Changing Last Name

[freshka 0]

MY wife and I were married in South Korea and they do not usually change their last name but when we move back to the states we plan to change her last name to mine. Obviously when we fill out the petition and all other supporting documents we will use her maiden name but has anyone changed their last name when they have completed the process in the states? Also our son's Consular Birth certificate has her maiden name on it do we need to notify the change to them? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

[Ryan H 3,790]

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion.***

**Moderator hat off**

If your wife wants to use her married name on her green card, it may be less hassle to simply change the name on her passport before beginning the process.

If you wait until the green card is issued, then you will have to file an I-90 and pay a fee of $450 to have it reissued in her married name. If you didn't want to pay that fee but you will need to remove conditions (only applicable if you have been married for less than two years on the day she enters the US) then you can fill out paperwork with her married name and include a document showing a legal name change to have the unconditional green card be issued with her married name. The only other opportunity to change her name free of charge is the Naturalization process.

The CRBA would not need to be amended.