Petitioner/Sponsor Name Change Before Interview?

[stellybelly 4]

Hello all, 

 

I am the K1 petitioner/now sponsor and we have our interview coming up soon. In the meantime, I have an appointment to change my last name to my spouses with the social security office. Given that I used my maiden name on the petition / I-485 / I-864, could this cause any issues for our interview or later, removal of conditions? Any personal experience appreciated  

[OldUser 9,862]

1 hour ago, stellybelly said:

Hello all, 

 

I am the K1 petitioner/now sponsor and we have our interview coming up soon. In the meantime, I have an appointment to change my last name to my spouses with the social security office. Given that I used my maiden name on the petition / I-485 / I-864, could this cause any issues for our interview or later, removal of conditions? Any personal experience appreciated  

No

[smilingstone 588]

Would this not be going down the route of risking being "too married" for a K1? Name changes do not typically come before marriage, as with ceremonies, etc. 

 

Personally, I wouldn't do the change before marriage as you are so close. Any slight misstep could put you back to the beginning. 

[MalloryCat 715]

8 minutes ago, smilingstone said:

Would this not be going down the route of risking being "too married" for a K1? Name changes do not typically come before marriage, as with ceremonies, etc. 

 

Personally, I wouldn't do the change before marriage as you are so close. Any slight misstep could put you back to the beginning. 

i believe they meant their greencard interview, not the K1 interview

as they put their maiden name on the I-485/I-864

[stellybelly 4]

2 hours ago, MalloryCat said:

i believe they meant their greencard interview, not the K1 interview

as they put their maiden name on the I-485/I-864

That would be correct

[OldUser 9,862]

On 7/13/2025 at 10:18 AM, stellybelly said:

That would be correct

No issue with petitioner changing name.

My USC spouse changed name, though prior to filing I-130.

 

Beneficiary changing name is typically trickier.

Edited Monday at 06:57 PM by OldUser

[stellybelly 4]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

No issue with petitioner changing name.

My USC spouse changed name, though prior to filing I-130.

 

Beneficiary changing name is typically trickier.

I appreciate the insight, I’ll go forward with the appointment and bring the new card/license etc with us to the interview. Thank you!