Name change question

[chelben 0]

I am a female US citizen filing for my fiance. i was wondering do i have to change my last name when we get married. Does it make a difference if i don't change my last name?

any insight on this would be greatly appreciated

thanks

[David A. 0]

I am a female US citizen filing for my fiance. i was wondering do i have to change my last name when we get married. Does it make a difference if i don't change my last name?

any insight on this would be greatly appreciated

thanks

Probably doesn't, but then again, you've got to look at it from the interviewers perspective... "hmmm... I wonder why she doesn't want to change her name." Might give them false ideas. I know in Australia, the US Consulate actually asked for the certificate of name change... without it, we couldn't file.

[chelben 0]

well what about the hyphenation...i kinda really like my last name ...lol

[bora bora 1]

I'm sure you can keep your last name - plenty of women do. You could also hyphen it - that is another option. I understand why someone said that it probably looks better if you change it but like I said, not all women want to. I do, but I know my sister is gettng married soon and isn't sure if she wants to. She also likes her full name. Some women with degrees in higher education or who marry later in life choose not to as well. It's up to you.

[Ladylethal 12]

It depends on your traditions, where you live, the culture, etc. In Puerto Rico the wife never takes the husband name so I kept mine although back home it's more common to change it.

[pnd629 0]

You don't have to change your last name.

I think it makes life easier if both spouses have the same last name--especially if there will be children later. But there are lots of reasons to keep your own name--professional reputation, cultural/family identity, etc.