Changing my last name

[Kiki3 0]

Me and my husband just got married in South Dakota. I wanna get his last name, but on the marriage certificate stands my maiden name. Should I file I-864 in my or his last name? 

[aaron2020 11,651]

Your marriage should have your maiden name.  

 

Use your married name for the I-864.

[Dashinka 23,242]

I agree, file all your immigration documents in your married name (I485/I131/I765/I854).  Not all marriage certificates show the specific name change, and even if they don’t, they still function as a legal name change document when either party of the marriage wants to change their family name.

 

Good Luck!

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[payxibka 10,044]

On 3/22/2019 at 1:31 AM, Kiki3 said:

Me and my husband just got married in South Dakota. I wanna get his last name, but on the marriage certificate stands my maiden name. Should I file I-864 in my or his last name? 

Has your name legally changed?

[pushbrk 12,106]

37 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Has your name legally changed?

It doesn't matter.  Maiden names are always on marriage certificates in most places.  That's how you can document that the Mary Jones on the Birth Certificate is the same Mary Jones that married Mary Smith.

 

The married name (if taking one is intended or required) should be used on the petition and visa application IF it is possible to get a new passport in that name before the visa interview.  There is no need to complete any legal process except legal marriage, in order to use the intended married name on the petition.

[payxibka 10,044]

1 minute ago, pushbrk said:

It doesn't matter.  Maiden names are always on marriage certificates in most places.  That's how you can document that the Mary Jones on the Birth Certificate is the same Mary Jones that married Mary Smith.

 

The married name (if taking one is intended or required) should be used on the petition and visa application IF it is possible to get a new passport in that name before the visa interview.  There is no need to complete any legal process except legal marriage, in order to use the intended married name on the petition.

Not how it works in my state.   When we applied for the marriage license we had to indicate what the post marital names will be.

[pushbrk 12,106]

6 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Not how it works in my state.   When we applied for the marriage license we had to indicate what the post marital names will be.

That does not conflict with what I said, unless you are saying that the maiden name does NOT appear on the certificate or license if on same page, as well.  Mary Smith does not marry Bill Smith unless Mary and Jim already have the name.

Aside:  The day my first wife and I became engaged we had been in my car with several other people.  Two of the woman in the car that day were engaged within a month to men with the same last name as their own already.  Just a rare factoid.

 

Edited April 2, 2019 by pushbrk

[Kiki3 0]

2 hours ago, pushbrk said:

It doesn't matter.  Maiden names are always on marriage certificates in most places.  That's how you can document that the Mary Jones on the Birth Certificate is the same Mary Jones that married Mary Smith.

 

The married name (if taking one is intended or required) should be used on the petition and visa application IF it is possible to get a new passport in that name before the visa interview.  There is no need to complete any legal process except legal marriage, in order to use the intended married name on the petition.

What if I can't get new passport? 

 

[Just Paul 4,591]

8 minutes ago, Kiki3 said:

What if I can't get new passport? 

You should be able to get it either your married or maiden name.  It depends on your nationality as to what it takes to get a new passport.   

 

For the Philippines we simply filed a report of marriage after our wedding.   When she applied for a passport she put her last name as mine.  Our marriage certificate didn't say what her last name would be.

[pushbrk 12,106]

22 minutes ago, Kiki3 said:

What if I can't get new passport? 

 

Possibly useless hypothetical.  Why wouldn't you be able to get a new passport?  Let's deal with reality here.

[Michael&Karen 46]

15 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Possibly useless hypothetical.  Why wouldn't you be able to get a new passport?  Let's deal with reality here.

I have the same question since I'm from Mexico... Even though I married a USC my name would stay the same way... Here your passport would have your same last names so that's why I'm confused too.