SSA name change during ROC

[Amhara 460]

Hello everyone,

 

Has anyone come across this:

My husband changed his name legally right before his CGC was issued.  We went with the name on the GC as he could legally use it (my last name) after his name change.  Now we filed ROC and included the name change documents and the NOA came in his correct name.

 

Will the ROC NOA be sufficient to change his name on his SSA card?  The ROC won’t get processed until April 2019 and we hope he will be USC by then!

 

Any input is appreciated!

[Amhara 460]

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212001

 

 

[Going through 5,668]

15 minutes ago, Amhara said:

My husband changed his name legally right before his CGC was issued.  We went with the name on the GC as he could legally use it (my last name) after his name change.  Now we filed ROC and included the name change documents

I'm not understanding something here---if you are already in possession of legal name change documents, why not just use those to update the SSA card?  Are you saying you sent in the original name change documents with your ROC instead of a photocopy?

 

 

[Amhara 460]

29 minutes ago, Going through said:

I'm not understanding something here---if you are already in possession of legal name change documents, why not just use those to update the SSA card?  Are you saying you sent in the original name change documents with your ROC instead of a photocopy?

Oh, good heavens no!  We sent copies only.

 

When we changed his name through the courts, the USCIS approved his CGC later that week.  We tried to use his name change document to change his name with SSA, but they would only match the GC, not the court document.

 

The SSA rep said they would have accepted it, but his immigration document is different and they would only go with that.  But I see they accept the NOA if it’s extending his GC.  Hmmm...

[Villanelle 4,121]

Honestly I dont know the answer to this.. You should probably just go to SSA and try to change it. The issue is (like the previous rep told you) they have to verify with USCIS. I dont know if their (USCIS) system updates when they issue the NOA or if it updates when the new GC is issued. Your issue although different is similar to those who get divorced and are using the divorce waiver to ROC and the decree to change their name back. Im not sure if they have to wait for the new GC to change at SSA or if the NOA is sufficient. You can search for threads about that and maybe find the answer but its easier if you just go to SSA and try.

 

 

[payxibka 10,044]

4 hours ago, Amhara said:

Oh, good heavens no!  We sent copies only.

 

When we changed his name through the courts, the USCIS approved his CGC later that week.  We tried to use his name change document to change his name with SSA, but they would only match the GC, not the court document.

 

The SSA rep said they would have accepted it, but his immigration document is different and they would only go with that.  But I see they accept the NOA if it’s extending his GC.  Hmmm...

NOA1 is not an approved ROC.  You will need to wait until the new GC is issued

 

NOTE: All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. The Social Security Administration will not accept photocopies, notarized copies of documents, nor receipts showing that you have applied for the document, i.e. USCIS-issued receipt notices (Form I-797C).

[Gorkhali 213]

to be very honest, i don't understand why people change the name and create more paperwork.  I don't see any benefit. 

 

[Amhara 460]

3 hours ago, payxibka said:

NOA1 is not an approved ROC.  You will need to wait until the new GC is issued

 

NOTE: All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. The Social Security Administration will not accept photocopies, notarized copies of documents, nor receipts showing that you have applied for the document, i.e. USCIS-issued receipt notices (Form I-797C).

I came across that, too, but another section says that if the GC is expired, the NOA can be used to show that the residency is extended.  It specifically said applicants cannot use the NOA without the GC, but only in conjunction with the GC.

[payxibka 10,044]

1 minute ago, Amhara said:

I came across that, too, but another section says that if the GC is expired, the NOA can be used to show that the residency is extended.  It specifically said applicants cannot use the NOA without the GC, but only in conjunction with the GC.

That is the OPs situation.  They wanted to know if the I-797 was good enough to stand alone.  It does not.

[Amhara 460]

1 hour ago, Gorkhali said:

to be very honest, i don't understand why people change the name and create more paperwork.  I don't see any benefit. 

I will spare you the horrific details of our name change process, but my husband only had one name in Afghanistan.  Afghans today give themselves a surname (especially on social media) but it’s not official.  So most Afghans walk around with the same first name: FNU.  First Name Unavailable.  Rather undesirable!  Lol!

 

I will spare the details of using my last name with his, then the court name change and the immigration process in play - it was one big debacle!!

[Amhara 460]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

That is the OPs situation.  They wanted to know if the I-797 was good enough to stand alone.  It does not.

I am the OP.  😊  I am not wanting to use the NOA by itself, but take the name change documents, GC, and ROC NOA and ask the SSA agent to please change his name in their system.

 

 I think we will just need to try and see.  I can’t find anything to fit this situation in the SSA manual that would allow nor deny the request.  But at least the NOA has his correct name per the court order.  Just don’t think anything will be in SAVE yet?

[Villanelle 4,121]

Yes, just try and see. Sometimes people get notifications (if you signed up for them) that say 'your name has been updated' or something like that when the file is touched. Thats what you are looking for. USCIS to change the name in SAVE. It can happen anytime in the process. It may have been done when the NOA was issued, it might not have. 100% it will be updated when the new GC is issued but fingers crossed they update it sooner.