Changing my last name?

[Lytha 2]

Hey VJ family

I was wondering about this, paperwork is almost finally over, a 'second' interview here soon and surely on my way home...

Now, I am married and in the US it's a common thing for women to take their husband's name... In my country it wasnt so common, it our marriage now just got legalized in my homecountry... So we didnt bother about my last name ... Now, I'm soon to be in the States... I was just wondering... Am I still able to take my husband's name? We filed all papers in my 'maiden' name ... Am I still able to make changes in that?

[Anh map 2,098]

What is your legal name? If you didn't change your name as a part of the marriage process then you will have to file at your local court to change your name. The process varies from state to state. Or you can wait and do it in a few years as a part of your naturalization process if you choose to seek US citizenship.

[Lytha 2]

What is your legal name? If you didn't change your name as a part of the marriage process then you will have to file at your local court to change your name. The process varies from state to state. Or you can wait and do it in a few years as a part of your naturalization process if you choose to seek US citizenship.

Well my legal name is still the one it has been since I was born ... I havent changed it, since 'taking your husband's name' is rather uncommon here in Belgium. And offcourse, it took me a long while to get my marriage legalized in Belgium too. SO now, filing for the CR1 visa, I used the name I have always had, not my married name ... Now, I was thinking to take my husband's name... And i didnt quiet know how to start on that ...

[Anh map 2,098]

You can do the name change there in Belgium prior to entering the US. Or wait to change it in the US. It's a court proceeding here in the US. Can happen anytime you want to invest the time and $. As mentioned before, you can wait a few years and just roll it into the naturalization process.

[Lytha 2]

You can do the name change there in Belgium prior to entering the US. Or wait to change it in the US. It's a court proceeding here in the US. Can happen anytime you want to invest the time and $. As mentioned before, you can wait a few years and just roll it into the naturalization process.

I think I might just leave it untill I apply for US Citizenship... Can I keep my Belgian citizenship and become dual btw?

Thanks for the help on this!

[Jojo92122 1,924]

You can simply use your marriage certificate to change your maiden name to your husband's last name. You do not need a court order.

To get official documents in your married name, you will need to at least notify Social Security to change your social security card and the DMV to change your driver's license. You can then use these documents to change your green card and possibly your passport.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/name-change-101.aspx

http://www.wikihow.com/Change-Your-Name-After-Marriage

[Jojo92122 1,924]

I think I might just leave it untill I apply for US Citizenship... Can I keep my Belgian citizenship and become dual btw?

Thanks for the help on this!

The US does not care about dual citizenship - there is no law allowing it nor is there a law permitting it. As long as you are a US citizen, you are treated accordingly. Any other citizenship you may have is irrelevant to the US as long as you are a US citizen.

Belgium allows for dual citizenship since 2008.

[m.a.c. 0]

as of note: Even though you can change you name in the US, you will keep your maiden name in Belgium. Which means you will have a us passport on your married name and a belgian one in your maiden name. You have the possibility of going to court in Belgium to change your "belgian name" to match your "american" name. As name changes in Belgium are very uncommon, it does in general create a lot of confusion and headache, and is, if you are planning on staying in the US, probably not be worth the trouble.

[Lytha 2]

as of note: Even though you can change you name in the US, you will keep your maiden name in Belgium. Which means you will have a us passport on your married name and a belgian one in your maiden name. You have the possibility of going to court in Belgium to change your "belgian name" to match your "american" name. As name changes in Belgium are very uncommon, it does in general create a lot of confusion and headache, and is, if you are planning on staying in the US, probably not be worth the trouble.

thanks for letting me know! Sure is helpful!

[Silverberry1331 25]

Hey VJ family

I was wondering about this, paperwork is almost finally over, a 'second' interview here soon and surely on my way home...

Now, I am married and in the US it's a common thing for women to take their husband's name... In my country it wasnt so common, it our marriage now just got legalized in my homecountry... So we didnt bother about my last name ... Now, I'm soon to be in the States... I was just wondering... Am I still able to take my husband's name? We filed all papers in my 'maiden' name ... Am I still able to make changes in that?

Hi! I was wondering how you feel about changing your last name? True, it has been a part of marital culture here in the US but more recently more women have been keeping their names. I was married before to an American man, and I didn't want to change my name. Now, I am married to a Moroccan (and in Morocco women tend to keep their maiden name) and I am thinking about changing it after he gets here. I suppose I would ask myself if I really want to change my name and how much it means to my husband. Previously, I didn't want to give up my name...now I do. You can change your name whenever you wish here (I believe), so there is no pressure. If you would like to meet half way, you can hyphenate your last name so that your last name is yours and his...this is a nice compromise if you feel attached to your name but want to take his too. Good luck!