GreenCard Application Help

[mangoes92]

Hi Everyone,

Recently, my husband (US Citizen) and I got court married. So, now I am in the process of applying for adjustment of status (greencard procedure). My current status is OPT. I would like to know the procedure for name change. Now that I am married, I will be taking my husband's last name. Should I fill all my applications for greencard procedure with my new name? or Should I keep it as my maiden name? I have read somewhere that while filling out the application, I can fill it out using my new name and USCIS will link the marriage certificate to my passport and birth certificate name. However, I am not sure. I don't know if I should go to Social Security office first to change my name and then apply? Please advice on what's the best way to move forward with this. Any help is really appreciated.

Thank you so much!

[azblk]

Hi Everyone,

Recently, my husband (US Citizen) and I got court married. So, now I am in the process of applying for adjustment of status (greencard procedure). My current status is OPT. I would like to know the procedure for name change. Now that I am married, I will be taking my husband's last name. Should I fill all my applications for greencard procedure with my new name? or Should I keep it as my maiden name? I have read somewhere that while filling out the application, I can fill it out using my new name and USCIS will link the marriage certificate to my passport and birth certificate name. However, I am not sure. I don't know if I should go to Social Security office first to change my name and then apply? Please advice on what's the best way to move forward with this. Any help is really appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Since you are taking your husbands name, This is as good a time as any. Most people use their given names because they want the green card and current passport to match but there is no hard and fast rule on this. If you want your green card to have your married name then you should use those names in your green card applications. Social security and MVD are different from immigration and it does matter whether you change and file of change later.

[mangoes92]

Since you are taking your husbands name, This is as good a time as any. Most people use their given names because they want the green card and current passport to match but there is no hard and fast rule on this. If you want your green card to have your married name then you should use those names in your green card applications. Social security and MVD are different from immigration and it does matter whether you change and file of change later.

Thank you so much for your response. On my marriage license/certificate, they included my maiden name because they told me that they cannot change it. I would have to go to SSA office. So, if I fill out the application with my married name, will that cause a problem and add more complexity since all of my other IDs, passport will be under my maiden name. If I get a NOA (i797) with my married name, but my driver's license would still be in Maiden name, so will that be a problem for biometric appointment? I have heard that a lot of DMVs won't issue DL based on i797 - NOA.

[ItsCW28]

Thank you so much for your response. On my marriage license/certificate, they included my maiden name because they told me that they cannot change it. I would have to go to SSA office. So, if I fill out the application with my married name, will that cause a problem and add more complexity since all of my other IDs, passport will be under my maiden name. If I get a NOA (i797) with my married name, but my driver's license would still be in Maiden name, so will that be a problem for biometric appointment? I have heard that a lot of DMVs won't issue DL based on i797 - NOA.

When you go to your biometrics appt just bring your marriage certificate. All of my ID is in my maiden name and when I went to my appointment on Monday he just asked me if I had anything with my married name and I showed him my marriage certificate and there wasn?t any issues. Since your partner?s last name is on the marriage certificate, you should be fine. My maiden name is on my marriage certificate as well. On my employment authorization form I checked the box saying that I want them to send me a new social so it has my married name on it. I dont think going to the social security office and changing it yourself would matter. The marriage certificate is proof of your legal name change.