Name change and marriage??

[keysjangle 145]

If I get married do I have to immediately take my husband's last name, or can I wait to do that?

I've been pondering this and figured I'd ask actual married people

Edited November 25, 2010 by Gervl

[Nagishkaw 510]

Topic moved from Off Topic to Moving Here and Your New Life in America.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/15-moving-here-and-your-new-life-in-america/

[keysjangle 145]

I suppose I can clarify - I know in Toronto, Ontario I can take his name without legally changing all my information, but if we get married in Florida.. well, I can't find out if:

1) I have to legally change my name when married in Florida

2) How they treat a non-American spouse in regards to name change whatsoever

Edited November 25, 2010 by Gervl

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I suppose I can clarify - I know in Toronto, Ontario I can take his name without legally changing all my information, but if we get married in Florida.. well, I can't find out if:

1) I have to legally change my name when married in Florida

2) How they treat a non-American spouse in regards to name change whatsoever

When you change your name is up to you.

See your name is already legally changed IF you want it, but there is no proof of that change until you start changing your information. You can start calling yourself "Mrs X" but until you actually change stuff, technically when someone (like a police officer for instance) asks your your name, you would go by your ID. You could say "I'm Mrs. X" but then when he asks for ID you have nothing. I'm sure the same is in Toronto. While YOU know you've changed your name, until you're able to prove the change, technically you're two people.

Take me for instance, in Australia when I went back to visit I had to remember I was Miss Maiden-name because none of my ID was changed. Once i changed it all I felt MUCH better and was able to continue calling myself Mrs. Married. In fact, although I referred to myself as Mrs. right after i was married, I still had to remember I was Maiden until I changed my ID.. and without a US licence I was using my Aussie which was still in maiden.. it got very confusing :S

[keysjangle 145]

Going by my maiden name would be easiest I think until I was ready to make my final move to Florida. I'd have to change it all in Canada before leaving then once I get to Florida

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You can keep your maiden name forever if you wish. If you prefer to have husband's last name, apply for AOS with your new last name because it costs $350ish to change the green card later. Use your marriage certificate to prove any difference in married and maiden name until you get everything needed changed. That would be for travel with your Canadian passport and a greencard with different last names, for example. When your passport is about to expire, get it in your new last name. It doesn't all have to happen at once. The married license will be the "link" between the two names. Airlines and airport security accept that as proof.

Not sure why you think it has to be changed in Canada before moving. Is that before the marriage too?

[keysjangle 145]

Okay. So. I'll try to better explain myself haha.

- I go to Florida in December 2010 for 2 weeks and get married

- I come back to Toronto early January 2011

- In June 2011 I go to Hawaii for 2 months (June - August, obviously having my ties+return prepared)

- Come back to Toronto

- Finish my degree in one semester (either between September-December, or January-April.. if my class schedule works out for January-April, I would stay for 6 months in Hawaii on a B2 with my return flight/ties to Canada starting in June till November)

- Upon finishing my degree (latest December 2011) I would begin the CR1 process with husband in the U.S.

- While process is ongoing, I would be working my "behind" off making sure I can afford to live and pay for immigration fees/trip to Montreal

* I've clarified that I can travel back and forth while I-130/CR1 is in process as long as I have my return+ties

- Once everything is approved and I get the CR1 and I'm ready (within that 6 month period) I would leave for Hawaii

So, my question I guess is a more general one: WHEN is the best time to do a name change? If I change it within Florida, it wouldn't have an effect on me in Toronto, right? Or maybe it's a better idea for me to wait till I'm in Hawaii to do it (*it* being marriage and name change at the same time) since I could potentially have waaaay more time to stay and sort out business? The more I think the more confused I get

Edited November 25, 2010 by Gervl

[VanessaTony 3,567]

- I go to Florida in December 2010 for 2 weeks and get married

- I come back to Toronto early January 2011

- In June 2011 I go to Hawaii for 2 months (June - August, obviously having my ties+return prepared)

- Come back to Toronto

- Finish my degree in one semester (either between September-December, or January-April.. if my class schedule works out for January-April, I would stay for 6 months in Hawaii on a B2 with my return flight/ties to Canada starting in June till November)

- Upon finishing my degree (latest December 2011) I would begin the CR1 process with husband in the U.S.

- While process is ongoing, I would be working my "behind" off making sure I can afford to live and pay for immigration fees/trip to Montreal

* I've clarified that I can travel back and forth while I-130/CR1 is in process as long as I have my return+ties

- Once everything is approved and I get the CR1 and I'm ready (within that 6 month period) I would leave for Hawaii

So, my question I guess is a more general one: WHEN is the best time to do a name change? If I change it within Florida, it wouldn't have an effect on me in Toronto, right? Or maybe it's a better idea for me to wait till I'm in Hawaii to do it (*it* being marriage and name change at the same time) since I could potentially have waaaay more time to stay and sort out business? The more I think the more confused I get

It's okay.. this is easily sorted.

