014

Biometrics Notification: 4/3/2014 (Scheduled 4/23/2014)

Biometrics Taken: 4/23/2014

EAD Approved: 5/29/2014

EAD Card Received: 5/31/2014

NOA2 (I485): 7/20/2014

USCIS Interview: 8/22/2014

I-485 Approved: 8/22/2014

Conditional GC Received: 9/03/2014

I-751 ROC Petition Filed: 8/03/2016 (Mailed/Certifed)

I-751 ROC Petition Delivery: 8/06/2016 (USPS)

Signature (Stamped) Received: 8/8/2016
Check Cashed: 8/10/2016

I-751 ROC NOA1: 8/12/2016 (Postmarked 8/10/2016)

Biometrics Notification: 8/27/2016 (Scheduled 9/07/2016)

Biometrics Appointment Completed: 9/07/2016

I-797 ROC NOA2 Received: 7/05/2017 ~ Permanent GC Approved!!
Permanent GC Mailed by USCIS: 7/21/2017
Permanent GC Received in Mail: 7/26/2017

Life is Wonderful!!
   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline

Thanks for everyone's responses

She kept her maiden name on the Marriage License as we were advised not for her to inscribe her married name (taking my last name) in order to avoid slowing down any USCIS process since all of her official documentation was drawn up in her maiden name and her passport as well...

When we were approved at our USCIS interview, the agent asked what name we would like on her Green Card, and so we had them inscribe the married name. We have already had the Social Security Card changed accordingly as the first one had her maiden name (We obtained the first one immediately after she get her EAD Card)....Anything else moving forward will be in her married name, and we are contacting the Spanish Consulate to have a "marriage endorsement" stamped into her passport as they do not change her name officially on her passport.

I don't think the marriage license really has much impact on anything moving forward...but we intend on getting Drivers' License, Bank Statements, Health Benefits, etc, etc, etc in her married/taken name....Only the passport and marriage license will remain as only documents with her maiden name. :)

When I renewed my Canadian passport, I used my marriage certificate to update that document to my married name.

First Entered US with TN Status: 04/13/2012
Engaged: 08/24/2012
Married: 08/10/2013

Adjustment of Status from TN Status to Permanent Resident:
Day 00: AOS mailed by USPS priority Post: 05/19/2014
Day 02: AOS package arrived: 05/21/2014
Day 08: Text/email notice of acceptance: 05/27/2014
Day 11: NOAs for I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131 received, 05/30/2014
Day 14: Biometrics notice received with an appointment of June 17, 2914 at 3pm. 06/02/2014
Day 15: attempted walk-in successful after a very long wait 06/03/2014
Day 38: email notice that I-485 has moved to testing & interview! 06/26/2014
Day 77: EAD/AP - card production 08/06/2014
Day 84: EAD/AP card received 08/13/2014
Day 129: Infopass appointment for an update (very helpful!) 09/24/2014
Day 136: Email received with interview date 10/01/2014
Day 138: Interview notice received! 10/03/2014
Day 170: Green Card Approved on the Spot! 11/04/2014
Day 178: Green Card Received 11/12/2014

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS:

Day 00: ROC Package (Weighing 1.7kg -- 3lbs 13oz) mailed by USPS Priority Post: 09/13/2016

Day 03: ROC Package Received: 09/16/2016

Day 07: Check Cashed: 09/20/2016

Day Too many to count: Received Approval 02/05/2018

NATURALIZATION

Day 00: Submitted file online for N400 -- 07/31/2020

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Spain
Timeline

When I renewed my Canadian passport, I used my marriage certificate to update that document to my married name.

CdnRN....We spoke this morning with the Spanish Consulate and there is no need for her to change the passport name. I suppose it could be updated when she needs to renew in 10 years. They simply stated that we should travel internationally with her passport as it is, and buy the ticket in her passport name, and to bring along a copy of the marriage certificate (as it has my name on it also), and her GC....I don't think we will experience any issues.

We just need to work on the "At Home" kinda stuff....Driver's License and other things that identify her accordingly as a resident in the US and reflects what is on the GC (Married Name)

The only thing we need to do with the Consulate is to get her "Libro de Familia" updated to reflect that we are married so the Spanish Govt. will officially recognize it should we ever decide to move/retire to Spain. :)

True Love Knows No Boundaries - The World is a Handkerchief!!
 

Adjusting Status from VWP

Married 3/12/2014

AOS Packet Mailed: 3/21/2014

Signature Received: 3/23/2014

Checks Cashed: 3/26/2014

NOA1 (EAD): 3/29/2014

Biometrics Notification: 4/3/2014 (Scheduled 4/23/2014)

Biometrics Taken: 4/23/2014

EAD Approved: 5/29/2014

EAD Card Received: 5/31/2014

NOA2 (I485): 7/20/2014

USCIS Interview: 8/22/2014

I-485 Approved: 8/22/2014

Conditional GC Received: 9/03/2014

I-751 ROC Petition Filed: 8/03/2016 (Mailed/Certifed)

I-751 ROC Petition Delivery: 8/06/2016 (USPS)

Signature (Stamped) Received: 8/8/2016
Check Cashed: 8/10/2016

I-751 ROC NOA1: 8/12/2016 (Postmarked 8/10/2016)

Biometrics Notification: 8/27/2016 (Scheduled 9/07/2016)

Biometrics Appointment Completed: 9/07/2016

I-797 ROC NOA2 Received: 7/05/2017 ~ Permanent GC Approved!!
Permanent GC Mailed by USCIS: 7/21/2017
Permanent GC Received in Mail: 7/26/2017

Life is Wonderful!!
   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
“;}
×
×
  • Create New...