MARRIED NAME CHANGE WARNING

[BemyAlways1987 0]

****This information was not included in any material we read before submitting our package our AOS, EAD and AP documents****.  If the spouse changes his or her name at marriage, one must include a notarized affidavit stating the change and past names used as well as the marriage certificate.  After the initial review all documents in the package are separated.  Include a copy of the affidavit and marriage license with each of the three submission or you will get a RFE for it which will delay your paperwork. Sooo frustrating that their is no coordination between the reviewers and no clear indication that this will delay your documents. 

[KULtoATL 1,551]

Did you quote that from a RFE or???

 

Your marriage certificate is proof of name change. There's no need for a notarized affidavit. As for other names used, you would have input those in "Other Names Used" column on all forms anyways.

[KULtoATL 1,551]

Now on a lighter note, if you had a formal name change previously back in your home country before you got married, then yes, you'll need your formal name change document. If you have only changed your name after getting married to your K-1 petitioner, the marriage certificate is your proof. Make sense?

[Scandi 3,970]

I added a photocopy of my marriage certificate that shows my name change with all three applications just to be on the safe side. It's definitely not a requirement and many, many people don't send extra copies with all three applications and get approved just fine without getting an RFE or having other issues regarding the name change. Sometimes you just have bad luck and your case might end up with someone that will RFE you for something that another person wouldn't.

[jakartausa 28]

23 minutes ago, BemyAlways1987 said:

****This information was not included in any material we read before submitting our package our AOS, EAD and AP documents****.  If the spouse changes his or her name at marriage, one must include a notarized affidavit stating the change and past names used as well as the marriage certificate.  After the initial review all documents in the package are separated.  Include a copy of the affidavit and marriage license with each of the three submission or you will get a RFE for it which will delay your paperwork. Sooo frustrating that their is no coordination between the reviewers and no clear indication that this will delay your documents. 

This is NOT true! You just need the certified marriage certificate which shows the name change at the bottom. Well that's at least where it is in California marriage certificates. I had an immigration consultant look over my AOS package and I was told this was acceptable and normal. No other proof was necessary or required. 

Edited August 17, 2017 by jakartausa

[Ontarkie 13,898]

~~Moved to AOS from K1&K3, from K1 Visas- As the OP is now married and has applied for AOS.~~

[BemyAlways1987 0]

Yes that was a reply from RFE @KULtoATL

[BemyAlways1987 0]

there is nothing on pur marriage certificate indicating a name change at the time of marriage, we will required by the RFE to provide this. @Jakartausa 

[jakartausa 28]

Then that was the cause of the RFE - you may not/did not have changed it at the time of the filing of the license and then filled out your documents with the married name thus resulting in the RFE. Had you changed at the time of filing and then submitted it with the name change then you would have avoided the RFE.

 

Most states have a section that allows you to change at the time of filing such as California however I did check out UTAH and you would have had to follow this process PRIOR to sending in your AOS

 

Name Change Guidelines

• The first and most important step is to obtain a certified copy of your Marriage license from the county office where your marriage license was issued. One certified copy of your Utah County Marriage License is included in your marriage license fee. Additional certified copies are available for $5.00 for each copy. Once you receive the official copy, you can take it to the following offices for change of name and address..
• The Social Security Office
  J. Will Robinson FOB
  88 West 100 North
  Provo, UT 84601
  866-366-9549
  For more information visit the website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov

Edited August 17, 2017 by jakartausa

[meiliani 10]

I didn't  change my name when we filed AOS. No problem at all. Now waiting for ROC. 

 

Hope this is help...

[jakartausa 28]

31 minutes ago, meiliani said:

I didn't  change my name when we filed AOS. No problem at all. Now waiting for ROC. 

 

Hope this is help...

Yes you are correct, Its not necessary however IF you do change it prior to filing for AOS then you must submit certified proof. Thats all. 

[BemyAlways1987 0]

yes thats right, if i only knew that, then i would have not change my name upon the application of AOS, if that causes me trouble on the application. but since i did, i would have to wait until they will provide my AED...

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Such an affidavit is not required. You are filling out on every form previous names and the name you are applying with. These are signed. The marriage certificate as mentioned is the name change document and you are entitled to start using your married name or choose to change name at any time after getting married. Our marriage certificate  (Texas) only has the maiden name and that is accepted just fine. I have never heard of such an rfe before. Can you please let us know what you sent them and exactly what the rfe says. Sounds like something is either misunderstood or that your IO is new to K1 and spousal AOS.

Edited August 17, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[JGUnion 10]

I am just starting to prepare for the AOS petition and this was my first question, especially since on our marriage certificate there is no indicator of name change. When we went to SS office, the agent was willing to take the marriage certificate of  proof of name change, but the computer wouldn't  let him give us a SS number until we provide AOS documentation first. Anyway, I should use wife's maiden name on I-485 and everything else?

 

[USC1961 251]

3 hours ago, jakartausa said:

Then that was the cause of the RFE - you may not/did not have changed it at the time of the filing of the license and then filled out your documents with the married name thus resulting in the RFE. Had you changed at the time of filing and then submitted it with the name change then you would have avoided the RFE.

 

Most states have a section that allows you to change at the time of filing such as California however I did check out UTAH and you would have had to follow this process PRIOR to sending in your AOS

 

Name Change Guidelines

• The first and most important step is to obtain a certified copy of your Marriage license from the county office where your marriage license was issued. One certified copy of your Utah County Marriage License is included in your marriage license fee. Additional certified copies are available for $5.00 for each copy. Once you receive the official copy, you can take it to the following offices for change of name and address..
• The Social Security Office
  J. Will Robinson FOB
  88 West 100 North
  Provo, UT 84601
  866-366-9549
  For more information visit the website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov

This doesn't mean anything, except it acts as a reminder that you need to file the name change at the SS office. As already been repeated, the Marriage Certificate is proof enough for a legal name change.  Utah isn't special in this regard.  Cheers!

Edited August 17, 2017 by Cruise77