PH Middle Name Change for AOS

[Wings20 0]

Hi Everyone,

 

Posting my question here for PH spouses.

We live in Maryland and got married in DC. My PH passport expires in 2029. I don't have an SSN or DMV DL yet.

 

On the AOS forms - what would you recommend using for the Middle Name and Last Name after marriage?

 

We prefer the PH naming convention for my married name. If we use this, will there be any potential issues when it comes to SSN, DMV DL, Passport, IO, Bank Accounts, etc.?

• First Name + Middle Name (Father's Last Name) + Last Name (Husband's Last Name)

 

As an alternative, should we just keep my current middle + last name and only add my husband's name at the end - and then perhaps change it later during Naturalization?

• For AOS/Green card: First Name + Middle Name (Mother) + Last Name (Father Husband) = which would be dreadfully long!
• On Naturalization: First Name + Middle Name (Father) + Last Name (Husband)

 

We welcome any thoughts and experiences on this. Thank you!

[MarryMe987654 244]

Hello,

 

I am using my first name + maiden last name (my father's last name) + husband's last name on all my documents (passport, credit cards, bank statements, EAD/AP combo card, greencard, driver's license) and no problem so far. I used the same format for my AOS as well. Just make sure to be consistent about your name use after getting married to avoid issues.

Edited May 25, 2021 by MarryMe987654

[Hank_ 9,174]

My wife did the same as MarryMe, she use conventional Philippine naming format on all documents (SSA, DL, green card).   Once in awhile USCIS will kick up a fuss regarding the middle name, most times not.  As MarryMe said - be consistent with ALL documents.

 

SSA can be a problem at times, but it can be corrected once you get the green card with the new naming.   And all of it can be made official when you complete naturalization in  3 years.

[Villanelle 4,122]

The general order is USCIS-->SSA->DMV-->banks/insurance/employers.

 

USCIS will consider your name to be what is shown on your passport/ printed on the visa that is initially issued to you. This is the name they have on file for you in the SAVE/Everify system until it is updated to show differently. As a K visa holder you were issued a visa in your maiden name ex- Jane Smith. If you obtained your SSN during the 90 day K visa window it would be issued as Jane Smith regardless if you were married or not or sought to use your new married name because SSA uses the SAVE system to verify your name/immigration status- so they will only issue a SS card in the name the SAVE system says and USCIS controls what the SAVE system displays. 

 

Once you married and file your AOS, USCIS will update your name in the SAVE system when the EAD is issued.

 

What is printed on your EAD will be the name eventually printed on your greencard as it is the current name USCIS has for you in the SAVE system and is the only name SSA will issue or update your SS card to show. A citizen can update their name through a marriage or divorce with SSA by showing the respective marriage/divorce document however non citizens must have their name/immigration status verified in order to obtain or update a SS card so in cases of a name change due to marriage or divorce the immigrant must first update USCIS on the change so its first reflected in the SAVE system and then can bring the appropriate documentation to SSA who will verify with SAVE and process the name change in the SS system accordingly.

 

 

If you summited your 485+765 as Jane Smith Doe and the EAD was issued as such then that is your name in SAVE. You would bring your EAD to SSA along with your marriage certificate and they will update or issue your SS card. Middle names are not considered part of your legal name according to SSA policy so your SS card will most likely be issued as Jane Doe, it may or may not show a middle initial Jane S Doe or middle name Jane Smith Doe. As long as the first and last name are correct its fine.

 

DMVs have different policies depending on which state they are in. Some states allow licenses w/o verifying immigration status but most do require verification through SAVE and also require your SS card to be accurate. You would bring your EAD Jane Smith Doe + SS card showing Jane Doe (middle initial/name or lack of is irrelevant) +marriage certificate +any other documentation required listed on state DMV website that is applicable and they will issue you a DL accordingly. Some DMVs allow only the middle initial to be displayed, others require the full middle name to be printed or may even allow you to elect to omit it.

 

Hence the general order is USCIS->SSA->DMV-

 

As Hank explained above on occasion USCIS gives people a hard time doing a name change as you described. This is because technically USCIS can only change your name based on a legal name change document being presented to them. A marriage certificate is a legal name change document that allows for a variety of name changes like taking on the other spouses last name or hyphenating them. Most jurisdictions do not allow for first or middle name changes during marriage. Because its customary in some cultures to do what you described above (using former last name as middle name) as a courtesy USCIS usually processes it. Just make sure you enter everything into the correct fields (first, middle, last) and when you get your EAD check it for accuracy. You can google a sample EAD - the most popular sample uses the name Test (first) Void (middle) Specimen (last). On the front its displayed as Specimen, Test V. On the back it shows specimen <test <void. Thats where you will be able to tell if they did infact shift your name the way you wanted and thats the way you will want to enter it on SS application for SSN. 

 

 

[MarryMe987654 244]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention SSA. I first applied as first name + my mother's last name + my father's last name. After getting married, I returned with a marriage certificate and had it changed to first name + my father's last name + husband's last name. This is before I applied for AOS so the only supporting document that I brought to SSA is my marriage certificate. No issues encountered for me.

[Talako 785]

7 hours ago, Villanelle said:

As Hank explained above on occasion USCIS gives people a hard time doing a name change as you described. This is because technically USCIS can only change your name based on a legal name change document being presented to them. A marriage certificate is a legal name change document that allows for a variety of name changes like taking on the other spouses last name or hyphenating them. Most jurisdictions do not allow for first or middle name changes during marriage. Because its customary in some cultures to do what you described above (using former last name as middle name) as a courtesy USCIS usually processes it. Just make sure you enter everything into the correct fields (first, middle, last) and when you get your EAD check it for accuracy. You can google a sample EAD - the most popular sample uses the name Test (first) Void (middle) Specimen (last). On the front its displayed as Specimen, Test V. On the back it shows specimen <test <void. Thats where you will be able to tell if they did infact shift your name the way you wanted and thats the way you will want to enter it on SS application for SSN. 

 

 

My wife was one of these people that received a hard time at AOS.  They changed her middle name to the "American" style, and told her to change it back later at naturalization.

 

For her, she will get everything synced up here in 2 or 3 months hopefully.  For now she has two names, a marriage certificate, and a story.

 

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by Talako