Name Change

[J-D 1]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of going through submitting the 130 and 485 package after I recently got married.

I had a question about changing the name on my current SSN (which is in my maiden name). All my documents are in my maiden name (EAD, passport, driver's license, etc.) My question is whether I can go into Social Security and get my name changed on the card without the name matching up to the EAD, etc. I do have the certified marriage certificate ready, but do not know whether that'll be enough since it doesn't currently match with any immigration documents. I'd love to get my US id's changed as soon as I can (namely driver's license, SSN), and since my EAD expires in October I thought I'd just wait for the new one to come in (submitted with the 130 and 485) before tackling a name change on that.

Thanks for any help you can give!

[CC90 90]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of going through submitting the 130 and 485 package after I recently got married.

I had a question about changing the name on my current SSN (which is in my maiden name). All my documents are in my maiden name (EAD, passport, driver's license, etc.) My question is whether I can go into Social Security and get my name changed on the card without the name matching up to the EAD, etc. I do have the certified marriage certificate ready, but do not know whether that'll be enough since it doesn't currently match with any immigration documents. I'd love to get my US id's changed as soon as I can (namely driver's license, SSN), and since my EAD expires in October I thought I'd just wait for the new one to come in (submitted with the 130 and 485) before tackling a name change on that.

Thanks for any help you can give!

The driver license issue will depend solely on your own state's rules. At least in Florida, they will take the I-797 for the adjustment of status as evidence of legal presence, but, for a name change, they require your name to already be changed with the SSA and USCIS.

Although I have no direct, first-hand experience, the SS-5 clearly lists the types of USCIS documents it will accept as proof of name/immigration status; the I-797 is not one of them. It also says in capital letters that they cannot accept receipts that you applied for a document (i.e. the I-797 in this case).

However, it is vague as to whether or not, if you already have a valid EAD, they will change your name with a marriage certificate without having you update the EAD.

I would suggest you try with the SSA--and please do post back with the results.

[J-D 1]

Thanks for the info! Will be sure to let you know what happens!

P.S. I'm living in California, in case anyone knows anything specific to the state!