How do I change name?

K

Kola999

Registered Users (C)
Hello,
I'm still on a K-1 visa. Recently I married to my husband within 90 days after my arrival in the USA. I wanted to change my name on ID card and social security to my new married name but I was told at the SS Office that I have to update information on my I-94 first. How do I do that? Where do I apply and is it free? I'm about to send in my paperwork for a green card and wished for it to be in the right name from thevery beginning. Please, advise me on that issue. Thanks!!!
 
To make sure its right on your GC, just fill out the paper work using the name you wish to be known as (ie, your married name).

As for your SS card.....the people at the SSA are not the most....erm....knowledgeable people in the world. Go to 3 different SSA workers about an issue and you'll probably get 3 different answers. This has clearly been demonstrated by the advisor that you spoke to as what she said is complete rubbish. All that should be needed is your old SS card and your marriage license. You already have been through the process of getting a SSN so your immigration status at the moment is now a moot point (though getting the 'work authorized with DHS permission only' notation is a different matter).

I personally didnt get round to changing me SS card until I got my EAD, and then took that along with my marriage certificate. The first advisor said it couldnt be done as USCIS hadnt updated my name change (though this again should have been a moot point as it is the marriage certificate that is the proof of name change)- so I went home, did a little internet research, found out that this shouldnt matter, went back to the same SSA the same day, got a different advisor who didnt even look at my EAD and she changed my name and ordered my new card.

Here's their rules which state that.

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name

When issuing immigration documents, the Department of State and DHS issue them in the person’s legal name. The legal name is also generally the name in which the foreign passport was issued.

When an alien applies for an SSN card, presume the name on the immigration document is the legal name unless the applicant presents evidence of a legal name change (e.g., marriage) that occurred after the immigration document was issued.

In cases where an alien applies for a replacement SSN card and submits an immigration document showing a name that is different from the name on the prior Numident record, accept the immigration document as evidence of the legal name. In these cases, the prior SSN card may have been issued in a name that was not the NH’s legal name.
 
So, when I file my I-485 and the rest of the forms, should I put my name as in passport or the name I get by marriage (and the one I want to be on my green card, SScard, driver's license, etc.)? Thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top