Name change (beneficiary)

[ope 0]

I’m the beneficiary (husband-to-be) currently at the DOS stage. I want to legally shorten my last name. At what point in (or after) the process can I do this? I’ve heard it’s possible to do this on the I-485 after marriage?

[Crazy Cat 43,591]

For USCIS, you can use any combination of the names on the marriage certificate.  You can't shorten the spelling of names.  For example, Mary Smith married John Doe.  She can use Mary Smith, Mary Doe, Mary Smith Doe, or Mary-Smith-Doe as her new, legal name . 

Otherwise, I would wait until naturalization to become a US citizen to make the name change.

 

You can use new legal name on all USCIS paperwork.....and everywhere else.

Edited Monday at 11:25 AM by Crazy Cat

[Dashinka 25,437]

I agree with @Crazy Cat, since you are changing your last/family name, you can do that at the AOS stage using the marriage certificate regardless if the marriage certificate has a specific name change section.

 

Good Luck!

[JeanneAdil 6,891]

this is for the man (husband to be )  , he must do this thru  a court order as they will need to check criminal records , etc

 

In most cases, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name. To do so, you may need to file paperwork and appear before a judge to complete the process. Find your local government website and contact your circuit court to get information about how you can legally change your name.Feb 2, 2024

[Crazy Cat 43,591]

36 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

this is for the man (husband to be )  , he must do this thru  a court order as they will need to check criminal records , etc

 Do you have a source from USCIS?  The USCIS source I have seen does not distinguish between male or female.

Edited Monday at 04:30 PM by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 43,591]

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-1-part-e-chapter-5

"Name After Marriage or Divorce

A married person may retain their pre-marital name or use a different legal married name (such as a spouse’s surname or a hyphenated name combining the pre-marital name and spouse’s surname). This change is often dependent on the married person’s preferences and may not be the name as it appears on a marriage license or certificate. However, if the marriage occurred in the United States, the officer should refer to the applicable state law to determine if the name change should be reflected on the marriage license or certificate.

Similarly, a divorce might result in a change of name. Such change may be reflected on the divorce decree or order in support of the decree. As with marriages, the officer should refer to the applicable state law to determine if the name change should be reflected on the divorce decree."

Edited Monday at 04:19 PM by Crazy Cat

[Dashinka 25,437]

28 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

this is for the man (husband to be )  , he must do this thru  a court order as they will need to check criminal records , etc

 

In most cases, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name. To do so, you may need to file paperwork and appear before a judge to complete the process. Find your local government website and contact your circuit court to get information about how you can legally change your name.Feb 2, 2024

This is gender agnostic as they need to check criminal records for all intending immigrants.  The beneficiary is required to list all names used (man or woman) so this can be done.  With a marriage at least inside the US, either party can choose to change their family/last name.

[Lemonslice 5,142]

Some states allow you to pick (any) name you want after marriage.  Where are you planning to get married? You can look up the laws for that state.  Are you planning to take your spouse's name, or another name entirely? 

 

Also, please fill in your profile and timeline.  

Edited Monday at 08:08 PM by Lemonslice