Name change for the both of us

[bluebook14 32]

We were wondering how simple it would be to change both our names when we get married (via K1)

She would take my last name,

I would change my first name: unfortunately my parents were not kind to me when giving my name, and I would like to change my first name as well when I get married. Is this a good opportunity to do so? (Both my passport and DL expire in 2016). Is there a reason not to do so?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

You can take each other's last name. Marriage laws allow this.

You can not change your first name. Marriage does not allow you to change your first name.

There are only two ways to change your first name; a court order or when naturalizing (getting your US citizenship).

[bluebook14 32]

I'm the USC, and she is the beneficiary. She will be taking my last name, we have agreed on this.

But I also want to change MY first name, which I have always disliked. My doubts are whether me changing my first name at this point in our immigration process will do us any harm.

[Villanelle 4,122]

Well the immigration process is primarily hers and not yours if that makes sense. Your involvement is limited. (mostly in a sponsor role). The previous is a very basic sentence condensing the process down and of course can be expanded into a forum of its own (!) but I dont think thats a conversation that needs to be had.

A good saying is to just live your life and immigration will accommodate it. Believe me they have papers and forms for everything. Oddly there is no USC name change form though!

So for you, being the USC, you really dont need to do anything besides live your life and change your name if/when you want. Basically the next time a form rolls around that you need to send in something with your new name on, you simply send in proof of your name change along with a simple letter explaining you changed your first name and the discrepancy. (since you are going to have a mix of old name/new name paperwork and evidences)

Personally I think doing it now is a smart move because your other papers expire so it makes financial sense.

[bluebook14 32]

Thanks Damara, that makes a lot of sense!

[NikLR 13,227]

Look up your state and county requirements. Some states require you to get a court order to be able to change your first name.

Edited July 14, 2015 by NLR

[aaron2020 11,651]

Since you are the USC, then your only choice to change your first name is a petition to the court. Marriage laws and immigration laws does not allow you to change your first name. Changing your first name has nothing to do with marriage or immigration.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Here are the steps my US husband took to change his name recently - totally separate from marriage or immigration as previously noted.

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He initially googled Name change and our state (Virginia) and found that a name change is done by the county and approved by a judge in the county we live in (may be different by state)

There was a small form to fill out (I mean literally 1 page) where he legally swore that he was who he said he was and then wanted to change his names from X to Y. Went to the Court house, had to be notarized first and then off to another area to file the name change itself. The folks there took the associated fee (less than $40) and it was sent to a judge for approval.

We received his official name change court papers approved and notarized a few weeks later in the mail. BINGO - he had his new name.

He has now had to file for a new Passport, go down to SS Office to update the name and then finally update his drivers license. After that he notified work and other places...every place is different in terms of what they require as proof but once you have the Drivers and passport you pretty much have the expected documentation.

Had he wanted to change from Bob Smith to John Jacob Jingleheimerschmidt - it would have been his perogative

Edited July 15, 2015 by Udella&Wiz