AOS: married name or maiden name?

[nifiance 7]

Hey everyone

 

I've just printed out the AOS, AP, EAD and affidavit of support paperwork to get started on applying for my green card. My fiancé and I got married on February 11, I haven't got a SSN yet. I have a few questions. 

 

Should I get a SSN before doing the paperwork?

 

Can I use my married surname or do I need to keep using my maiden name? 

 

Do do I need to legally change my name or something? If so, how do I do that?

 

i really hope you guys can help me. You've never steered me wrong thus far. 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

18 minutes ago, nifiance said:

Hey everyone

 

I've just printed out the AOS, AP, EAD and affidavit of support paperwork to get started on applying for my green card. My fiancé and I got married on February 11, I haven't got a SSN yet. I have a few questions. 

 

Should I get a SSN before doing the paperwork?

 

Can I use my married surname or do I need to keep using my maiden name? 

 

Do do I need to legally change my name or something? If so, how do I do that?

 

i really hope you guys can help me. You've never steered me wrong thus far. 

Hi!

 

You don't need SSN for the paperwork, but you should go and apply ASAP in any case cause you will need it for other things and you won't be able to get it until your EAD arrives once your i-94 expires (or rather 14 days prior to its expiration). It would have been better to have done it prior to the marriage to avoid potential problems, but there shouldn't be a problem. You will apply for this in your maiden name since this is the name on your i-94 and in your passport.

 

You should put your married name on all the AOS forms if you are intending on changing to your husband's last name, so that your documents will arrive in this name. Your marriage certificate IS your name change document and you simply start using your new name once you marry to make it legal. Your EAD will be your first legal ID document with your new name. You can then use your EAD and your marriage certificate to go change your name on the SSC and any other places you might need to.

Edited February 23, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Agnesrsn 2]

On 2/23/2017 at 10:42 AM, Suss&Camm said:

You can then use your EAD and your marriage certificate to go change your name on the SSC and any other places you might need to.

I applied for SSN before marriage and then (really 2 weeks later) applied for adjustment due to name changed. I only had my marriage certificate and passport with maiden name, no EAD card was needed to do name change, they were also not too bothered about my passport being in my maiden name as I had certified copy of marriage certificate with me. It took lady few minutes to figure out how to push it through system but all she did it and I received my new card one week after.

If you do not have SSN I would just take your marriage certificate and passport (and I-94 if still valid) and apply for SSN card. It is free but prepare yourself for long queuing and waiting time once you inside. It took me 3,5h to apply for card first time round and about 30 min to do name change (mainly waiting, process itself takes 5-10 min max)

 

On the ASO forms, I have put my new name as per advices from forum users that went through that process already (I am awaiting for mailed NOA but cheque was cashed yesterday). Meantime, I have 'placed' my marriage in my country (just legal process required in Poland to recognise your marriage formed abroad) and booked appointment with my Consular at the end of March to apply for new passport with my new name. I do not know if that is the best way about it but it seems logical for me. 

Goodluck!

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

13 minutes ago, Agnesrsn said:

I applied for SSN before marriage and then (really 2 weeks later) applied for adjustment due to name changed. I only had my marriage certificate and passport with maiden name, no EAD card was needed to do name change, they were also not too bothered about my passport being in my maiden name as I had certified copy of marriage certificate with me. It took lady few minutes to figure out how to push it through system but all she did it and I received my new card one week after.

If you do not have SSN I would just take your marriage certificate and passport (and I-94 if still valid) and apply for SSN card. It is free but prepare yourself for long queuing and waiting time once you inside. It took me 3,5h to apply for card first time round and about 30 min to do name change (mainly waiting, process itself takes 5-10 min max)

 

On the ASO forms, I have put my new name as per advices from forum users that went through that process already (I am awaiting for mailed NOA but cheque was cashed yesterday). Meantime, I have 'placed' my marriage in my country (just legal process required in Poland to recognise your marriage formed abroad) and booked appointment with my Consular at the end of March to apply for new passport with my new name. I do not know if that is the best way about it but it seems logical for me. 

Goodluck!

Yes, it is true you shouldn't need your EAD. However many ppl on VJ run into problems trying to change their name on the SSC before having the EAD. That's why the advice of doing it after is normally easier. In a perfect world your way would work for everyone. 

Congrats

[lhazleton 7]

¡At the end what happened? I just got my NOA for my I-485 yesterday and I have the exact same problem. I-765 and I-131 came in married name and I-485 came in maiden name. 

[Scandi 4,168]

6 hours ago, lhazleton said:

¡At the end what happened? I just got my NOA for my I-485 yesterday and I have the exact same problem. I-765 and I-131 came in married name and I-485 came in maiden name. 

You will definitely want to contact USCIS about that as it will cost you around $500 to have your name changed on the greencard after it has already been printed. 

[lhazleton 7]

On 2017-6-6 at 6:42 PM, Scandi said:

You will definitely want to contact USCIS about that as it will cost you around $500 to have your name changed on the greencard after it has already been printed. 

I was available to do the change online and I got an email back confirming it. Thanks.