IandR

Yes, the day it says "Issued" is the day the visa is approved. Your case is not in AP anymore and we got our visa delivered three days after the date it said "Issued".

A great opportunity to accomplish your name change (as your desire now) was lost when you did not change your name on your marriage certificate.

Anyone can legally change their name, but that legal process depends upon where you live in the USA, and in addition, you are resident alien which can make things difficult.

I think that your easiest path during AOS transition to a green card is to just keep your name as it is currently.

After you have your green card and you are no longer a resident alien, you will a much easier time changing your name with the legal process that depends upon where you live in the USA.

I call this the "path of least resistance" to solving your problem.

Having a lawyer to draw up a cover letter that explains the details of your case and your re-application would be advantageous to minimize delays. It is not that difficult in your case and gives you great credibility with USCIS.

While waiting for AOS green card, your AOS NOA document is documentation of your current legal status in the USA.

You would have to have a completely new identity in order to run away from your credit history, not just a different SSN. If you already have a SSN, and you get another SSN by fraud, you are committing a crime. These are not judgments, just facts of life. We all make mistakes when we are young and old. We also have to make up for our mistakes. At this time, you should face the challenge head-on, and research reputable companies that specialize in helping you improve your credit score.

Once you get married in the USA, file your AOS and AP paperwork together, the K-1 Visa limitations "disappear." Your AOS NOA is now your "legal permission" to remain in the USA. Then, you wait for your AP approval documents, which can take three months and you should not leave the USA until you complete the biometrics interview, which is part of the AOS process.

You always take on a risk if you leave the USA during the AOS process. Just having AP documents does not mean the Port of Entry Homeland Security Officer will let you in without passing their judgement of the situation. Your personal reasons for travelling out of the USA will be a part of your AP application. You have to have a good reason to leave the USA and be truthful on everything you say and do during the AOS time period. If there is any way to wait for a green card and stay in the USA, then travel, you have essentially zero risk.

The quickest way to be together is "do not get married" and get a USA K-1 Fiance Visa. Approximately 3 months after marriage in USA and subsequent filing for Adjustment of Status, you get your legal USA work documents ... and additional 3 months you get your USA green card. You must stay in the USA during this time or file for special parole to leave and return to the USA. Do not get married on a USA tourist visa and stay in the USA past the tourist visa time limit or you are in for a world of hurt.

Since you are currently working, and the money you make is important to the relationship, you have no choice but to get married in Canada or in the USA on a tourist visa. But then return to Canada, file for a IR-1 Spouse Visa and wait a much longer time 9-12 months to enter the USA as an immigrant (not tourist) and immediately get a USA green card, and obviously, can work in the USA legally.

If you want quick, you need a USA partner that can afford quick.

If you both are depending on your income to get through all this, there is no "quick way" to do it. And if you do not follow the legal steps, you will be banned from entering the USA for a very long time.

There is no waving of any fees for fiance/spousal filing fees. There are also income requirements for your USA partner in order for you to get either a K-1 or IR-1 Visa that you will have to research.

This whole business of immigrating to be a couple requires money and income.