Permanent Resident Name Change After Divorce

[Roxy38 0]

Hi. I’m a permanent resident holding a ten year greencard. I recently got divorced and I petitioned for my name change which was approved and mentioned on the divorce decree. I already had my ssn, driver’s license, bank accounts, etc changed back to my maiden name except my greencard. I am eligible for citizenship on February 2019 since I will meet the 5year rule by May 2019. Should I change my greencard name now using form I-90 and pay almost $500 or should I just wait until I apply fof citizenship next year? Would there be any issues if I wait until I apply for naturalization? Please help. 

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Thread is moved from the Off Topic forum to the US Citizenship main forum -- immigration-related concern is naturalization.

[Roxy38 0]

Any advice? Please help. 

[Veejoyce 0]

On 6/30/2018 at 8:18 PM, Roxy38 said:

Any advice? Please help. 

Hi! This is also my question. Had a divorce  recently and court issue name change since I wanted to change my name back to my maiden name on my legal documents. But I found out that my name on my passport wouldn't be change since I'm still a Filipino citizen and they won't recognize my divorce. And I don't want to have different last names. Can I just wait until I file for naturalization which is more than 2 years from now? Will I be facing some problems in the future if I delay changing names in my green card?

[iPhone5s 2]

I have the same question - change of last name after divorce.  

[Neickers 46]

On 4/15/2018 at 10:44 PM, Roxy38 said:

Hi. I’m a permanent resident holding a ten year greencard. I recently got divorced and I petitioned for my name change which was approved and mentioned on the divorce decree. I already had my ssn, driver’s license, bank accounts, etc changed back to my maiden name except my greencard. I am eligible for citizenship on February 2019 since I will meet the 5year rule by May 2019. Should I change my greencard name now using form I-90 and pay almost $500 or should I just wait until I apply fof citizenship next year? Would there be any issues if I wait until I apply for naturalization? Please help. 

I would say wait, because at the end of the day once you become a citizen you are no longer required to have your greencard, therefor becoming void. Once you are in the process of citizenship youll have your opportunity to change everything. For now when applying you meed to use the maiden name as it appears on your greencard. you can use those $500 towards your citizenship

 

[py6 43]

Wait until N400 interview. At the interview you can present your officer the legal name change paper. 

[Villanelle 4,121]

In general you are allowed to have mismatching ID documents as long as you have documentation showing the discrepancy. For example when someone marries and takes their spouses last name there will be a point where they have ID in both their married name and maiden name. Most commonly on VJ its questions about can I travel with my passport in my maiden name and GC in married name. The answer is yes- you just need to show your marriage certificate. Its the same for divorce. When you legally obtain a name you dont 'lose' the old one- its not wiped from existence. 

 

But you should know that having mismatching documents can cause issues so you want to try to get everything matching as soon as you can. Most issues with mismatching documents can be resolved by showing proof of both of them and where a change was made causing the new document to mismatch. DMV, airlines, banks, employers etc are all generally fine in this. You may struggle though if the person reviewing it doesnt understand how to resolve it in which case getting a supervisor involved usually helps.  However you may encounter something where they insist on matching documents like getting a security clearance

 

 

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