Changing Last Name Before Filing AOS

[Acecard 0]

Hi Everyone! I have been here in the US for 3 weeks now, got married and all and now we are filing for AOS. On teh G-325 A, biographic information, I am quite confused with the family name. Since I married my husband, I assumed his last name and so my records indicate my husband's lsat name. However, we are not sure if we have to go somewhere to have it officially changed or something. I am thinking that since our marriage, I have the right to choose whatever last name I want and use that from then on. So I have used that to register for school and for SS application. Could anyone please advise if I have to do anything special to have my last name officially changed? And second thing, can I use my husband's last name on the G-325A form? Thank you all in advance!

[Joanna&Bobby 3]

Hi Everyone! I have been here in the US for 3 weeks now, got married and all and now we are filing for AOS. On teh G-325 A, biographic information, I am quite confused with the family name. Since I married my husband, I assumed his last name and so my records indicate my husband's lsat name. However, we are not sure if we have to go somewhere to have it officially changed or something. I am thinking that since our marriage, I have the right to choose whatever last name I want and use that from then on. So I have used that to register for school and for SS application. Could anyone please advise if I have to do anything special to have my last name officially changed? And second thing, can I use my husband's last name on the G-325A form? Thank you all in advance!

I have seen that question a couple of times already and I have also asked it on vj before filing for AOS. You can put your husbands name on your G-325(and other forms) if you wish to carry his last name. That's what I have done, so far I have received NOA1s and biometrics appointment. It's fun to watch mail come adressed to your new last name!

Edited July 14, 2008 by Joanna&Bobby

[YuAndDan 153]

Depends on state, most have legal name change as part of the marriage certificate.

What does your marriage cert show as your married name?

You fill out G-325A, I-485, and I-765 using name that you wish to go by, there are places "Other names used" and "Name on I-94" where you will indicate maiden name.

[mariapoe 0]

What is in your marriage license? They had to ask you if you wanted to keep your maien name or to take your husband's last name? I don't think you can use any name you want though, you have to use only one of those. So, if when applyting for the marriage licnese you chose to change your name, it's already there and you don't have to go anywhere but just use it.

In my G-325A I used my new last name. When they ask any other name you used before, there you put your maiden name. Good luck !

Edited July 14, 2008 by mariapoe

[Acecard 0]

What is in your marriage license? They had to ask you if you wanted to keep your maien name or to take your husband's last name? I don't think you can use any name you want though, you have to use only one of those. So, if when applyting for the marriage licnese you chose to change your name, it's already there and you don't have to go anywhere but just use it.

In my G-325A I used my new last name. When they ask any other name you used before, there you put your maiden name. Good luck !

My Marriage license indicates my maiden name. There was no place to put in what name I want. When we were filling out the mariage license form online they just asked Pary A's personal data and party B's personal data. When we got married, the officiating person did not ask for that. She just said that we should pay for $13 to the county clerk if we want to get a certifiied copy of our marriage. We asked where to change names and she just said I can assume the name of my husband right away.

By the way for YuandDan, we are in California. Thanks all for your answers, I will wait to see if I can legally use his last name already. This has been confusing and you guys are all great.I do not feel so lost. =)

[Cécy 44]

I wasn't asked what name I wanted either with the marriage certificate, it just has our maiden names.

I was planning on using his last name so that's what I filed AOS with and just put my maiden name under the other names section.

To change it I had to wait for my EAD but then I went to the Social security and had them updated my information on the card (I already had one), all I had to bring was my passeport, old SS card, marriage license and EAD.

When that was done I went to the DMV and they were able to change it on my DL.

[walls1010 3]

I used his last name after we got married....no question about it even getting a ssn by showing our marriage certificate.

[T.O_2_FL 0]

Just had a copy of my marriage certificate with me to change things like SSN, bank account, credit cards, etc.

Can't change my driver's license to the married name until I have the Resident Card with my married name showing on it.

Agree on what everyone says about filling out the AOS forms. I wrote my married name on the first line and then entered my maiden name on the other name line. We'll see if mine come in my married name.

[Precious 2]

This is good info, thank you all! I'm about to start filling out the forms, and on my marriage certificate there was also no indication for a name change.

About the SS card: after getting married, I went to the Brazilian Consulate to get my marriage registered and the name changed in my passport. They stamped my new married named " due to marriage the name has changed to...". So I told the SS officer my name was changed, but he said that it was better to get my SS card on my current maiden name and then have it changed later. He was nice, but never wanted to see my marriage certificate or the page on my passport with the name changed. I guess I will have to make a second trip down there to have it changed afterwards.

[Eric-Pris 1,602]

This is one of those things that varies by state. In NY, when applying for the marriage license, we were asked what name she will use. And our marriage certificate clearly shows the name change. It lists her maiden name and new surname right below it.

For example:

Name: Maria Smith

New Surname: Jones

Edited July 15, 2008 by kid brooklyn

[Acecard 0]

Thank you very much for all your responses. It was great learning from people who have actually been there. Info like name change and all are not clearly stated on the USCIS website...

I have gone ahead and put m husband's last name on all my AOS forms. I am still waiting for the county registrar to mail in our certified copy of marriage. Last time I went to SS office with my mother in law, they said I needed that. It has been more than a week and I am still waiting....guess I have to be patient. I am also trying to set up an appointment for medical exam. I read that I only need to have the vaccine supplement since I've already done it the whole medical in Manila. Hope that it will go well! Wish me luck you guys and thanks again. =)