Name change AFTER Green Card?

[Zin-Zin 21]

We got married a long time ago. My wife did not change her last name. 

We're in the States now. She has her green card, and she has decided to change her name to match me and the kids. 

We're in Texas and she's from France. 

Does anyone know the ins and outs of this process? I know that she'll have to go to the DPS. 

How does she change it on her green card and the visa she has in her passport? 

[Dashinka 24,598]

This should be helpful.  Essentially she will need to file an I90, pay the fee and provide a copy of the marriage certificate.  Others may know better, but I believe it is best to update the GC first, then she can look at other items like the DL, etc.

 

Good Luck!

 

https://www.uscis.gov/tools/uscis-tools-and-resources/information-about-your-immigration-document/updating-or-correcting-your-documents

Edited May 20 by Dashinka

[Zin-Zin 21]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

This should be helpful.  Essentially she will need to file an I90, pay the fee and provide a copy of the marriage certificate.  Others may know better, but I believe it is best to update the GC first, then she can look at other items like the DL, etc.

 

Good Luck!

 

https://www.uscis.gov/tools/uscis-tools-and-resources/information-about-your-immigration-document/updating-or-correcting-your-documents

Thank you!

[mam521 2,103]

Also, many people wait until they file for citizenship so they aren't stuck paying additional I-90 fees, if she's interested in citizenship.  

[Bob in Boston 734]

My wife changed her last name on everything but her green card. She left that in her maiden name until her oath. Just go to the DMV, Social security and your banks and change your name with the marriage license. Save your money on the I-90.

[OldUser 6,890]

47 minutes ago, Bob in Boston said:

My wife changed her last name on everything but her green card. She left that in her maiden name until her oath. Just go to the DMV, Social security and your banks and change your name with the marriage license. Save your money on the I-90.

What does she do when she has to renew her Driver's License and show proof of status? Do workers there get stuck seeing different names on GC and DL and does she have to show additional paperwork to show name change?

[mam521 2,103]

49 minutes ago, OldUser said:

What does she do when she has to renew her Driver's License and show proof of status? Do workers there get stuck seeing different names on GC and DL and does she have to show additional paperwork to show name change?

I'd guess a social would work fine with proof of residency.  Nothing stopping her from taking the GC with marriage license, too.  Many DMV's are doing SAVE verifications anyway these days.  

[OldUser 6,890]

3 minutes ago, mam521 said:

I'd guess a social would work fine with proof of residency.  Nothing stopping her from taking the GC with marriage license, too.  Many DMV's are doing SAVE verifications anyway these days.  

I'm in California, pretty sure was asked for GC few times that I renewed my DL. How does SAVE work with names not matching? Wouldn't it have the same name as on GC?

Edited May 20 by OldUser

[mam521 2,103]

4 minutes ago, OldUser said:

I'm in California, pretty sure was asked for GC few times that I renewed my DL. How does SAVE work with names not matching? Wouldn't it have the same name as on GC?

I think the SSA record is king here.  That's the one that you're told to update first which will provide any cross verification of records for names and status.  

[Bob in Boston 734]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

What does she do when she has to renew her Driver's License and show proof of status? Do workers there get stuck seeing different names on GC and DL and does she have to show additional paperwork to show name change?

No, Here in Mass they actually have files on everything in the DMV and crossrefrence the name. When we first did it we produced Marriage licence, Green card and social security card. Yes they were mixed and matched but the marriage licence allows you to change your last name on the state level. and thats whet we did. When we did I751 we submitted her licence and mine to show same address and name. Still kept green card in maiden name as it matches her passport name. DMV used to changing Brides name... We even had the real ID.

Edited May 20 by Bob in Boston

[Ontarkie 14,280]

~~Moved to Moving HEre and Your New Life, from Ir1/CR1 P&P- as the OP's wife is done with visa processing.~~

[Zin-Zin 21]

9 hours ago, Bob in Boston said:

My wife changed her last name on everything but her green card. She left that in her maiden name until her oath. Just go to the DMV, Social security and your banks and change your name with the marriage license. Save your money on the I-90.

 

We were married in South Korea and don't have a marriage license, just the marriage form from Korea as well as the US embassy. Same, same? 

[Bob in Boston 734]

8 hours ago, Zin-Zin said:

 

We were married in South Korea and don't have a marriage license, just the marriage form from Korea as well as the US embassy. Same, same? 

not sure, is it translated into english? This may be a game changer. would have to see if they are close to a USA marriage cert.

[Zin-Zin 21]

11 hours ago, Bob in Boston said:

not sure, is it translated into english? This may be a game changer. would have to see if they are close to a USA marriage cert.

It is in English and it was sufficient for us to ger her green card, if that matters

[top_secret 2,451]

 

21 hours ago, Zin-Zin said:

We were married in South Korea and don't have a marriage license, just the marriage form from Korea as well as the US embassy. Same, same? 

 

What was it you had from the US Embassy?????

 

My wife was refused changing her name with Social Security using our Costa Rica marriage certificate.  They told he she has to change her green card first.  The Costa Rica marriage certificate is obviously Spanish but we have a certified English translation.  I was not there and am not sure how well my wife was prepared to argue with them so I would certainly be interested in hearing the experiences of others with foreign marriage certificates.