Just married, wife changing last name.

[Sodaboy 0]

Hi, guys, I've been scouring the Internet and have had been totally confused on this process...

My wife and I were just married yesterday. I am a US Citizen, she is not, and she wants to take my last name. On our marriage license, we specified this as well.

We haven't got the marriage certificate yet, but should be able to obtain a certified copy in a couple of weeks.

My question to you all is what is the process we need to do to make sure that she can change her name to mine successfully and not have any problems obtaining a green card?

I've read that she should just do everything with her old name, get the green card, then pay for the name change fee after receiving the green card... then I've read otherwise.

Not sure if this is TMI, but, my wife came to the US, legally, on a student Visa. We met through a friend of her's, dated for over a year, and then got married.

She does not have a current SSN or social security card... She only has her passport, Visa, and California ID.

Is it really just a matter of filing the paperwork, using the name she would like (her first name, my last name) for the adjustment of status and alien petition while specifying her old name as a previously used name on the G-325A?

Do we have to do anything with the DMV before filing the paperwork?

What about the SSA, even though she doesn't have a social security # or green card?

Even if we end up getting the green card after marriage that has her new name on it, will we have some issues when we want to travel outside of the country? I know, at that point, we'd have to get a new California ID from the DMV using the Green Card and, hopefully, a SSN/card that the SSA will provide with her new name on it. But how can we take care of her Japanese Passport which has her maiden name on it?

Ah, I guess I had a lot of questions. But I appreciate ANY answers you guys/girls can provide!

Thank you so much!

[DaveE 178]

Hi, guys, I've been scouring the Internet and have had been totally confused on this process...

My wife and I were just married yesterday. I am a US Citizen, she is not, and she wants to take my last name. On our marriage license, we specified this as well.

We haven't got the marriage certificate yet, but should be able to obtain a certified copy in a couple of weeks.

My question to you all is what is the process we need to do to make sure that she can change her name to mine successfully and not have any problems obtaining a green card?

I've read that she should just do everything with her old name, get the green card, then pay for the name change fee after receiving the green card... then I've read otherwise.

Not sure if this is TMI, but, my wife came to the US, legally, on a student Visa. We met through a friend of her's, dated for over a year, and then got married.

She does not have a current SSN or social security card... She only has her passport, Visa, and California ID.

Is it really just a matter of filing the paperwork, using the name she would like (her first name, my last name) for the adjustment of status and alien petition while specifying her old name as a previously used name on the G-325A?

Do we have to do anything with the DMV before filing the paperwork?

What about the SSA, even though she doesn't have a social security # or green card?

Even if we end up getting the green card after marriage that has her new name on it, will we have some issues when we want to travel outside of the country? I know, at that point, we'd have to get a new California ID from the DMV using the Green Card and, hopefully, a SSN/card that the SSA will provide with her new name on it. But how can we take care of her Japanese Passport which has her maiden name on it?

Ah, I guess I had a lot of questions. But I appreciate ANY answers you guys/girls can provide!

Thank you so much!

Every state is different as to marriage rules. As soon as we got married the government issued all documents in her married name, ie social security. For AOS, the green card was issued in the married name. All documents were issued the documents in the name specified on the marriage license.

We had to register the marriage with the local Filipino Embassy (consulate), for them to issue her a new passport in her married name.

Edited January 29, 2013 by DaveE

[Mariana2012 89]

I do my aos through my lawyer who started the process in my new name even before I changed my driver license.

With a certified marriage license she can change her driver license name no problem.

[Sodaboy 0]

I do my aos through my lawyer who started the process in my new name even before I changed my driver license.With a certified marriage license she can change her driver license name no problem.

Ah, that's something I forgot to say. We plan to do all the paperwork ourselves.

So, was your license change done before or after the Green Card?

We are wondering what name to use when going to the Civil Surgeon for the Form I-693 appointment too... her old name or her new name?

[Hagrid 22]

Just need the certified license/certificate. As she got married to you being single the license/certificate will probably show as she got married to you, with her maiden name, which is ok. She takes that with her passport to the ss office and apply for a new card with the name changed as she wants it. If she has already a ssn she can just state that in the form, if not, it's ok! both ways work!

