AOS and Change name on SSN after marriage

[Justin Case 3]

Hello everyone! Pardon me if I am posting this in wrong place.

I have some concerns on AOS and SSN:

1. I got my SSN as soon as I got here in U.S., how would I change my name after marriage?

2. On adjustment of status, do we need to send copy of marriage certificate and wedding pics.?

3. Since I didn't had vaccines from my medical back in Dubai, I need to go to the civil surgeon for the vaccination transcript, correct? And I need to do that before filing AOS?

Again, thanks to you all!

Edited October 26, 2015 by Justin Case

[teeak 224]

1) You would just need your marriage certificate. But, a lot of people run into problems when they try to change it before AOS because when they search the system, they'll only find the name you entered the US on. So, it's best to wait until you get the EAD/AP combo card with your married name so they have government ID as proof of it.

What is important is the actual number, not really the name on the card so you don't need to have it changed right away.

2) Yes. I would recommend reading the guide thoroughly. http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

3) Yes, you need to submit everything together.

Edited October 26, 2015 by teeak

[Justin Case 3]

1) You would just need your marriage certificate. But, a lot of people run into problems when they try to change it before AOS because when they search the system, they'll only find the name you entered the US on. So, it's best to wait until you get the EAD/AP combo card with your married name so they have government ID as proof of it.

What is important is the actual number, not really the name on the card so you don't need to have it changed right away.

2) Yes. I would recommend reading the guide thoroughly. http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

3) Yes, you need to submit everything together.

Thank you

[D.Ba 85]

I had a SSN, but no card (lost) when I arrived. Went to the SSA the week after I arrived. Got my card in the mail a week later. Got married, went back with marriage certificate, handed in the brand new card from a week ago. Kept maiden name as middle name, received new physical card a week later.

Totally smooth!

Of course you can change your name immediately after marriage if you already have an SSN. Only if you apply for a new one should you wait until EAD.

@teeak Where does it say pictures for AoS? We are not sending wedding pictures, just the certificate. That's proof enough we're married!

Edited October 26, 2015 by D.Ba

[Justin Case 3]

I had a SSN, but no card (lost) when I arrived. Went to the SSA the week after I arrived. Got my card in the mail a week later. Got married, went back with marriage certificate, handed in the brand new card from a week ago. Kept maiden name as middle name, received new physical card a week later.

Totally smooth!

Of course you can change your name immediately after marriage if you already have an SSN. Only if you apply for a new one should you wait until EAD.

@teeak Where does it say pictures for AoS? We are not sending wedding pictures, just the certificate. That's proof enough we're married!

[teeak 224]

I had a SSN, but no card (lost) when I arrived. Went to the SSA the week after I arrived. Got my card in the mail a week later. Got married, went back with marriage certificate, handed in the brand new card from a week ago. Kept maiden name as middle name, received new physical card a week later.

Totally smooth!

Of course you can change your name immediately after marriage if you already have an SSN. Only if you apply for a new one should you wait until EAD.

@teeak Where does it say pictures for AoS? We are not sending wedding pictures, just the certificate. That's proof enough we're married!

Oops, sorry! The yes was to the marriage certificate part. Didn't realize it was a 2 part question. Lol.

[Justin Case 3]

So we don't need to send any wedding pics.? Just the copy of marriage certificate is good enough? And I can change my last name on SSN anytime w/o EAD? Thank you

[teeak 224]

So we don't need to send any wedding pics.? Just the copy of marriage certificate is good enough? And I can change my last name on SSN anytime w/o EAD? Thank you

Sorry, the yes was to copy of marriage certificate.

If you read the guide, wedding pics aren't necessary.

Copy of marriage certificate is good but, apparently some people get RFEs asking for a certified copy.

Looks like d.ba had a smooth experience but most of the time it depends on each SSA office. You can try and go to the office it see if they will do it but, they may give you a hard time.

[D.Ba 85]

Well really, the name change here is strange to me. Nothing happened at the wedding.

I just told the SSA officer "I want to use my maiden name as middle name" and now I use it at such. But there is nothing really "official". The EAD will only have this name because I told them so in the forms, not because of anything official.

Edited October 26, 2015 by D.Ba

[teeak 224]

Well really, the name change here is strange to me. Nothing happened at the wedding.

I just told the SSA officer "I want to use my maiden name as middle name" and now I use it at such. But there is nothing really "official". The EAD will only have this name because I told them so in the forms, not because of anything official.

Yeah, I think it mostly has to do with the name in the DOS database.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from K1 Progress to Fam.-based AOS Forum~

~Inquiry about AOS-associated process, past K1~

[Dashinka 23,247]

I would save the wedding pictures for the interview if you have one. Also, I would send a certified copy of the marriage certificate. I know some just send a copy, but RFEs are possible with this.

Good Luck!

[Justin Case 3]

I would save the wedding pictures for the interview if you have one. Also, I would send a certified copy of the marriage certificate. I know some just send a copy, but RFEs are possible with this.

Good Luck!

Thank you!

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Copy of marriage certificate is good but, apparently some people get RFEs asking for a certified copy.

Bill & Katya, on 26 Oct 2015 - 4:53 PM, said:

I would save the wedding pictures for the interview if you have one. Also, I would send a certified copy of the marriage certificate. I know some just send a copy, but RFEs are possible with this.

Can you provide links to any of these supposed RFEs for sending only a copy of the certified marriage certificate they receive from the court? I see people state this often, but have never actually seen anyone get an RFE for following the instructions and sending in a copy of their marriage certificate.

Edited October 27, 2015 by KayDeeCee

[Hypnos 6,576]

The I-485 instructions explicitly state that photocopies of original documents are acceptable, and, indeed, if you submit originals then you probably won't get them back.