I485 Can I change my name if maiden name is still on marriage certificate ?

[MarieSZ]

Hi and thanks for your help !

I entered the US on a K1 visa last month (07/19) and my fiancé and I got married 2 weeks later (08/02). The day of the wedding I signed with my maiden name (I wasn't sure if and how I wanted to change it yet and the officiant said it didn't matter, it'd be easy to change later). Now, it's been a week, I want to add his last name to mine.

I am filling out the I 485 form and all the paperwork for adjustement status. What name should I put ? Can I put my maiden name as my middle name and my husband's name as my last name ?

I called the city clerk, they said it's not their job to change names they only register marriage certificate.
I called USCIC, they said I should put what is on my passport, but the person I talked to didn't seem so sure.

I am going to the SSA to get a SSN. Should I keep my maiden name or do the same as above ? ( I didn't know I could get a SSN as a K1 holder ! Should have searched better)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRECIOUS HELP !

Marie

[rayb]

All your Adjustment paperwork should be submitted in your married name. Your middle name using the American convention is the same as your former middle name, unless you are Filipino, then it can go either way (Filipino convention requires former family name to become middle name after marriage).

If you are within the timely parameters to apply for an SSN (until about 3 weeks before your 90-day expiration, use your maiden name, then change it to your married name after your have the interim Work Authorization or Green card.

--Ray B

Hi and thanks for your help !

I entered the US on a K1 visa last month (07/19) and my fiancé and I got married 2 weeks later (08/02). The day of the wedding I signed with my maiden name (I wasn't sure if and how I wanted to change it yet and the officiant said it didn't matter, it'd be easy to change later). Now, it's been a week, I want to add his last name to mine.

I am filling out the I 485 form and all the paperwork for adjustement status. What name should I put ? Can I put my maiden name as my middle name and my husband's name as my last name ?

I called the city clerk, they said it's not their job to change names they only register marriage certificate.
I called USCIC, they said I should put what is on my passport, but the person I talked to didn't seem so sure.

I am going to the SSA to get a SSN. Should I keep my maiden name or do the same as above ? ( I didn't know I could get a SSN as a K1 holder ! Should have searched better)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRECIOUS HELP !

Marie

[MarieSZ]

All your Adjustment paperwork should be submitted in your married name. Your middle name using the American convention is the same as your former middle name, unless you are Filipino, then it can go either way (Filipino convention requires former family name to become middle name after marriage).

If you are within the timely parameters to apply for an SSN (until about 3 weeks before your 90-day expiration, use your maiden name, then change it to your married name after your have the interim Work Authorization or Green card.

--Ray B

Thank you Ray B !

I'm more than 2 months before my expiration date so I can do what you said for my SSN. I'll go tomorrow.

For my adjustment paperwork , it doesn't matter that I signed with my maiden name on my marriage certificate ? What about if I want to keep my maiden name and add his last name too. I know people who did that but they are american. Maybe the fact that I'm foreign (french) doesn't give me this opportunity. Can you be more specific on that please ?

Again thank you so much !

Marie

[rayb]

I would advise against retaining your maiden family name as the first node or hyphenated with your married name. It causes lots of bureaucratic problems down the road.

Hyphenated or double last names are an affectation that confuses every business or government agency with whom you come in contact. If you are in Ecuador or Colombia, it's normal and expected. In the U.S., we tend to use the English system of streamlining naming conventions (unless you are Welsh, ha ha).

--Ray B

The signature on your marriage cert does not matter, as you now have a legal right to use your husband's family name as your family name.

Thank you Ray B !

I'm more than 2 months before my expiration date so I can do what you said for my SSN. I'll go tomorrow.

For my adjustment paperwork , it doesn't matter that I signed with my maiden name on my marriage certificate ? What about if I want to keep my maiden name and add his last name too. I know people who did that but they are american. Maybe the fact that I'm foreign (french) doesn't give me this opportunity. Can you be more specific on that please ?

Again thank you so much !

Marie

[MarieSZ]

New name on adjusment status - new signature ?

Thank you Ray. That was useful (it'd be easier for that matter if I was filipino). However I need more info please.

I want to keep my maiden name somewhere because I want to use it for work later. Many of my former (Pilates & Yoga) clients & studios I worked at in Montreal and Paris know me under my maiden name. I plan to organize international retreats later, contact and work with them. It would be good if my maiden name was somewhere. And also, I guess, it's important to me.

Can you explain to me why american women (at least the ones I know) can change their middle name for their maiden name when married and there is no problem ?

Did anyone out there keep her maiden name with her husband name after getting married on a K1 ?

Also whether my middle name is changed to my maiden name or not, I will use my husband's name as my new family name. Should I sign with a new signature on all the adjustment papers then ? It won't be the same as on my passport and previous documents, is it ok ? Is it what I'm supposed to sign ?

Thank you again !!!

I would advise against retaining your maiden family name as the first node or hyphenated with your married name. It causes lots of bureaucratic problems down the road.

Hyphenated or double last names are an affectation that confuses every business or government agency with whom you come in contact. If you are in Ecuador or Colombia, it's normal and expected. In the U.S., we tend to use the English system of streamlining naming conventions (unless you are Welsh, ha ha).

--Ray B

The signature on your marriage cert does not matter, as you now have a legal right to use your husband's family name as your family name.