Good luck!

[Andrea&Henry 311]

You dont need to pay for a lawyer to do her AOS, here you can find the list of documents you need. Is very simple. I filed my entire aos with my husband last name and that's how I changed it. Once I got my EAD (work authorization) I went with my marriage license and got my SSN and Driver license

[Sodaboy 0]

Just need the certified license/certificate. As she got married to you being single the license/certificate will probably show as she got married to you, with her maiden name, which is ok. She takes that with her passport to the ss office and apply for a new card with the name changed as she wants it. If she has already a ssn she can just state that in the form, if not, it's ok! both ways work!

Good luck!

Ah, this is a little confusing to me.

When you're saying... new card... are you talking about new SSN card?

She has no SSN card at all now.

From what I'm understanding about your post:

1. We can just file all the paperwork for the Green Card using the new name she wants.

2. Should everything be accepted, after receiving the Green Card we can go to the SSA and get a brand new SSN card for her with her new name.

3. At the same time, we can request a new Passport for her with her new name from the SSA office too?

Also, about a question I had above, do we do the Form I-693 Medical Examination and Vaccination with her new name or old? I understand if we do it with her new name, we'll need the certified certificate and possibly an already changed DMV ID. (Which, I guess, is easy to get once we get the certified marriage certificate.)

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Hi, guys, I've been scouring the Internet and have had been totally confused on this process...

My wife and I were just married yesterday. I am a US Citizen, she is not, and she wants to take my last name. On our marriage license, we specified this as well.

The only thing you can do is make sure that her new name is all over her forms, once you guys get her NOA1 from USCIS , you will know it was successful. The noa1 is adresses to her with her new name. I almost cry when I received my noa1 and see my new name.

We haven't got the marriage certificate yet, but should be able to obtain a certified copy in a couple of weeks.

My question to you all is what is the process we need to do to make sure that she can change her name to mine successfully and not have any problems obtaining a green card?

I've read that she should just do everything with her old name, get the green card, then pay for the name change fee after receiving the green card... then I've read otherwise. I dont know who told you this but this is not true, I mean you can do it, but is not worth it. You should file her entire AoS with her new name, so you will receive her EAD and GC with her new name

Not sure if this is TMI, but, my wife came to the US, legally, on a student Visa. We met through a friend of her's, dated for over a year, and then got married.

She does not have a current SSN or social security card... She only has her passport, Visa, and California ID. It doesn't matter, I didn't have my SSN back then when I adjusted

Is it really just a matter of filing the paperwork, using the name she would like (her first name, my last name) for the adjustment of status and alien petition while specifying her old name as a previously used name on the G-325A? it doesnt matter, put her new name and inside the same g325 there's a part where they ask you what's your maiden name or name use at the POE, that's where you put her her maiden, but for the rest of the paper work use her new one

Do we have to do anything with the DMV before filing the paperwork? you cant...she need to have her SSN and at least her work permit or greencard to apply for a driver license.

What about the SSA, even though she doesn't have a social security # or green card?

Even if we end up getting the green card after marriage that has her new name on it, will we have some issues when we want to travel outside of the country? NO BUT ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE JUST IN CASE

I know, at that point, we'd have to get a new California ID from the DMV using the Green Card and, hopefully, a SSN/card that the SSA will provide with her new name on it. But how can we take care of her Japanese Passport which has her maiden name on it? IF YOU PRESENT HER GREEN CARD OR WORK PERMIT THEY DONT ASK YOU FOR HER PASSPORT, AND IT DOESNT MATTER ANYWAYS

Ah, I guess I had a lot of questions. But I appreciate ANY answers you guys/girls can provide!

Thank you so much!

Edited January 29, 2013 by Andrea&Henry

[Sodaboy 0]

I didn't know we had to file for an EAD, too. I had always assumed that once you filed for a Green Card and the whole process to get the Green Card was finished, that she could work in the US. That's not true?

So we have to file Form I-485, Form I-130 *and* Form I-765 (first I've heard of this form)?

Also, my wife has a DMV California ID now, not a Driver's License, so I had figured we could have changed that before receiving the Green Card, but you're telling me that's not the case.

