Clarifications with Adjustment of Status as a K1 Visa holder

[Tooddy 0]

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some guidance on the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process. My husband and I got married this past July 2025, and we’re now preparing to file Forms I-485 and I-765.
I have a few questions:
1.     Can I use my married name and new signature when submitting these forms, or should I stick with my maiden name for now?
2.     We have an appointment with the SSA this Thursday. Since my Philippine passport (the only valid ID I currently have) still reflects my maiden name, should I use that name for the SSA records, or is it okay to use my married name?
3.     We plan to file the AOS after the SSA appointment — is that timing alright?
4.     Lastly, my husband lives with his grandmother and mother, but none of the utility bills are under his name. Should we include a separate document or affidavit to confirm that we share residence with his family?
I’ve been doing a lot of research, but the more I read, the more questions I seem to have. Thank you all in advance for your help and insights!
 

[smilingstone 690]

1. Yes

2. You'll need to take your marriage certificate if you want to use your married name for SSA. If you don't have it yet, then stick to your maiden name and update it once you have your EAD. 

3. Yes

4. Would be useful but you don't have to submit that with the initial application. You can submit additional evidence online once USCIS recieve your application and you activate your online account. 

[EatBulaga 483]

1 hour ago, Tooddy said:

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some guidance on the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process. My husband and I got married this past July 2025, and we’re now preparing to file Forms I-485 and I-765.
I have a few questions:
1.     Can I use my married name and new signature when submitting these forms, or should I stick with my maiden name for now?
2.     We have an appointment with the SSA this Thursday. Since my Philippine passport (the only valid ID I currently have) still reflects my maiden name, should I use that name for the SSA records, or is it okay to use my married name?
3.     We plan to file the AOS after the SSA appointment — is that timing alright?
4.     Lastly, my husband lives with his grandmother and mother, but none of the utility bills are under his name. Should we include a separate document or affidavit to confirm that we share residence with his family?
I’ve been doing a lot of research, but the more I read, the more questions I seem to have. Thank you all in advance for your help and insights!
 

1. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your I-485.

2. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your SSA.

3. Yes

4. Not necessary for the I-485. However, you must demonstrate co-mingling of finances, bills, etc., by the I-751.

[Crazy Cat 44,964]

52 minutes ago, EatBulaga said:

Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your I-485.

USCIS says you can use ANY combination of the names on the marriage certificate.  For example, if Mary Smith marries John Doe, Mary can us any of the following on USCIS paperwork:

Mary Smith

Mary Doe

Mary Smith Doe

Mary-Smith-Doe

 

[EatBulaga 483]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

USCIS says you can use ANY combination of the names on the marriage certificate.  For example, if Mary Smith marries John Doe, Mary can us any of the following on USCIS paperwork:

Mary Smith

Mary Doe

Mary Smith Doe

Mary-Smith-Doe

 

Yes, technically for USCIS. 

However, to keep things simple for everyone to follow, listing the marriage name on the marriage certificate is easier for SSA to process, for airline travel to connect the passport maiden name to the green card marriage name, or for billings, etc.

First principle is to keep it simple, instead to keep it legally technically complicated.

[Crazy Cat 44,964]

39 minutes ago, EatBulaga said:

Yes, technically for USCIS. 

However, to keep things simple for everyone to follow, listing the marriage name on the marriage certificate is easier for SSA to process, for airline travel to connect the passport maiden name to the green card marriage name, or for billings, etc.

First principle is to keep it simple, instead to keep it legally technically complicated.

To clarify, the question I referred to was "Can I use my married name and new signature when submitting these forms,".  My answer is accurate.

USCIS allows any combination of names on the marriage certificate.  Many, many people change their last name based on the marriage certificate.

Edited 6 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Tooddy 0]

7 hours ago, smilingstone said:

1. Yes

2. You'll need to take your marriage certificate if you want to use your married name for SSA. If you don't have it yet, then stick to your maiden name and update it once you have your EAD. 

3. Yes

4. Would be useful but you don't have to submit that with the initial application. You can submit additional evidence online once USCIS recieve your application and you activate your online account. 

 

Last week, we visited the government office to request a Declaration of Domicile, since none of my current IDs reflect his address and none of the utility bills are under our names. However, I was informed that they require a U.S. visa stamp in my passport. The K-1 visa I presented was rejected because it had a line drawn through it. I tried to explain that the visa was single-entry and had already served its purpose, so it couldn’t be reused. I even offered my I-94 Arrival/Departure Record as supporting documentation, but they refused to review it.
They said the issue had been escalated to their supervisor, who also deemed it unacceptable. Because the staff member assisting us didn’t have a passport herself, she couldn’t verify the information in mine. As a result, they directed me to another building to have my signature verified and notarized. They also mentioned that having a Florida driver’s license or state ID would make the process much easier—but to obtain those IDs, I first need to provide proof of residency, which is exactly what I was trying to establish through the Declaration of Domicile.

[Tooddy 0]

6 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

1. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your I-485.

2. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your SSA.

3. Yes

4. Not necessary for the I-485. However, you must demonstrate co-mingling of finances, bills, etc., by the I-751.

 

Our marriage certificate doesn't reflect my married name, it only reflects my maiden name and my husband's name.

[Tooddy 0]

5 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

To clarify, the question I referred to was "Can I use my married name and new signature when submitting these forms,".  My answer is accurate.

USCIS allows any combination of names on the marriage certificate.  Many, many people change their last name based on the marriage certificate.

We were hoping to obtain a Social Security Number so I can open a bank account and apply for a driver’s license. However, the issue of proving residency is making the process more difficult—even just getting the SSN feels like a challenge. From what I’ve read, the Social Security Administration doesn’t officially require proof of residency for the application, but it seems they might still ask for it depending on the situation. I just want to be fully prepared in case they do.

[TBoneTX 47,701]

15 minutes ago, Tooddy said:

Last week, we visited the government office [...]

How frustrating, if not enraging.

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Not your fault and definitely not intended as an insult, but this situation seems to reinforce what folks here recommend -- that the CR-1 visa is superior to the K-1 in many ways.

[Tooddy 0]

7 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

1. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your I-485.

2. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your SSA.

3. Yes

4. Not necessary for the I-485. However, you must demonstrate co-mingling of finances, bills, etc., by the I-751.

 

Also, I wanted to ask if the DS-3025 form from St. Luke’s Medical can be accepted in place of Form I-693. The DS-3025 I have is valid until November 2025—do you know if USCIS will accept it for my Adjustment of Status?
We’re doing the AOS filing ourselves, and honestly, these forms are driving me crazy. I’ve been researching nonstop, but the more I read, the more confused I get. It’s really frustrating. I’d truly appreciate your help in making sure we file everything correctly. Thank you so much in advance!

[Tooddy 0]

2 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

How frustrating, if not enraging.

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Not your fault and definitely not intended as an insult, but this situation seems to reinforce what folks here recommend -- that the CR-1 visa is superior to the K-1 in many ways.

 

Absolutely—it’s a clear yes. Although the CR-1 visa process takes more time, once you arrive in the U.S. with it, you're immediately eligible to apply for a job.