Newly married in South Florida - question on changing last name

[Jupiter33477]

Hello,

I was recently married a couple of weeks ago. My wife is from Colombia who has been to the united states a couple of times. I am a US residence and was born in the US. She is currently here on a tourist visa.

We will be sending the documents for the i-130 and I-485 shortly. We are going apply for a temporary ID card at the DMV. They stated that they cannot change her last name until she has a temporary green card.

Can I change the last name for other items like Insurance? Credit card? We have the marriage certificate. Or should we wait to change her last name until the green card process is complete?

Thanks in advanced for any information!

[me.sarde]

Please, wait until they send you a green card. That is my suggestion. I am in the same shoes and they told me to wait. It is better to use the same name that matches your wife's name in her current ID

Hello,

I was recently married a couple of weeks ago. My wife is from Colombia who has been to the united states a couple of times. I am a US residence and was born in the US. She is currently here on a tourist visa.

We will be sending the documents for the i-130 and I-485 shortly. We are going apply for a temporary ID card at the DMV. They stated that they cannot change her last name until she has a temporary green card.

Can I change the last name for other items like Insurance? Credit card? We have the marriage certificate. Or should we wait to change her last name until the green card process is complete?

Thanks in advanced for any information!

[rayb]

Make sure your I-130 and I-495 (and supporting documents) are submitted in the married name you wish to show on the Green Card. Otherwise, I agree with Sarde that changing of name on other ID and various documents can wait unitil your gal has her interim Work Authorization or Green Card.

--Ray B

Please, wait until they send you a green card. That is my suggestion. I am in the same shoes and they told me to wait. It is better to use the same name that matches your wife's name in her current ID

[Jupiter33477]

Make sure your I-130 and I-495 (and supporting documents) are submitted in the married name you wish to show on the Green Card. Otherwise, I agree with Sarde that changing of name on other ID and various documents can wait unitil your gal has her interim Work Authorization or Green Card.

--Ray B

Thanks for the responses. Her current name will be our plan of action. I heard that once the green card is complete that they will her lastname-mylastname on the greencard. That is what happened to a coworker.

Is there a checklist available of the items we have to complete. I have reviewed some lawyers but seems expensive to complete a couple of forms. Maybe I am missing something.

Here are some things I believe we will have to do:


I-130 $420
I-485 $1070 or 985 without biometric fee
Form providing my financial support as she will have the work visa
We both need passport photos. I believe she needs 8 and I will need 2.
She will need a doctor's exam

I have also heard:
marriage license.
her birth certificate (translated)
copy of my ssn
two forms validating my address.

We plan to get her Florida ID tomorrow.