Thanks for the tip about traveling with our marriage certificate. We won't forget to do that in the future for sure!

EDIT: Yep, you're right! I must have missed needing to file Form I-765 too!!! OK!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! I would have missed something VERY IMPORTANT.

Edited January 29, 2013 by Sodaboy

[Andrea&Henry 311]

I didn't know we had to file for an EAD, too. I had always assumed that once you filed for a Green Card and the whole process to get the Green Card was finished, that she could work in the US. That's not true?

You dont have to file for her EAD if you dont want to. The EAD is a PROVISIONAL work permit while her GREEN CARD is still pending. Is very useful and is free (No additional fee is needed. Once she got her GC her EAD is useless. I strongly suggest you to file for it, cause she can start working as soon as she get it, and she can be able to get her SNN and driver license. Otherwise, you guys need to wait to get her GC to start doing all that. I filed on JULY 19 and Im still waiting. Thank God I filed for my EAD.

So we have to file Form I-485, Form I-130 *and* Form I-765 (first I've heard of this form)? I485, I131 AND I765....the i131 is the advanced parole so she can travel outside the states while she waits for her GC

Also, my wife has a DMV California ID now, not a Driver's License, so I had figured we could have changed that before receiving the Green Card, but you're telling me that's not the case. You can have it change with her EAD or wait to get her greencard, it doesnt matter.

Thanks for the tip about traveling with our marriage certificate. We won't forget to do that in the future for sure!

Edited January 29, 2013 by Andrea&Henry

[Sodaboy 0]

Wowo! Form I-131 too. OK!! Haha. So many! OK!! I think I'm finally on the path here then...

So, we're going to file with her NEW name, in total:

- Form I-485 along with forms I-693, G-325A (making sure to put her old name in the previously used names area), I-864, I-130, I-131, and I-765.

We'll make sure not to forget the birth certificates, photos, marriage certificate, joint account statements, lease and bills, affidavits, and all that other stuff!

When we receive her EAD, we can get her SSN and Driver's License!

PHEW! Sound good?

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Wowo! Form I-131 too. OK!! Haha. So many! OK!! I think I'm finally on the path here then...

So, we're going to file with her NEW name, in total:

- Form I-485 along with forms I-693, G-325A (making sure to put her old name in the previously used names area), I-864, I-130, I-131, and I-765.

We'll make sure not to forget the birth certificates, photos, marriage certificate, joint account statements, lease and bills, affidavits, and all that other stuff!

When we receive her EAD, we can get her SSN and Driver's License!

PHEW! Sound good?

Yeah you quite some work ahead but is very simple...just follow the guideslines here in Visajourney and how to file every form. Every form may need additionals items. for example: the g325 need 2x2 pictures, the i864 needs your last 3 taxes 2012 or 2011 and back, letter from employment, paystubs etc. so you need to be very careful while you are working in them. Most of the rfe's are because of this....each form has their own list of items need it.

You need to make an appointment for her with a civil surgeon near you, so she can have her vaccines and other stuff done. You need to submit the results with the package. and obviously pictures of you, your family, utility bills, joint accounts and all the things you need to prove yo are ona bonafide relationship. Save some of this items for her AoS INTERVIEW.

[Sodaboy 0]

Cool. Thanks so much for all your help! I really appreciate it.

Going to get started on what we need, ASAP... Well, as soon as we get our certified copy of the marriage certificate!

[Andrea&Henry 311]

good luck! remember to check everything very carefully and dont send your package until you are completely sure!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Cool. Thanks so much for all your help! I really appreciate it.

Going to get started on what we need, ASAP... Well, as soon as we get our certified copy of the marriage certificate!

Why don't you start collecting and filling in forms now? You don't need the marriage certificate to fill in the forms, but you will need a copy of it for the forms.

Whether she should use I-131 depends on if she's kept her status current.

Also, the I-131 and I-765 are ONLY until she gets her GC, they're interim measures.

You don't need to change her name on any of your supporting documents in order to file in the married name. Just put the married name on the forms. You will apply for a SSN in her married name once she gets her EAD. You can then change her married name on her ID or get a license in married name.

Start filling in the forms now, it will start to become clearer.