Should I go with my maiden or married name

[moemac59 193]

I was down in the states this weekend and speaking with my fiance. We are both at an age where taking his last name after marriage isn't an issue. I would also like to keep my maiden name....don't want the hassle of having to change my passport and all other documents.

We are getting married at the end of next month. I know that in some case, they will usually ask what last name the bride is going to be using after marriage...can someone please elaborate if this is true?

Will this be a huge issue when we file for AOS and the Biometrics appointment? Will they look at that as it not being a legitimate thing or frown upon that because they want to see evidence of couples sharing their lives together.

I like my maiden name and feel it is part of my heritage and have strong ties to it.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

It is not going to be an issue at all. Plenty of people choose not to change their name after marriage. No worries.

I see your signature says you are planning on filing for the K1 visa in October, yet your post says you're getting married next month. Not sure if you just haven't updated your signature to include correct information, or what. But if you do get married next month, there is no filing for the K1 visa, as that is intended for people who want to move and get married in the States, which you can't do if you're already married, obviously.

Edited May 7, 2012 by Coconuts

[moemac59 193]

It is not going to be an issue at all. Plenty of people choose not to change their name after marriage. No worries.

I see your signature says you are planning on filing for the K1 visa in October, yet your post says you're getting married next month. Not sure if you just haven't updated your signature to include correct information, or what. But if you do get married next month, there is no filing for the K1 visa, as that is intended for people who want to move and get married in the States, which you can't do if you're already married, obviously.

The information in my signature is incorrect. I updated the timeline in my profile but it never shows up. ARRRGHHH

I just picked up my K1 visa last week and crossed over at Whirlpool in Niagra(Nexus only. I called CBP and they said that I could enter but to make sure that I informed CBP that I have the visa but was not activating it unti next month.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

The information in my signature is incorrect. I updated the timeline in my profile but it never shows up. ARRRGHHH

I just picked up my K1 visa last week and crossed over at Whirlpool in Niagra(Nexus only. I called CBP and they said that I could enter but to make sure that I informed CBP that I have the visa but was not activating it unti next month.

Ah okay, that makes sense

I don't recall ever being asked if I was going to take my husband's name. After we got married, I simply put his last name on anything I applied for (SSN, State ID, driver's license, etc) and filed for my AOS in his name as well, including the marriage certificate for proof.

Nobody ever asked me any questions, so you NOT changing your name certainly won't be an issue. Be sure that when AOS rolls around, you simply put your maiden name so that your green card arrives in the name you've chosen.

[bigdog 377]

Use what ever name you want, it is the valid and ongoing real marriage that counts. Have fun. My wife chose to use her last as a middle. Did not change anything in her native country.

[Lainie B 465]

I was down in the states this weekend and speaking with my fiance. We are both at an age where taking his last name after marriage isn't an issue. I would also like to keep my maiden name....don't want the hassle of having to change my passport and all other documents.

We are getting married at the end of next month. I know that in some case, they will usually ask what last name the bride is going to be using after marriage...can someone please elaborate if this is true?

Will this be a huge issue when we file for AOS and the Biometrics appointment? Will they look at that as it not being a legitimate thing or frown upon that because they want to see evidence of couples sharing their lives together.

I like my maiden name and feel it is part of my heritage and have strong ties to it.

In some states you will be asked what name you intend to use after you get married, and you will sign in that name, and both your maiden name and married name will appear on your marriage certificate.

In other states they do not ask, you sign in your maiden name, then you just start using your married name. Either way you then use your marriage certificate to change your name on other documents.

But if you want to just keep your old name, no problem.

[jojolicious 38]

I kept my maiden name and this was never an issue. Never came up during AOS at all. If anything, it made things easier since I didn't have to run around changing my name on other documents.

[moemac59 193]

Ah okay, that makes sense

I don't recall ever being asked if I was going to take my husband's name. After we got married, I simply put his last name on anything I applied for (SSN, State ID, driver's license, etc) and filed for my AOS in his name as well, including the marriage certificate for proof.

Nobody ever asked me any questions, so you NOT changing your name certainly won't be an issue. Be sure that when AOS rolls around, you simply put your maiden name so that your green card arrives in the name you've chosen.

Ooh coconuts, just reading your signature and noticed USCIS lost your medical...bummer...that sucks! Hopefully, when I cross over next month at Lewiston and ask the POE officer if they can do this, they'll be kind enough...but then again with Lewiston the agents there are not the nicest.

Just figured out how to change my signature and update my information...being so tech savy and all...NOT! Funny could figure out all the immigration paperwork but could not figure out how to change my signature information

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Ooh coconuts, just reading your signature and noticed USCIS lost your medical...bummer...that sucks! Hopefully, when I cross over next month at Lewiston and ask the POE officer if they can do this, they'll be kind enough...but then again with Lewiston the agents there are not the nicest.

Yeah, it's been fun. Ah well, my journey was going TOO smoothly. Something had to go wrong eventually.