New name or maiden name on AOS forms?

[RachaelP 3]

Hi, VJers,

I am awaiting my NOA2, but researching the future steps. I have a couple questions about the AOS forms regarding which name to use -- maiden or married.

I am the USC, and I intend to take my future husband's last name upon marriage. Because we will want to send out the AOS paperwork ASAP after the wedding, I will likely change my name officially with the SS office after sending out the package. However, given that AOS takes time to process (and also given that I assume my NEW name will be on the marriage certificate), should I fill out the forms with my maiden name or married name? Will it be a problem if I fill out the I-864 and other documents with my maiden name, even if by the time they process it my NEW name is in effect? Or perhaps they will accept either name? If any person who has already gone through this step of the process can advise me, I would be very grateful.

THank you!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Use your married name on the forms. The GC will come in your married name. USCIS will accept your marriage cert as a valid name change document.

We don't have a national name registry or anything like that so there is no real instant your "New name is in effect" as you say. Just fill out the forms in your married name. Simple as.

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Use your married name on the forms. The GC will come in your married name. USCIS will accept your marriage cert as a valid name change document.

We don't have a national name registry or anything like that so there is no real instant your "New name is in effect" as you say. Just fill out the forms in your married name. Simple as.

She is the USC she won't "get" her greencard

[Andrea&Henry 311]

And yes you can use your marry name on your husband AoS. So far I know, the wedding certificate is your legal proof, that you can use his last name even if you haven't change it yet (SSN, driver license etc)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

She is the USC she won't "get" her greencard

Ah, right My mistake.

Either way, still use your new name on the forms.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

Hi, VJers,

I am awaiting my NOA2, but researching the future steps. I have a couple questions about the AOS forms regarding which name to use -- maiden or married.

I am the USC, and I intend to take my future husband's last name upon marriage. Because we will want to send out the AOS paperwork ASAP after the wedding, I will likely change my name officially with the SS office after sending out the package. However, given that AOS takes time to process (and also given that I assume my NEW name will be on the marriage certificate), should I fill out the forms with my maiden name or married name? Will it be a problem if I fill out the I-864 and other documents with my maiden name, even if by the time they process it my NEW name is in effect? Or perhaps they will accept either name? If any person who has already gone through this step of the process can advise me, I would be very grateful.

THank you!

I used my married name on all the paperwork, but I used both maiden and married on I-864 because payroll stubs, taxes, and employment letter still was in maiden name.

[RachaelP 3]

Thank you for all the responses. I will use my married name, then.

I used my married name on all the paperwork, but I used both maiden and married on I-864 because payroll stubs, taxes, and employment letter still was in maiden name.

When you say you used both names on the I-864, you mean you entered both in the same box, (i.e. Rachael Maiden name Married name), or was there a place to list both names separately?

[menina 50]

I am the USC and used my married name. I was concerned that everything match the initial K1 papers so I kept my maiden name as a middle name and took my husband's last name. We were fine. You can also use just your husband's last name without problem.

[jckbtchr 0]

Hi all,

I am in this exact same situation. We had our package ready to send out until I noticed we opted for a name change (our marriage certificate shows this).

However, we have every form filled out with my wife (USC's) maiden name. Should we return to the forms and change her name to reflect the marriage certificate, or it not necessary?

Thank you,

Jack.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

It doesn't matter much for the USC. You can use married or maiden. I delayed changing my name for personal reasons, but had started using my husband's name by the time he filed for ROC. Used my name before marriage for AOS, and then the married name for the ROC paperwork with no problems at all.

It really only matters for the immigrant. They are the ones that need the correct name to be printed on their documents/cards.

Edited April 11, 2016 by KayDeeCee

[jckbtchr 0]

Brilliant – Thank you so much for your help. Very glad we don't have to dismantle the package!

Such a painstaking process, very thankful for resources like this.

Cheers,

Jack.

[GreenPaddy 3]

Thank you for all the responses. I will use my married name, then.

When you say you used both names on the I-864, you mean you entered both in the same box, (i.e. Rachael Maiden name Married name), or was there a place to list both names separately?

You can also include signed document explaining name change in your packet, though not necessary.