Married name

[Haroon&Sophia 0]

I got married on June 13th, and am ready to file AOS, but I want to change my name first. How do I do that?

I used my maiden name to sign the marriage license, I didn't realize that was a way to officially change my name.

So how do I proceed now? I went to Secretary of State, they said I need to change my name of my social security card first (I have a ss # since I have studied/worked in the US years ago), then I went to Social Security office and they told me since I am not a permanent resident, they cannot do anything.

So what now? Shall I just fill out all the AOS form with my husband's name although I have not taken any actions to change it? How do I change it?

Shall I just give up and file with my maiden name

Heeeelllllpppp

Thanks!!!!

[Dan and Ali 3]

I signed my maiden name on my marriage license and signed all the AOS papers in my married name. When I went to get my SSN, I simply brought my marriage certificate with me and my SSN is in my married name.

This question has been asked a few different times in different ways and the long and short of it is that it doesn't seem to matter too much ... if you want your green card in your married name make sure you fill out the documents that way.

Good luck!

[arya 22]

Yes, fill out all the AOS documents in your married name. You probably won't be able to change your name on your SSN card until you get your green card. I've had the same problems with my SSN card, they will not change my name until I get my green card which should be next week. Good luck

[alex and astrid 38]

Depending on what state you are from, some marriage licences/certificates already have the provision for a name change. For example, I got married in California, and when we applied for the marriage licence, there was a question asking the both of us what our names would be after the marriage took place. I just wrote that I would have my husband's surname, and the signed the form with my maiden name. Once we got the actual marriage certificate (a week after the wedding), we filed for my AOS in my new married name, and went and changed my name with social security.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

As stated, first find out what your state requirements are for a name change after marriage using the marriage certificate. For Iowa i needed to sign the certificate in my married name, and my maiden AND married names were listed.

If your state is fine as you've completed your certificate you will only need to complete the AOS paperwork using your married name. You may need to wait (like I have) to get the rest of your things changed over. I DID change my bank account name by showing the marriage certificate so I've at least had practice signing my married name The drivers licence (which I needed to wait for EAD or GC to even GET) and the SSN needed to wait until I got the EAD or GC as well.

Good luck.

**Edit - undid move

Edited July 9, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony