Marriage to US Citizen and Name change - what first?

[Aayitrun]

I am an H1-B visa holder (male) and my fiance is a US Citizen. We are getting married in October and I am hoping to get a GC based on her status. She intends to take my last name at the wedding. Should we apply for my GC before her name change or first do the name change? If we do the name change first does that take forever to get her stuff in order (not the right place, but just asking)?

Can we apply for my GC while her name change process is going on?

 

[ananga73]

As with so many legal matters, the rules change by municipality, so check with your local city hall. But generally, the steps you should take are:

http://www.legalzoom.com/name-change-guide/maiden-name-change.html

There is no right answer to this. If you're in status and there is no need to rush your AOS, I would suggest you get married then your wife simultaneously changes her name through the process outlined. Subsequently you can file the AOS. The whole change of name process should not take more than a few weeks. She can then fill out the AOS forms with her new name.

I know for a fact that change of name by a spouse gives credibility to the union, especially in this modern age. All the best

 

[Aayitrun]

Yeah thanks that makes sense. My future wife intends to take my name anyways. So we'll name change first.