Name change after filing AoS

[astromoose 0]

My wife and I are married now, and we're about to file the Adjustment of Status. She would like to take my last name. She has a social security number for her maiden name. What name should we file under for the AOS?

However, there might be some difficulty changing her name right now because of Belgian regulations. How easy or hard is it for her to change her name after we have already filed the AOS, while? What would that process be?

[sjoefl01 1]

I don't think that Belgian regulations apply here.

The name you use on the forms for AOS will be your wifes name. This will come on the I 797, EAD and eventually her green card. These documents are the basis for your wife's identity in the US.

I can't imagine how much of a pain it would be to change that name later. If she wants your last name this is her opportunity to do it easily.

Just use the name that she wants on the forms.

[Craig2006 0]

I would file for your AOS under the name that she wants to use after your marriage (in this case, your last name). Your marriage certificate will tie the two names together. I just think that it would be very difficult to do a name change once a GC has been issued.

[motu 5]

There is one more time when the name change is automatic or free - that is when she applied for citizenship. I have seen many Chinese/Koreans do that. I would also think that she can change her name when she applies for her permanent green card in 2 years time. But, why not do it now? If she didn't put it on the I485, you can still ask the interviewer to change the name (that way the green card wil be in the married name.) Good Luck

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

I Was told that I should change my name with SS before I apply. I know I did that right after we married so I wouldn't have any problem. But I don't know what your exact situation is. But it might be a lot easier to change it now then later. Good luck!

[I'm Gone 60]

If she will be using the married name as her legal name fill out the I-485 and I-765 with her married name. She will be adjusting form K-1 and will be including a copy of the marriage certificate. They will figure it out.

Once she has her EAD card, take that and her marriage certificate to SSA to have the name changed on her SSN record and be issued a correct card. However, if the marriage certificate doesn't have her age or date of birth she will also need an identity document in the name that currently appears on her SSN record.

You can find detailed information regarding changing SSN record (Numident) data on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

You can find detailed information regarding evidence that establishes identity on the SSA Website at:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203200

There is one more time when the name change is automatic or free - that is when she applied for citizenship. I have seen many Chinese/Koreans do that. I would also think that she can change her name when she applies for her permanent green card in 2 years time. But, why not do it now? If she didn't put it on the I485, you can still ask the interviewer to change the name (that way the green card wil be in the married name.)

With the AOS she IS applying for her green card. The fact that it's good for 2 year instead of 10 makes it no less of a greencard. You can do a legal name change when submitting the N-400, but she has already had a legal name change, she got married. Every state allows a woman to change her last name to her husband's last name when they marry.