You're married Dec 2010. While you're in Toronto between Jan and July 2011 (if you can afford it) change your passport to your married name. Reason for this, when you apply for the CR-1, the visa will be issued in your passport name, and the GC in your Visa name. It's usually easier to change your passport in the country of passport and because you're there for almost 7 months you have plenty of time.

Bear in mind that even though you've changed your passport, you dont need to change anything else if you don't want to. This will just make your travelling and immigration process a LOT easier.

You can change the rest of your stuff if you like (if you have US stuff.. I don't know if you do) while you're in Hawaii over June-August 2011.

Question though, is there any reason why you're waiting to file the CR-1 till the end of next year? The process (I believe) will take around 12 months in Canada. You can finish school, still visit your husband and get there a LOT quicker (and save money on flights etc in the meantime). You have 6 months till you can activate the visa, and you can turn right around and go back to Toronto if you need to (say the deadline for entering is approaching and you haven't finished school). If I were you, I would start the Cr-1 process sometime during Jan - July 2011 (after you change your passport). This way you could be there in July 2012.

If money is an issue then of course you can wait You can even delay it by waiting to pay certain things if you need to.

Edited November 25, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[keysjangle 145]

I suppose you're right about starting the CR1 sooner. I guess the best way would be to start the process once my passport is changed so that everything they get has my new last name. Thanks so much for the clarification

[Canadiandggal 49]

Okay. So. I'll try to better explain myself haha.

- I go to Florida in December 2010 for 2 weeks and get married

- I come back to Toronto early January 2011

- In June 2011 I go to Hawaii for 2 months (June - August, obviously having my ties+return prepared)

- Come back to Toronto

- Finish my degree in one semester (either between September-December, or January-April.. if my class schedule works out for January-April, I would stay for 6 months in Hawaii on a B2 with my return flight/ties to Canada starting in June till November)

- Upon finishing my degree (latest December 2011) I would begin the CR1 process with husband in the U.S.

- While process is ongoing, I would be working my "behind" off making sure I can afford to live and pay for immigration fees/trip to Montreal

* I've clarified that I can travel back and forth while I-130/CR1 is in process as long as I have my return+ties

- Once everything is approved and I get the CR1 and I'm ready (within that 6 month period) I would leave for Hawaii

So, my question I guess is a more general one: WHEN is the best time to do a name change? If I change it within Florida, it wouldn't have an effect on me in Toronto, right? Or maybe it's a better idea for me to wait till I'm in Hawaii to do it (*it* being marriage and name change at the same time) since I could potentially have waaaay more time to stay and sort out business? The more I think the more confused I get

You can change your name whenever you would like.

Your plan seems quite well planned out, I wish I had been that planned out but I like the whole "lets do it" lifestyle too much. Changing your passport is a great idea however I believe to change your passport you must have another form of identification in your married name Ie drivers license,health card.

Good luck

[keysjangle 145]

I've got both my license, health card, and if needed visa bills sent to my home. I hope being ####### about all this will result in a good adventure once I start it

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You can change your name whenever you would like. Your plan seems quite well planned out, I wish I had been that planned out but I like the whole "lets do it" lifestyle too much. Changing your passport is a great idea however I believe to change your passport you must have another form of identification in your married name Ie drivers license,health card. Good luck

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/form/pdfs/pptc153.pdf , page 4 has what documents you need to support your identity. It certainly seems that changing your drivers licence and/or health card would be beneficial before doing the passport stuff. If in doubt just call passport canada. I know Australia doesn't let me use my US marriage licence to change my stuff, I had to do an official name change.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I've got both my license, health card, and if needed visa bills sent to my home. I hope being ####### about all this will result in a good adventure once I start it

You know I've found it's VERY helpful. I have one folder with all my immigration stuff to date. I'm sure I'll need another folder when it comes to naturalisation (think I can make ROC fit.. I hope I can make it ALL fit... I like it all together).

I keep a copy of EVERYTHING I submit (even supporting docs if there are duplicates so I can be sure of what i've sent.. this came in handy for my name change stuff too), of all the receipts when I mail the packages and the tracking number attached to it. I've had to check stuff before and having it there and available makes life much easier.

[Married2009 32]

Question - would starting the CR1 process mess with the B2 visa she has/will get?

[TracyTN 237]

??? What does that have to do with name change and marriage?