Last Name on the AOS Application

[shayden10 78]

Hey fellow filers!

I am currently going through the K-1 Visa process but I am kind of getting a handle on what to do after I get this visa.

Once we get married I understand I apply for a SSN using my maiden name not long after the marriage, and then apply for the AOS and EAD. I have read a couple of threads regarding this but I am still confused! I am taking my fiance's last name after we marry - when applying for the AOS can I put my new last name on the form? What documents can I submit supporting that I am taking his last name? The reason this confuses me is because I will legally have to change my last name in Canada, my home country, but I can't go home until I get the green card or Advance Parole, so can I do the green card in my new last name and make all of the final changes in Canada?

So confused!

[Ryan H 3,790]

Once you marry, apply for everything (including SSN) using your married name. The marriage certificate is all you need as proof.

[shayden10 78]

Once you marry, apply for everything (including SSN) using your married name. The marriage certificate is all you need as proof.

THANK YOU!!!

So many people make that response so much more complicated

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

You can apply for the SSN as soon as you enter with the K-1. No waiting. No need to be married first. Apply in maiden name. Go back and change it after married. You may have to wait until you receive your EAD/AP in married name in order to change it on the SSN. Many SSA workers have no clue what their own policies, are and people have a hassle and long wait times when trying to get the SSN in married name while the maiden name is still in the system for the visa/immigration. Some lucky ones have been able to get the SSN in married name right after marriage with just the marriage certificate, but from the posts here on VJ, it appears the majority are not lucky like that.

Use married name on all AOS forms.

Edited September 20, 2016 by KayDeeCee

[shayden10 78]

You can apply for the SSN as soon as you enter with the K-1. No waiting. No need to be married first. Apply in maiden name. Go back and change it after married. You may have to wait until you receive your EAD/AP in married name in order to change it on the SSN. Many SSA workers have no clue what their own policies, are and people have a hassle and long wait times when trying to get the SSN in married name while the maiden name is still in the system for the visa/immigration. Some lucky ones have been able to get the SSN in married name right after marriage with just the marriage certificate, but from the posts here on VJ, it appears the majority are not lucky like that.

Use married name on all AOS forms.

Perfect, thank you! That definitely makes things a lot clearer!

[PickleChips 56]

Just wondering what you mean by you "have to legally change your last name in Canada"? Your marriage certificate is your legal name change. Therefore, the day you get married, you can start using your new last name. I recommend doing so on all your forms otherwise your LPR card comes in your maiden name. It's a hassle to change.

Also, I am one of the ones that applied for SSN before marriage and went back after marriage (but before EAD) to change to my married name. No problems whatsoever. However, I did print off the rules from their own website and bring it with me in case of their incompetence!

Good luck!

[shayden10 78]

Just wondering what you mean by you "have to legally change your last name in Canada"? Your marriage certificate is your legal name change. Therefore, the day you get married, you can start using your new last name. I recommend doing so on all your forms otherwise your LPR card comes in your maiden name. It's a hassle to change.

Also, I am one of the ones that applied for SSN before marriage and went back after marriage (but before EAD) to change to my married name. No problems whatsoever. However, I did print off the rules from their own website and bring it with me in case of their incompetence!

Good luck!

To legally change my name in Ontario I will have to go to one of their offices in Canada and show them ID and my marriage certificate to have all of my Canadian information changed. I can do this from the US but for my passport, for example, I need a Guarantor to sign off on all of my paperwork to get it updated. It may be possible to get it done while abroad but it will be a hassle, when I can just drive home for a couple days, visit family, and legally change my name while I am there.

I don't know if the US is different, but in Canada when you get married you can assume your spouses last name after marriage on some documents, but there is a process to legally have it changed. So technically, by putting my name on those forms without going through the name change process, I am assuming my husbands last name until I come home and update my information here. That is why I didn't know if it would be an issue to put an assumed last name on a legal document, but like I said it could be different in the States!

Edited September 20, 2016 by shayden10

[PickleChips 56]

I've been married in Canada and the US and there was no issue with legally changing my name. You just start going by your new last name in both countries. As far as Revenue Canada, Service Canada, etc, I called them from the US and told them my new info, no paperwork necessary.

You don't have to change your passport name, just carry your marriage certificate with you when you travel. I have personally done it. Just a side note, you will be paying for a whole new passport, not just a name change. A lot of people wait until their passport is up for renewal to save the fees, it's up to you though.

If there is some sort of Ontario requirement, then that is different, I moved from BC so, again, it may be different.

The transition really is pretty smooth. I thought it was going to be a hassle but I haven't had to go back to Canada to do anything.

PM me if you have any questions, I just did all this last year.

[shayden10 78]

I've been married in Canada and the US and there was no issue with legally changing my name. You just start going by your new last name in both countries. As far as Revenue Canada, Service Canada, etc, I called them from the US and told them my new info, no paperwork necessary.

You don't have to change your passport name, just carry your marriage certificate with you when you travel. I have personally done it. Just a side note, you will be paying for a whole new passport, not just a name change. A lot of people wait until their passport is up for renewal to save the fees, it's up to you though.

If there is some sort of Ontario requirement, then that is different, I moved from BC so, again, it may be different.

The transition really is pretty smooth. I thought it was going to be a hassle but I haven't had to go back to Canada to do anything.

PM me if you have any questions, I just did all this last year.

Okay thank you for the information. I asked a local Service Ontario office about the name change process and they told me I would have to return and show ID.

The last time I renewed my passport I got a 5yr one knowing I would be getting married and changing my last name, so it's coming up for renewal in the next two years, at which point I will just get a new one!

Thanks for the help I will PM if I have more questions!