Sposes (women) last name change

[OscarDavid 0]

I am a US citizen currently petitioning for my wife who lives in Colombia. I was wondering anyone knew if my spouses last name would change to mine or would she remain with her maiden last name? Our marriage certificates has her with her maiden name but I'm curious to know if US officials will change her last name to mine when she receives her US documents. Thanks

[Coach411 0]

If you fill out all paperwork with her maiden name, her documents will be in her maiden name. If you fill out all paperwork with married name, her documents will be in her married name.

[danyte 2]

Take a look at who has to consider the changes. The folks processing the petitions are confused enough. It is MY opinion and after discussing this with some others....Wait for her to get here then do a court order to change her name to married name. There is little harm in waiting to do this verses, a Colombian with a new name, hardly any historic paper trail for an investigation, or the possibility they will not want to put the effort in investigation the name change now but rather later because its more work on them.

Your married. She is your wife. People who dont know either of you will be adjudicating your futures. You be the judge of it. The law will probably read as it is your decision, but dont rule out the law of human laziness or ability to apply common sense.

Bottom line for us: We are waiting for my wife to hit US soil and will do so ASAP when she is here. Remember, it will be easier to explain the change in all her IDs to the person you are sitting in front of during your interview to remove conditions rather then to some stupid 800 line and trail of mail to WHO THE HECK KNOWS???

[El Cachalote 12]

After our marriage in Peru, it was so easy to add my surname to the wifey's (like "Guerra de MacLeod"). She went to the national identity office with her marriage certificate in hand, obtained a new national identity document with her original (pre-marriage) ID number, so she still has a papertrail in case the government wishes to investigate for any reason. After that, I filed the immigrant petition papers for my wife in her married name and everything is done.

Colombia may be different, but I know in Peru it was very easy and did not cost a lot.

Regards,

Magnus

[El Cachalote 12]

Just noted you are a K-1 visa. If you are married, you want to do an IR1/CR1 or K3 visa! Buena suerte!

[felo391971 4]

The last name change issue is a cultural issue in the US Marry Women take on there Husband last name in other countries that never happend .

I never change my wife last name to my . It doesnt bother me as in Puerto Rico is common for women to Retain their last name .

I never had any issue getting her on my health insurrance and bank or CC acount as she came to the US on CR1 Visa an as of today she havent change her last name . We talk about it however she knows is no really important for me .

As i say is a cultural issue . Before i get hammer w. some comments i must specify that

Puerto Rico is part of the US and I serve the US ARMY for 9 years i lv my country and i will die for my family and country .

However i decide that she can keep her last name maybe as she become full USC in 5 years will change .

All the best for you on 2012

[hkb21 0]

I have some questions about name change because my wife wants to change after she gets here also.

1. How exactly does one go about doing it?

2. Will her passport from her native country become invalid once her name changes?

3. I want to get her on my insurance ASAP when she gets here, will a name change after I do this complicate it?

[Dave&Roza 748]

I have some questions about name change because my wife wants to change after she gets here also.

1. How exactly does one go about doing it?

2. Will her passport from her native country become invalid once her name changes?

3. I want to get her on my insurance ASAP when she gets here, will a name change after I do this complicate it?

1) There are several methods with different timelines and costs. A) wait until the next step in the immigration process and change her legal name that way--free, but the time may be very long; B) get a court ordered name change--very fast, but it does cost; C) apply for a new GC (this assumes you already have one)--is a bit slow and costs around $340 I think (too lazy to look it up on the USCIS website)

2) passport will still be valid, but she will either have to get a new one to use her married name to travel or she will have to use her maiden name on all international travel documents

3) This is ruled by the almightly SSN not name. Until she has a SSN it will depend on the insurance company as to whether she will be added or not.

My wife is using her maiden name and most likely will forever as she gains nothing by changing it--people will ask her "How do you spell that?" for her lastname or mine and hers is a bit easier to pronounce . This is up to you and your wife. The name change does not make it easier or harder with USCIS.

Good luck,

Dave

[USArmyWifey 2]

In the UK i didnt have to legaly change my name, when i got married in the US they asked me at the court house what name i would like to go by and said when i get home to just use my marriage liscence as proof of a name change. When entering the country make sure that her last names match her passport and her documents though! (it doesnt matter which one she uses aslong as everything matches) I had to get a new passport after i got married so i could fly back to the states for a visit.

[JosephandKata 0]

Do you want her to change her last name? this is an interesting topic because I've had this discussion with my wife and she wants both her maiden and mine. I think that's stupid. Either choose mine or keep yours.

[El Cachalote 12]

Do you want her to change her last name? this is an interesting topic because I've had this discussion with my wife and she wants both her maiden and mine. I think that's stupid. Either choose mine or keep yours.

An interesting topic...yes. My wife and I talked about what name she wished to use. She is proud of her family names so she kept all her names...then she's proud of our marriage too...so she added my name. It makes for a long name and we're gonna see what abbreviations are available. Long name, but she's happy!

[Caribbean Pirate 9]

Here is another question related to that topic. I am the USC and I did change my name after getting married. Will it make our petition any easier? Will the fact that I've done that help to indicate a legitimate marriage? Anyone know if it matters?

[Teddy♥Pika 2]

Here is another question related to that topic. I am the USC and I did change my name after getting married. Will it make our petition any easier? Will the fact that I've done that help to indicate a legitimate marriage? Anyone know if it matters?

It might be helpful, I changed my name also and the process was not that long as I thought. My best wishes to you!!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I am a US citizen currently petitioning for my wife who lives in Colombia. I was wondering anyone knew if my spouses last name would change to mine or would she remain with her maiden last name? Our marriage certificates has her with her maiden name but I'm curious to know if US officials will change her last name to mine when she receives her US documents. Thanks

If her passport is in her maiden name the visa will be issued in her maiden name. USCIS doesn't arbitrarily change peoples names.

[bigdog 376]

We had this discussion, I think she will change to her name a middle and mine last, we will see if we can do it at the AOS interview.