Name change question

[KakawkaMac 0]

Hello folks,

I have a question that I just can't wrap my head around concerning name changes.

I am in the process of obtaining a K-1 for my fiance to come and marry in the US. She is a native Ukrainian where the custom is to take your husband's surname and make it feminine. I have a Polish last name that lends itself to this tradition and she would like to take my name and change the ending from -ski to -ska.

Is this allowed for K-1 immigrants? Is this a bad idea?

[Joiya 0]

She would be changing her name in the States after you marry - and yes... that is allowed.

It will not affect your process, because all you need to prove is marriage and relationship. Your name is not really relevant.

Some of the girls I know who came from the Philippines on a K-1 never changed their last name at all. I think that would be more of a red flag to the USCIS than using a female version.

I also know a girl whose husband came from Nigeria and she did something similar. There is a male and female version of surnames there, so she took the female version of his surname. I don't think she had any problems.

[Tygrys 143]

You will be residing in the US and there is no such custom here. It will be assumed that your future wife either keeps her maiden name or takes your last name. Your last name with changed last letter is not exactly yours, correct? I just checked the NJ marriage license application and there is no place for the bride to declare what last name she's going to use after marriage. Again, they assume one of two things (maiden name or husbands name).

[Joiya 0]

You will be residing in the US and there is no such custom here. It will be assumed that your future wife either keeps her maiden name or takes your last name. Your last name with changed last letter is not exactly yours, correct? I just checked the NJ marriage license application and there is no place for the bride to declare what last name she's going to use after marriage. Again, they assume one of two things (maiden name or husbands name).

This must be a State thing.

I totally changed my name on my marriage license. There was a line that said "New Name" and I even changed my maiden name to my middle name, so now I have two. It was not only legal, but not questioned at all.

And, a friend used the female version of her husband's name from Nigeria at the local licensing office, with no questions.

I guess that the OP in this case should check on the State laws where they will file their license.

[Tygrys 143]

This must be a State thing.

I totally changed my name on my marriage license. There was a line that said "New Name" and I even changed my maiden name to my middle name, so now I have two. It was not only legal, but not questioned at all.

And, a friend used the female version of her husband's name from Nigeria at the local licensing office, with no questions.

I guess that the OP in this case should check on the State laws where they will file their license.

Possibly it's a State thing. At least in NJ they have standardized State form in use. Here in NC every county has its own form, but none I've seen are providing "New Name" line or box. I agree that the OP should check the State laws about this. Just needs go to County Offices and ask.

[KakawkaMac 0]

Thank you both for the responses, I will check with my NJ state offices.

[Shauneg 762]

Thank you both for the responses, I will check with my NJ state offices.

You're about 20 minutes from me. I'd like to know they answer, so if you wouldn't and if you remember can you post the response here?

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Careful with name changes, some get RFE'd

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/553395-name-discrepancy-rfe-kindly-advise/#entry7682229

[KakawkaMac 0]

In the State of NJ you just go ahead and change your name and then file it with the local SSA office. For my case we're still deciding how to proceed, she may just keep her own surname for ease and perhaps change it in the future but I think it's wise not to feminize my surname as that would cause too much confusion.

If she decides to take my surname we will file our marriage certificate with all further paperwork and add her maiden name as "Other Names Used" so we can avoid the problems that Ebunoluwa referenced.