Name change, when will it be safe?

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Hello all!

Quick question, when will it be safe to change my wife's last name?? She couldn't take time off work (to clarify, she is the USC), to start the process right after getting married, therefore we submitted all the paperwork with her actual name. She wants to change her last name because is tradition, personally I don't see it as being that forceful but love the idea of her wanting to do that and we sharing the same last name. Anyway, when do you think is safe enough to change it, in order to not mess up the AOS process???

Thank y'all!!

[raymaga 25]

You don't actually have to do anything to change your last name to your new married name. You just start using it.

You could have filled out all the AOS paperwork using her new married last name. Your marriage certificate you submitted with the AOS application form is all that is necessary to show why her last name changed.

You do, however, have to inform any banks, credit cards, driver's licence, etc. of the fact that she is now using her new married last name. Usually, they require a copy of the marriage certificate, but when you call them to ask, they will let you know what they require.

There is not any actual process you need to go through in order to start using a new last name after marriage.

[athena_ny 1]

If she's the USC, her last name is pretty inconsequential...

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

If she's the USC, her last name is pretty inconsequential...

Yes she is the USC, not me, I guess that was misunderstood

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Thanks for your reply, I know that. I guess my question was misunderstood, she is the USC first of all, also, we did file under her maiden name, so we cannot change that fact. My question is that since she she is the sponsor, will there be any problem if we change her name before our AOS is approved??

You don't actually have to do anything to change your last name to your new married name. You just start using it.

You could have filled out all the AOS paperwork using her new married last name. Your marriage certificate you submitted with the AOS application form is all that is necessary to show why her last name changed.

You do, however, have to inform any banks, credit cards, driver's licence, etc. of the fact that she is now using her new married last name. Usually, they require a copy of the marriage certificate, but when you call them to ask, they will let you know what they require.

There is not any actual process you need to go through in order to start using a new last name after marriage.

Edited November 17, 2007 by GueraYTavo

[Wes and Shiela 2]

If she's the USC, her last name is pretty inconsequential...

Yes she is the USC, not me, I guess that was misunderstood

I think we all understand that SHE is the USC. What we are saying is that she can go ahead and start using her married name at any time. The AOS is for you, not her. Therefore, the changing of the USC's name will not cause any problems at all.

As long as the marriage certificate is included in your AOS package, USCIS will understand quite clearly the use of the two names on any documentation she needs to provide.

This is of course if her name change is to use your surname. If she wants to change her name to something completely different, that is a different story.

[Nancy2015 2]

Hello all!

Quick question, when will it be safe to change my wife's last name?? She couldn't take time off work (to clarify, she is the USC), to start the process right after getting married,

There is no process. Just like Raymaga said - she should just start using it. The order in which she should notify everyone of the name change is as follows:

1. SSA

2. DMV

3. Employers, banks, credit card companies, etc.

My employer was really paranoid and would only change my name after I showed them the new SS card. Not all of them are like that - some will be happy with just a marriage certificate.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

OKKKK

She will then thanks a lot for your feedback !