Adjusting from B1/B2

[wolfyzheart 1]

Hello! 

 

My fiancée and I are planning on getting married soon. She arrived here in late December, and recently we decided we don't want her going back to Mexico and doing long distance again after over 4 years of it. My question is, before we start the marriage and filing process and all, does one of us need to take the others last name to hold a good case? We both want to keep our last names, but we fear immigration will decline our application thinking we are just getting married for her to immigrate rather than us actually wanting to get married for love. Any advice is useful, and thanks in advanced!! 

[OldUser 4,815]

3 minutes ago, wolfyzheart said:

Hello! 

 

My fiancée and I are planning on getting married soon. She arrived here in late December, and recently we decided we don't want her going back to Mexico and doing long distance again after over 4 years of it. My question is, before we start the marriage and filing process and all, does one of us need to take the others last name to hold a good case? We both want to keep our last names, but we fear immigration will decline our application thinking we are just getting married for her to immigrate rather than us actually wanting to get married for love. Any advice is useful, and thanks in advanced!! 

Name change occurs AFTER marriage, based on marriage certificate. Also, name change is optional in immigration process. Unless one of you wants to change name (not because of immigration!) it's not required.

Edited March 27 by OldUser

[wolfyzheart 1]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

Name change occurs AFTER marriage, based on marriage certificate. 

 

Ah yes, we do know that! Sorry I did not make that clear, but we are looking to have everything planned ahead of time. I just want to know if it is okay if we don't change our names, will immigration raise an eyebrow at all when I petition for her adjustment of status?

[OldUser 4,815]

7 minutes ago, wolfyzheart said:

 

Ah yes, we do know that! Sorry I did not make that clear, but we are looking to have everything planned ahead of time. I just want to know if it is okay if we don't change our names, will immigration raise an eyebrow at all when I petition for her adjustment of status?

No, they won't raise an eyebrow. Many people never change their names in marriage.

 

They will raise eye brow if you don't file taxes jointly, don't comingle finances (joint account), don't include both names on lease / mortgage etc, live separately etc etc. Those are important after marriage, not the name change.

Edited March 27 by OldUser

[Crazy Cat 39,262]

7 minutes ago, wolfyzheart said:

I just want to know if it is okay if we don't change our names, will immigration raise an eyebrow at all when I petition for her adjustment of status?

1. No.

2.  Becoming an "A" student of the process will make your journey smoother.

 

 

[wolfyzheart 1]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

No, they won't raise an eyebrow. Many people never change their names in marriage.

 

They will raise eye brow if you don't file taxes jointly, don't comingle finances (joint account), don't include both names on lease / mortgage etc, live separately etc etc. Those are important after marriage, not the name change.

 

Ok this is great to know!! Can my fiancee be added to my lease even while we are adjusting her status? And get added to my bank account even while adjusting status? 

[OldUser 4,815]

Just now, wolfyzheart said:

 

Ok this is great to know!! Can my fiancee be added to my lease even while we are adjusting her status? And get added to my bank account even while adjusting status? 

Depends on the bank and landlord. Talk to them.

[JeanneAdil 6,202]

i didn't change mine and filed all paperwork with my name different than his /its ok not to change name and if she changes her mind later, it can be done when applying for naturalization. 

 

To me it was important to keep my former name as my grandchildren used that name and it was easier for the school personal for all of us to have same last name for me to pick them up at school if need be.

 

Women don't have to change their name and BTW some men do 

 

[Crazy Cat 39,262]

My wife never changed her last name at all.  It eliminated a lot of hassle along the immigration journey.

[mam521 1,725]

I didn't change my name.  Too much hassle, especially when you involve multiple countries.  We also were established with mortgage, title/deed for the house, vehicle registration etc, etc, etc so it just turns into a giant headache money grab (IMHO, of course  ). And, I've had my name since I was born...how does my identity suddenly change when I get married? 

 

Anyway, to each their own but for the purposes of immigration, it doesn't matter.  

[JeanneAdil 6,202]

1 hour ago, wolfyzheart said:

 

Ok this is great to know!! Can my fiancee be added to my lease even while we are adjusting her status? And get added to my bank account even while adjusting status? 

apply for SS #  at very beginning of this process /that will help

[wolfyzheart 1]

Thank you all for the advice so far, and thanks for the information on the I-130 process for me to study. I appreciate you all. I will do my due diligence to make sure everything is as smooth as possible! 

[Redro 4,600]

1 hour ago, wolfyzheart said:

 

Ok this is great to know!! Can my fiancee be added to my lease even while we are adjusting her status? And get added to my bank account even while adjusting status? 

Depends on your leasing company and depends on the bank you use. BOA allowed me to open a bank account without a SSN but my husband was the “holder” of the account. So, if you have issues with your bank- you might consider opening a new account. You can update the account later with her social. 

Edited March 27 by Redro