Marriage license vs marriage certificate

[pinkpaws 5]

Hi!

 

We got married in CA and have what is called the (1) license and certificate of marriage and (2) marriage certificate.

(1) shows that I took my husband's surname.  (2) only shows my maiden name. I am filling all AOS forms using my married name.

 

Should I produce both copies for the I-130 and I-485 forms? Instructions say copy of "marriage certificate" so I am unsure if that means (1) or (2)?

 

Thanks for any help!

Edited January 17, 2017 by pinkpaws

[sebastianshaw 97]

Marriage licence is the approval from the local government to get married within a stipulated time. 

 

What you need for AOS is the Marriage Certificate, which basically is the documentary proof that a marriage did take place and was registered with the local authorities. 

 

 

 

[pinkpaws 5]

Thanks! My marriage certificate has my maiden name on it though (doesn't show that I took my husband's family name). I'm filling all my forms using my married name. Is that going to pose any problems? 

[sebastianshaw 97]

Well i dont know about your state. But in my state, it clearly mentions names after marriage and pre marriage. 

 

isnt that the case in California ?

Edited January 17, 2017 by sebastianshaw

[pinkpaws 5]

Not on the marriage certificate, unfortunately It does show both names (before and after marriage) on the license though. That's why I was wondering if I should send both license and certificate to reflect both names. 

[sebastianshaw 97]

the way you are describing the situation i think the solution you have in mind is correct,

but i recon, wait for some other people on the forum who might be familiar with the process in California to confirm the same

[pinkpaws 5]

Thank you sebastianshaw! 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

In TX (and mny other states) all marriage certificates have only the maiden name. This is not a problem. Your husbands name being on there is enough. By filing the AOS in your new married name you are showing that you are choosing his last name as your new legal last name. The certificate is important to show you actually fulfilled the demands of the K1 visa (or simply that you are married and eligible to aos if not a K1) and got married not that you changed names, which you can choose to do or not to do.  

In short, all you need is the certificate.

Edited January 17, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[freshgreengrass 12]

Yeah, I filled out all the forms with my new last name (my husband's), and USCIS sent me the NOAs with my new last name. Our marriage certificate just shows my maiden name, so I sent in a photocopy of the envelope it came in just in case (ie, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Fresh Green Grass) I dunno if that was necessary, but I also had proof of health insurance, etc all in my new married name. So far so good!