HavenevaH

Thanks a lot! @pajobra
 
Exactly what i wanted to hear. 

I wouldn't worry too much about that. The marriage certificate issued to my wife and I also only listed the maiden name. This was no issue for USCIS.
 
Every state is different with marriage certificates, so I can't say with certainty what TN does, but it doesn't sound like an issue. The SSA is not the controller of your legal name...they're just a federal source that provides a document many places use as evidence of a name change. It's a bit funny because marriage certificates are a state issue and the SSA is a federal agency.
 
If anybody is familiar with TN specifically, I highly encourage them to speak up too.

Mine also only had my maiden name but I signed with the name I wanted to use which was my husbands. I just got my EAD in the mail a week ago and went to the SSA office and took my marriage license and EAD card and got my SSN card changed to my married name.  Once she gets her EAD that is all she has to do to get the SSN card. Good luck to you both!!

Yes. The marriage certificate is a legal name change document. It's not a "future" name...it would be her current name that changed as of the date you married...you just don't have federal documents to serve as evidence of the name change yet.
You can (and should) use the married name on the I-485.

No problem. I know how confusing all seems at the beginning. Like others said, EAD/AP can take from 3 to 6 months from the moment they receive your AOS packet. This website helped me from beginning to my recent naturalization. All the best for you guys.

Thank you Sunnyland. 
 
We are working on the forms now. I downloaded them from USCIS. 
 
Thanks for explaining and showing me the card. Now I know what to expect. 

If when she applies for her AOS, also applies for her EAD (form I-765) and AP (form I-131) at the same time, then she should get a combo card like this one. It's her employment authorization card that also serves as Advance Parole as detailed in the bottom wording. 
Always download the forms (to fill out) directly from the USCIS website which will be the latest version. Not from VJ. 
 
 
 
 

 

I've seen threads on VJ where people waited years. Wouldn't recommend that but you're all good.

Just get the paperwork and file as soon as you can. 

We filed 3 months after we were married, despite being set on doing it immediately.  A few significantly large and unexpected bills forced us to wait a little.  For the SSN, although I got mine as soon as I arrived in the US, it remained in my maiden name until I got my GC and then I had to mosey on down to the office and spend an afternoon there to apply for it to be issued in my married name.  There are little things that make it a pain when you don't have a SSN, but it's not the end of the world. Once you have your NOA1 you're back on track.