Changing Names

[loveromelyn 0]

Hi VisaJourney smart people.

My wife has arrived from the Philippines and she has her green card & Social Security card (it took about 3 weeks, like it says in numerous places). She did not legally change her name while in the Philippines and now she would like to. Whats the best way to go about this? I've been looking on the web for information and the USCIS website doesn't seem to have anything about change of name, I think the SF Philippine Consular could do it with our marriage certificate but only in person (awkward, because we are living in Montana). What are your thoughts? Should I send her back to Manila to do it? Would we then have to renew her passport and greencard? The SS card has my name on it...

What is the easiest way to change a spouses name?

Thanks in advance, Don

[qwerty123 6]

What does your marriage certificate show as her last name?

[indiana_sweetie 120]

The SS card has my name on it...

What is the easiest way to change a spouses name?

Thanks in advance, Don

She might be able to change her name with the SS card as proof but the marriage license is better proof (it shows here married name, right?) I had to show or send my marriage certificate as proof for most instances....passport, some bank accounts. Others only needed proof from SS.

[dave01 16]

Hi VisaJourney smart people.

My wife has arrived from the Philippines and she has her green card & Social Security card (it took about 3 weeks, like it says in numerous places). She did not legally change her name while in the Philippines and now she would like to. Whats the best way to go about this? I've been looking on the web for information and the USCIS website doesn't seem to have anything about change of name, I think the SF Philippine Consular could do it with our marriage certificate but only in person (awkward, because we are living in Montana). What are your thoughts? Should I send her back to Manila to do it? Would we then have to renew her passport and greencard? The SS card has my name on it...

What is the easiest way to change a spouses name?

Thanks in advance, Don

I would advise that you go online to the DFA website and get the requirements for renewing the passport to reflect the new married name. She will need an NSO copy of your Marriage Certificate as well as the CFO Certificate to do it. There would be no reason to change the name on here visa or green card as they would still be valid even if the old passport is not. I would think it would be far cheaper to do it in the US than for her to return to Manila.

[Tahoma 2,291]

What is the easiest way to change a spouses name?

Your wife should get her passport amended to her married name at the consular outreach event when it comes to Montana on August 24-25. Here's the link to the outreach info: Philippines Consulate - San Francisco.

Here's the Consulate's list of requirements for amending her passport: Passport amendment requirements.