Divorce- 10 year green card holder

[Someonefrombefore 4]

Hello,

It's been several years since I was on this site.  I was once very active on this site and it breaks my heart to have to come here with my current situation.

I moved to the US from Canada in 2008.  I have a 10 year green card which expires in 2022.  My husband and I have been married for 9 years but sadly, we are divorcing.
We are the best of friends but simply, we don't love one another like that anymore and it's time to move on. 

I have never felt the urge to naturalize and become a citizen.  What are my options? Can I stay in the US and just keep renewing my green card or do I need to become a citizen to stay?
I prefer to live here and not return to Canada at this time. 

Any information would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks. 

 

[Merrytooth 5,748]

You already have 10 years Green card, you can stay in US and keep renewing the Green Card as you want.

 

There is no law to comply you to apply for US citizenship.

 

 

[Someonefrombefore 4]

Thank you so much Merry.  I obviously have to inform them of the divorce correct?
Do I just send in the paperwork and my new address when everything is said and done or just wait until it's time to renew in 2022? 
I'm most likely moving to another state as well.

[Gorkhali 214]

i work with a Canadian national in US. She is in my team and she has same situation like you. She has been here in USA for long long time and she is not naturalized. I know that 'coz she took couple of days off to file for her renewal of GC

[Someonefrombefore 4]

Thank you very much Bunny, you and Merry have put my mind at ease during this sad time.
I'll just file for renewal when the time comes.  I appreciate your time. 

[Merrytooth 5,748]

3 minutes ago, Someonefrombefore said:

Thank you so much Merry.  I obviously have to inform them of the divorce correct?
Do I just send in the paperwork and my new address when everything is said and done or just wait until it's time to renew in 2022? 
I'm most likely moving to another state as well.

You can submit your change of address online.

https://egov.uscis.gov/coa/displayCOAForm.do

 

Best wishes to your new life.

[Someonefrombefore 4]

You are amazing.  Hugs and thanks again. 

[andy78 178]

5 minutes ago, Someonefrombefore said:

I obviously have to inform them of the divorce correct?

 

No. The divorce will not impact on your immigration status. You just need to report the address change when it happens.

 

If you decide to apply for citizenship later, you will need to fill your marriage/divorce history on the forms and include a copy of your divorce decree as part of the documentation.

[Someonefrombefore 4]

Thank you Andy!!! Much appreciated!  

[Someonefrombefore 4]

8 minutes ago, andy78 said:

 

No. The divorce will not impact on your immigration status. You just need to report the address change when it happens.

 

If you decide to apply for citizenship later, you will need to fill your marriage/divorce history on the forms and include a copy of your divorce decree as part of the documentation.

Sorry one last thing...what about name change? I most likely will go back to my maiden name.  I'm sure there are forms for that as well along with the address change that I could file at the same time? 

[Merrytooth 5,748]

8 minutes ago, Someonefrombefore said:

Sorry one last thing...what about name change? I most likely will go back to my maiden name.  I'm sure there are forms for that as well along with the address change that I could file at the same time? 

If you want to change your name after divorce.. you have to apply for new Green Card (Form I-90, $455) to reflect name change. (And you still have to renew it at 2022).

 

Then you also need to update your name with SSA (get a new SS card with name change but same SSN),  new driver license, update your bank account data, new passport with new name.. etc

=> All your "official" documents should match.

 

Or wait to renew the green card at 2022 and change your name altogether.

 

Or apply for US citizenship and change your name at the same time.

 

Sorry, the whole name change is so troublesome and money-wasting.

[Someonefrombefore 4]

Just now, Merrytooth said:

If you want to change your name after divorce.. you have to apply for new Green Card (Form I-90, $455) to reflect name change. (And you still have to renew it at 2022).

 

Then you also need to update your name with SSA (get a new SS card with name change but same SSN),  new driver license, update your bank account data, new passport with new name.. etc

=> All your "official" documents should match.

 

Or wait to renew the green card at 2022 and change your name altogether.

 

Or apply for US citizenship and change your name at the same time.

 

Sorry, the whole name change is so troublesome and money-wasting.

Yeah now that you mention it, I think I'll just wait until 2022 and change my name and all that good stuff then. Thanks Merry. 

[Frage 67]

6 hours ago, Merrytooth said:

If you want to change your name after divorce.. you have to apply for new Green Card (Form I-90, $455) to reflect name change. (And you still have to renew it at 2022).

 

Then you also need to update your name with SSA (get a new SS card with name change but same SSN),  new driver license, update your bank account data, new passport with new name.. etc

=> All your "official" documents should match.

 

Or wait to renew the green card at 2022 and change your name altogether.

 

Or apply for US citizenship and change your name at the same time.

 

Sorry, the whole name change is so troublesome and money-wasting.

If she was to file I-90 for the name change in 2017, her card will expire to be renewed in 2027. 

 

Someonefrombefore, you can change your address once you have your petition out. There is no need to change addresses if you don't have a petition. Also there is no need to inform about divorce. Just will out the I-90 with your maiden name after your divorce is final and change address after you receive NOA1 if you happen to move after you sent it. If you're already moved, then file I-90 you put down your new address anyway. Again your new card will automatically be valid for another 10 years. 

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Frage is right.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/replace-green-card

 

 If your Form I-90 application is approved, you will be mailed a replacement green card with a 10-year expiration date from the date it is issued.

 

 

[Mollie09 1,543]

10 hours ago, Frage said:

If she was to file I-90 for the name change in 2017, her card will expire to be renewed in 2027. 

 

Someonefrombefore, you can change your address once you have your petition out. There is no need to change addresses if you don't have a petition. Also there is no need to inform about divorce. Just will out the I-90 with your maiden name after your divorce is final and change address after you receive NOA1 if you happen to move after you sent it. If you're already moved, then file I-90 you put down your new address anyway. Again your new card will automatically be valid for another 10 years. 

 

You need to change your address with an AR-11 regardless of whether or not you have a petition pending. All LPRs do.