The US spouse name change on documents

[MrsAb2021 29]

Hello all,

 

I have been reading through the guides but can't seem to find the answer to what I am trying to find. We are currently in the K-1 process but I am trying to do research ahead of time. When the time comes for the Adjustment of status after marriage, my last name will change once we are married. I am the US citizen. When we send off the packet for the AOS for my fiance, is it okay that my last name will still be my maiden name on things such as my passport, ID, etc? Legally it will have changed and be listed on the marriage license, but I won't have a new passport or drivers license by that point. Is this going to cause problems for his AOS when the time comes? Or is it best to change my documents first, then send in his AOS after marriage?

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

It's fine that your name will be different in different places - your marriage certificate will show both your birth and your new married name, so that explains the change (and you will of course be sending that with your AOS docs). 

 

I'm the beneficiary and it took me over a year to get my social security card updated (cause of covid) into my married name - which then also impacted updating my medical insurance and my bank account. I still haven't update my passport and don't intend to, until it's due for renewal. 🙂

 

[MrsAb2021 29]

58 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

It's fine that your name will be different in different places - your marriage certificate will show both your birth and your new married name, so that explains the change (and you will of course be sending that with your AOS docs). 

 

I'm the beneficiary and it took me over a year to get my social security card updated (cause of covid) into my married name - which then also impacted updating my medical insurance and my bank account. I still haven't update my passport and don't intend to, until it's due for renewal. 🙂

 

Thanks so much! Just trying to research early to be prepared for when the time comes. 😃

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

2 hours ago, UsagiCosplay said:

Thanks so much! Just trying to research early to be prepared for when the time comes. 😃

No worries. Start using your married name straight after being married (definitely use it on the AOS forms) and get other accounts/documents updated as quickly as you can - but definitely don't let it delay you in applying for AOS.

 

Re your passport - totally up to you if you want it updating or not (just thinking about the cost of a new one here) - you're absolutely fine to travel on your old one with your birth name on. Because I'm the immigrant, I will have to carry my wedding certificate when I fly also, as my green card is in my married name - but as you're the US citizen, with a US passport, I don't think you'd need to take anything additional...I'm not an expert on that though!

[MrsAb2021 29]

13 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

No worries. Start using your married name straight after being married (definitely use it on the AOS forms) and get other accounts/documents updated as quickly as you can - but definitely don't let it delay you in applying for AOS.

 

Re your passport - totally up to you if you want it updating or not (just thinking about the cost of a new one here) - you're absolutely fine to travel on your old one with your birth name on. Because I'm the immigrant, I will have to carry my wedding certificate when I fly also, as my green card is in my married name - but as you're the US citizen, with a US passport, I don't think you'd need to take anything additional...I'm not an expert on that though!

Yeah that makes sense! I just didn't want to do anything wrong when I submit the paperwork. It's probably not as complicated as I am thinking LOL. Yeah passport renewal is expensive and mine is good for a few more years so better to wait for it to expire in the future.

[JeanneAdil 6,554]

This is very dependent on what you want

If you end up married in Morocco for any reason, Morocco, itself, does not change the last name of the wife

 

and many of us choose not to take on the last name of our new husband for some of the following reasons:

1.  any children from a prior marriage makes it hard for school, drs, hospitals when the kids have a different name than the mother

2.  the # of places you have to change it  / it was easy when i married and didn't own anything but now  ,  i would have had to change 

     deed

     titles of cars

     insurance policies

     credit card(s)

     SS card

     IRS  ( people forget to do this)

     utility companies

     and to change it on a mortgage means paying refinancing and paying new closing costs