Just Got Married - Changing Family Name?

[SennaBrigante 92]

Hi everyone.

We just got married yesterday and we'll be going through the process in about 3-4 weeks. We need to gather all the requirements first.

Anyway, I was just wondering whether I should use my maiden name throughout the application up until the very end when I re-enter the US? If so, when will I get the chance to use my new family name for documents like social security or driver's license?

Do I have to initiate the name change in my home country first or can I just do it in the US in the future? So confused.

Thanks!

[HollyGolightly 72]

I was in your situation about 2 months back when I started the process. When I decided I wanted to carry his last name, I made sure to fill up the forms using my changed last name. We also forwarded copies of our marriage certificate to our bank to change my last name on our bank accounts and credit cards. We also informed our landlord so he can reflect this in our lease renewal agreement. As soon as the wedding was done, you are also required to file for a "Report of Marriage" in the Philippine Consulate with jurisdiction over the marriage ceremony. This records the marriage in the Register of Deeds in the Philippines which gives your marriage abroad legal authority in the Philippines.

[SennaBrigante 92]

Thanks! I didn't even know about having to register with the embassy.

So should we wait to submit our CR-1 requirements until after I register the marriage?

And also, do I use my maiden name on the form or my married name?

[HollyGolightly 72]

The report of marriage is beneficial for giving your marriage legal taint in the Philippines. It is by no means required or pressing. There are people that don't even bother to report their marriage abroad to the consulate. I had to do it because I needed to renew my passport and I wanted my new changed name to reflect it.

You also don't need to file the report in order to start filing your immigration papers. The report pertains to the Philippine jurisdiction (which extends over citizens abroad) and not to the US immigration process.

If you are filing CR1, i am assuming you are not in the US. Where are you intending to marry? And what papers are you speaking of filing?

[SennaBrigante 92]

We're already married. We got married in TX. I want to change the name on my passport to reflect my married name so I'm assuming I'll have to do it in the Philippines which also means I have to submit the report of marriage.

Now this is confusing because if I report the marriage and change my name on my passport, it means that I'll have to wait until the name change before I can use my married name on the CR-1 application. If we go ahead and file the CR-1 using my maiden name and then have my name on my passport changed, would the application still be valid?

[HollyGolightly 72]

No you can renew your passport at the Consulate. You just have to do an appearance. I believe the Consulate General that has jurisdiction over Texas is Chicago. Please consult their website for instructions on how to file the report and renew your passport.

As soon as you file a report, you can immediately put in your changed name on your renewed passport. I was married in Colorado and filed my report via mail to the San Fransico Consulate. I had to get it notarized because it was not personally filed. In the same week I mailed my report, I traveled to Chicago (where I had family) to renew my passport. I could not file the report in Chicago because they had no consular jurisdiction over my place of marriage. I got there, filled the forms and payed the fees and was out of there by lunch time. Quick and painless.

So you are headed back to the Philippines to file for CR1?

[HollyGolightly 72]

"Now this is confusing because if I report the marriage and change my name on my passport, it means that I'll have to wait until the name change before I can use my married name on the CR-1 application. If we go ahead and file the CR-1 using my maiden name and then have my name on my passport changed, would the application still be valid?"

No- all you need is the marriage certificate and you can change your name. You are legally married and can (if you choose to) change your name as soon as you are married. No other process is required for you to effect this change other than a valid marriage and as proof you just have to present your marriage certificate.

[SennaBrigante 92]

Yeah I'm leaving the US on the 29th to go back home. I'm pregnant and husband's insurance won't cover labor and delivery costs and my HMO is still active back home so it's more practical. Plus I traveled here on a tourist visa.

[SennaBrigante 92]

So that means that I'll be renewing my passport back home. I actually just renewed 2 years ago but from what I understand it's the same procedure for changing the name, just different documents to present.

[HollyGolightly 72]

--my mistake, seems like Texas is under the Philippine Consulate General in LA, here is the link:

http://www.philippineconsulatela.org

[SennaBrigante 92]

I guess I'll need to report the marriage if I want my passport name change back home. So much paperwork

[HollyGolightly 72]

Yeah I'm leaving the US on the 29th to go back home. I'm pregnant and husband's insurance won't cover labor and delivery costs and my HMO is still active back home so it's more practical. Plus I traveled here on a tourist visa.

Yes, you can renew your passport in the Philippines but you don't have to if it is far from it's date of expiry. Just make sure you enter your maiden last name in the "other names" category on the forms so you will not have trouble with the visa.

CR1 might take a while but you are right on all points. Good luck on the pregnancy!

Edited September 17, 2013 by HollyGolightly

[Blueberry Pancake 311]

I recently filed and based on my research here on VJ- I used my married name, even though I still haven't changed my documents. I will have that done that by the time we get to NVC.

Congrats on your marriage!

[SennaBrigante 92]

Thanks everyone!

So I guess we'll file the report of marriage either way but it's not as urgent as I thought it was. I'll just use my married name on the application documents, give them a copy of the marriage contract and my husband can just mail the report of marriage later on.