Does anyone have advice on changing my wife’s last name to her married name? When I submitted the I-130 form we made sure we filled out everything to match all her documents. We want to use her new last name but we don’t want to make any mistakes with any forms.

I should be careful when hitting the "enter" key



Is your wife here in the US? There would be 2 different answers to your question depending on the answer.

If so, what kind of immigration status does she have? If she does have a social security number, or at least a Tax ID number, you can go to the SSA located off of Central Expressway and Royal Lane to submit a copy of your marriage certificate and have her name legally changed here. I would call them first to see exactly what other supporting documents they would need.

If she is not here yet, then I am really not sure how to do this...I would think she would have to wait until she is here and is given a SS#, etc. Maybe someone else has had to deal with this and will pipe in.

I do know one thing, I wouldn't want to do anything to cause a delay in processing my case. I am happy that I am the USC and I took his last name...not the other way around. I filed to change my name with the SSA office here in Dallas, I was told it would take about 4 weeks to get my new SS card because our marriage certificate is in another language. That was 4 weeks ago, and I'm still waiting for that to come in the mail.

~Kiyah~

Name change was okay for me but I am the US citzen. Just remember that your offical wedding certificate will have her madien name on it. I haven't switched anything yet and filed with my marry name. I am not really sure in your case.

Gaby&Talbert,

Well, you've missed your first opportunity. If you and your wife want her to be known by your surname you should have submitted the I-130 petition using your surname.

Your next opportunity will be with your next submission, whatever that will be. Presumable an I-129f petition since you are posting in the K3 forum?

Yodrak

I will put on the cover letter with the I-129 that we want to change her name to my last name and hopefully get is changed during the processes.

Gaby&Talbert,

You're petitioning for an alien worker? I thought you were asking about your spouse.

Yodrak

We are starting the process for a K-3 visa. My wife and I are filling out the I-130 and G-325A. Since we are already married should her family name on the G-325A be shown as my last name? Since she does have a new id in Philippines with my last name already. Then just list her maiden name in the other names?? That is what I am having her do later today when we fill these out. Can someone tell me is that correct? I appreciate any info anyone can give on this. I have searched this site which has a great deal of good information. But could not find a clear answer to this. Thanks, Jeff

If she wants to be using your surname, and apparently she does since she's changed her national ID card, then there's no reason for her to use a name for immigration purposes that she is no longer using.

I filled out my I-130 as you are suggesting, and my wife had not changed her name on her national ID, passport, or anything else in her home country. (She still hasn't and does not intend to.)

Yodrak