Person25

I’m in the US on an F-1 visa and married a US citizen 8 months ago. We got married and live in California. I haven’t applied for a green card but want to do so soon. Unfortunately, on my wedding, the notary that signed our wedding license emotionally coerced me into taking my husband’s last name. So that’s what I have in my marriage certificate now. However, I never intended to do that — I want to keep my maiden name. Accordingly, I haven’t changed my name on my passport or social security card or anything like that. Will there be problems when I apply for adjustment of status? If so, what should I do?

I don't know. My dad decided to give me his mom's last name instead of his dad's, because he was raised by his mom, and so that was what I and my brother got. I don't know the details on how that was legally allowed, I just know it's the name I've always had. Unfortunately, Form I-130A does ask my parents' name.

I was born with two last names, since I come from a country where that is common. One of them is from my mom, the other is from my father's mother. My father does not have that surname. I never gave too much thought to that, until I got married this week in the US and the notary told us that my name would be seen as indicative of fraud. I would guess that the USCIS will assume that I previously got married to another person or something. However, my birth name is written on my birth certificate along with every single official document about me since then (e.g. my first passport, which I got at 14, before I could legally marry in my country). I have never been married before. My brother has the same last names that I do. I was wondering, is there anything I can do? Will they just think that my birth certificate and previous passport are forged or something? Or can they verify that that is my birth name directly with my country's authorities?