Name change for spouse on I-130 and I-485

[ToastedMuffin 4]

Important information is highlighted in bold

 

My wife and I want to change her name to take my last name. Our marriage certificate just lists our current names as they are since there was no option to change the name here. From what I've researched, that is still okay and the best way to change her name is while applying for the I-485.

 

So what I've done is changed her last name on the form to my last name, and her middle name is now her maiden name (I assume that is okay?). The only exceptions are for areas on forms that ask for her name as it appears on a form, and I've put her old name under areas where that is applicable.

 

I'm also concerned about the I-131 because there isn't a spot to put former names, so do I put her new name or her name as it is on her passport?

 

The last thing I'm concerned about is writing her name in non-Roman letters. On the marriage certificate and the rest of the forms, we're using her name with Roman letters (that's how it appears in the marriage certificate/social security card, and it's how she's been using her name here. Her passport even has her name in roman letters even though that's not technically the native way of writing her name).

 

So on Part 4 of the I-485 "Information About Beneficiary" it says to type/print her name and foreign address in their native written language if it does not use roman letters. Is this safe to skip? She lives here in the US so she has no foreign address. Also, Part 4, number 5 says "Other Names Used" but it doesn't say anything about foreign letters, so I've left her old name romanized).

 

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance to those who answer.

Edited May 20, 2021 by ToastedMuffin

[payxibka 10,045]

You might get pushback on the middle name change if the state you married in does not allow that name to be changed upon marriage.   A middle name change in many states requires a filing with the  court.

[Paul Hanaki 72]

her name should be the same on every form. Also as the other poster stated you can't normally change a middle name via marriage. There is no issue changing the last name as that is normal here with a marriage certificate. 

[ToastedMuffin 4]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will leave out the middle name and just ask about it during the interview.

 

What about this section? We are using Roman letters for her new name and her address is here with me. My inclination is to leave it blank because there is plenty of documentation with her name in Roman letters (including passport and social security card), and it's not like I can write her first name in her native language and my last name in Roman letters. I believe we can get a free 30 minute consultation with an immigration lawyer where I am (hopefully they're okay if we bring filled out forms), so I'm considering doing that as well to ask this question and maybe a few others.