Marriage and Name Change

[k1CsUser 0]

Hi All.

So my fiancee and I got married yesterday. She would like to assume my last name, but we are confused. We live in the State of Washington, and it appears from reading some stuff that name changes are not required by law? How is this possible? In what name do we now get the ID + SS cards for her? What about all the AoS related paperwork - shall we use her maiden name for "family name" or now my last name and include the maiden name under "known by other names"??

Please help. Thanks.

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

Well, I used my married name on my AOS application and also used it on my SS Card application and everything was fine. There was no process for changing my name here in MA, other than a box on the marriage certificate that indicated which name I intended to use after marriage.

I still used my Canadian ID with my maiden name for things like getting a bank account and driver's license, SS Card and just showed them my marriage certificate to verify the name change.

Edited May 21, 2009 by jane2009

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

If she wants to go by your last name, then that's what she applies for AOS, SS number, driver's license, etc.

She can use her current middle name or let her maiden name be her "new" middle name.

Example: Mary Ann Parker marries Joe Jones

She can be Mary Ann Jones or Mary Parker Jones. She could even keep her maiden name if she wanted too. Just make a choice and do it the same on everything. On AOS apply in new name and use old name as other names you have gone by.

Edited May 21, 2009 by Nich-Nick

[spartan 2]

Hi All.

So my fiancee and I got married yesterday. She would like to assume my last name, but we are confused. We live in the State of Washington, and it appears from reading some stuff that name changes are not required by law? How is this possible? In what name do we now get the ID + SS cards for her? What about all the AoS related paperwork - shall we use her maiden name for "family name" or now my last name and include the maiden name under "known by other names"??

Please help. Thanks.

IF she wants to use your last name. All she needs to do is use your last name in all forms of AOS in that way her EAD Card and Green Card will have your last name. SSN is not needed in filing AOS, so it is fine even if you will not get it yet. Congratulation on your wedding.

[vip1 8]

I actually want to keep my name, and i filled all my applications with my maiden name, is that going to affect my petition in any way? Thanks

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi All.

So my fiancee and I got married yesterday. She would like to assume my last name, but we are confused. We live in the State of Washington, and it appears from reading some stuff that name changes are not required by law? How is this possible? In what name do we now get the ID + SS cards for her? What about all the AoS related paperwork - shall we use her maiden name for "family name" or now my last name and include the maiden name under "known by other names"??

Please help. Thanks.

Name changes are not required by law in any state. It is her option. If she chooses to change her name, file for the AOS in her married name. Save yourself some headaches...if she wants an SSN before she gets her green card, file for it in her maiden name (you must do this before 2 weeks before her I-94 expires) then change the name with SS AFTER you get her green card.

Yes, include her maiden name in "other names" on the I-485

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I actually want to keep my name, and i filled all my applications with my maiden name, is that going to affect my petition in any way? Thanks

No. In the Russian tradition, my wife kept her "patrynomic" name (father's first name with the appropriate feminine suffix) as she has all her life. No problems.