maiden or husband's last name?

melissarolos · March 15, 2017

hi guys, i have a question.

im not sure if i have to put my maiden name or my husband's last name in my part? im the petitioner but since we got married last 2015 i havent change any driver's license or any identity to my husband's last name. all my identification is still under my maiden name.

what should i put? should i just continue with my maiden name?

or should i just put my huband's last name? would it be a problem because all my identification are still in my maiden name?

thank you so much..

neilsqueen · March 15, 2017

1 hour ago, melissarolos said:

hi guys, i have a question.

im not sure if i have to put my maiden name or my husband's last name in my part? im the petitioner but since we got married last 2015 i havent change any driver's license or any identity to my husband's last name. all my identification is still under my maiden name.

what should i put? should i just continue with my maiden name?

or should i just put my huband's last name? would it be a problem because all my identification are still in my maiden name?

thank you so much..

Are you talking about on immigration paperwork? If so, you can use your husband's name if you are planning to change your name in the future. I used my husband's name on all of our immigration paperwork and didn't change my name until after he came to the states because he had the only copy of our marriage certificate to take to his interview. I believe the instructions even say you can do that even if you haven't changed it over officially yet because you are married. Hope this helps.

PS: You may want to fill in your timeline.

Edited March 15, 2017 by neilsqueen

Amshep · March 15, 2017

Would be too difficult for you to change your ID, driver's license, passport and other documents?

If is not, I think you could try it, I think is good evidence for bona fide marriage too (if you need some). And if you go for it, don't try it in the middle of the process, but before or after is complete.

melissarolos · March 16, 2017

7 hours ago, neilsqueen said:

Are you talking about on immigration paperwork? If so, you can use your husband's name if you are planning to change your name in the future. I used my husband's name on all of our immigration paperwork and didn't change my name until after he came to the states because he had the only copy of our marriage certificate to take to his interview. I believe the instructions even say you can do that even if you haven't changed it over officially yet because you are married. Hope this helps.

PS: You may want to fill in your timeline.

yes it is for the i-130 form and actually for all the forms related to the CR1 visa process because im gonna petition my husband.

oh okay. i might just gonna put my husband's last name then. because there's a part saying list all previous name used including maiden name, that's why i was confused on what to put. yes of course im planning to change my last name into his in the future, hopefully soon though.

i was just afraid that it is going to be a problem since my passport that im gonna submit a copy of is still under my maiden name.

but you used your husband's last name in all your paper work and there's no problem in the process so i might just gonna put my husband's last name then.

it helps a lot. thank you so much for your respond.

melissarolos · March 16, 2017

7 hours ago, Amshep said:

Would be too difficult for you to change your ID, driver's license, passport and other documents?

If is not, I think you could try it, I think is good evidence for bona fide marriage too (if you need some). And if you go for it, don't try it in the middle of the process, but before or after is complete.

im not sure about the process to change my identification, but my goal is to send out all the papers by this end of the month.

so i dont think im gonna have enough time to change it.

you're right, since i dont have enough evidence too :/ i mean we had a daughter together, and pictures, chats/phone calls, but we dont have like joint account or property together. that's why im also afraid of getting denied because i dont have any strong evidence. what do you think?

you mean i should not put my husband's last name and just use my maiden name if i dont plan to change my identification before the process?

thank you so much for your respond, and im sorry for the additional questions

Amshep · March 16, 2017

I think I read in another of your posts that you were living with him before going back to USA? If that is true, it is a great evidence, even more if both of you were in the lease contract or in other vauchers that could prove that, besides of what you already have and the birth certificate of your daughter. (Look for more information about evidence: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/IR1_and_CR1_Immigrant_Visas)

Try to get as soon as possible the information about the procedure to change your last name, to know if you are able to make it before the time you start the paperwork.

But after thinking a little about, I'm almost sure that since you are the petitioner, it won't affect anything with the petition.

Still, take in count some aspects before going to the process, for example, if you already bought tickets to travel with your maiden name...

Edited March 16, 2017 by Amshep

neilsqueen · March 16, 2017

You do not have to change your name before sending the I-130 in. You also do not have to have any bank accounts or assets at this point together. It is a plus but not a must. Most people do not live together until their spouse comes to the states. Our case went from start to finish in 9 months. We didn't have any RFE's or problems whatsoever. As I stated, I used my husband's name on all of my paperwork and did not change my name on any government ID until he came to the states. We were already married a year at this point. All you have to do is go to the Social Security Administration and MVA with your marriage certificate when you are ready to change your name. For your passport, I'm not sure how to change it. I changed mine after it expired. You have to provide the marriage certificate for that too. Just be sure to follow the guides here on VJ and the information on www.state.travel.com . These will be your best friends! lol The foremost authority is the www.state.travel.com site. There is an excellent flow chart to follow for each step along the journey. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I'm not an expert, but I followed the instructions to a T and did tons of research. This site is amazing with their guides too. You will be fine sweetie. Best wishes!

Gargalmon22 · March 16, 2017

I don't think it is a big deal if u tk up ur husband's name. You can wait for a few days change your passport name to your husband's name and apply. I did that. But many don't even change and don't face problems cz it's personal matter. You need to prove your marriage is genuine so send all proof accordingly. All the very best.