How do I change my last name to my husnand’s?

[helena17 2]

Hello everybody! I didn’t change my last name to my husbands and all my documents show my maiden name. I would really like to change it now while applying for removal of conditions.  I wasn’t sure how to do it so I called the USCIS. Their CS representative told me I need to change my last name through local courthouse first and enclose a document from court with my application.  I called the courthouse and they told me I have to go to SS office first and change my SS card. Has anybody done it ? Would SS change my name on their card if my green card shows my maiden name? And also if they do change it, do I send a copy of SS card with my marital name as a proof of name change ? Wouldn’t it just confuse them or make them feel the SS card is not mine since it has a different last name on it ? Thank you in advance. Anyone who went through this I would really appreciate your advice!

[EM_Vandaveer 2,369]

No, that's stupid. Don't listen to the misinformation line. Your marriage certificate is proof of name change. I was in the same situation, had my 2-year GC in my maiden name, too. Simply file the I-751 using your married name (with maiden name under "other names used") and you'll receive your 10-year GC in your married name. Then you can go to SSA, bank, etc. and change it on your other documents.

Edited February 14, 2019 by EM_Vandaveer

[helena17 2]

Thank you so much for your reply EM_Vandaveer! It gives me hope  did your marriage certificate indicate somehow that you are taking his last name? Or did it just have your maiden name?  Thank you again.  Actually that’s what I was hoping to hear from the USCIS representative . But they said I have to prove a “legal name change “. I agree that marriage certificate should be enough , it’s not like I’m trying to change my first name to something else because I don’t like it. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

54 minutes ago, helena17 said:

Thank you so much for your reply EM_Vandaveer! It gives me hope  did your marriage certificate indicate somehow that you are taking his last name? Or did it just have your maiden name?  Thank you again.  Actually that’s what I was hoping to hear from the USCIS representative . But they said I have to prove a “legal name change “. I agree that marriage certificate should be enough , it’s not like I’m trying to change my first name to something else because I don’t like it. 

Some states do make you annotate this when you get married while other states do not. I know for example that NC just have people sign the marriage license in the maiden name

[helena17 2]

3 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

Some states do make you annotate this when you get married while other states do not. I know for example that NC just have people sign the marriage license in the maiden name

Yes! We got married in Connecticut and it’s the same - just my maiden name.  That’s what worries me. Would my marriage certificate still work as legal name change document ?

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

15 minutes ago, helena17 said:

Yes! We got married in Connecticut and it’s the same - just my maiden name.  That’s what worries me. Would my marriage certificate still work as legal name change document ?

The marriage certificate and the ROC would work as the legal name change. 

[Ontarkie 13,915]

17 minutes ago, helena17 said:

Yes! We got married in Connecticut and it’s the same - just my maiden name.  That’s what worries me. Would my marriage certificate still work as legal name change document ?

Yes the marriage certificate will be enough. Mine in here in Arkansas only had my old last name( ex's last name)  not my new last name.  I have had no issues switching the names on anything.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,369]

1 hour ago, helena17 said:

Thank you so much for your reply EM_Vandaveer! It gives me hope  did your marriage certificate indicate somehow that you are taking his last name? Or did it just have your maiden name?  Thank you again.  Actually that’s what I was hoping to hear from the USCIS representative . But they said I have to prove a “legal name change “. I agree that marriage certificate should be enough , it’s not like I’m trying to change my first name to something else because I don’t like it. 

My TX marriage certificate only has my maiden name on it. It's still proof of name change. After all, it has my husband's name on it.  I know that some states, like California, for example do list the "name after marriage" as well, in addition of the maiden name.