Name Change issue

[JIBBO]

I am wondering when the good time is to change the name after I get married, before applying GreenCard or after? if I apply the green card first, would it be very difficult to change the name in the middle of green card pending or I need to wait until I get the card to change the name. if I change name before filing, do I need to change the name on the passport, and some other documents like the H-1B , etc ??

I appreciate any input, this board is very useful.

 

[mrs_s]

I would recommend changing your name as part of the marriage, and including your new name on all your AOS documents. Your marriage certificate is proof of name change, and your name in your passport can be changed after you apply for permanent residence.

 

[Jewel12]

I am wondering when the good time is to change the name after I get married, before applying GreenCard or after? if I apply the green card first, would it be very difficult to change the name in the middle of green card pending or I need to wait until I get the card to change the name. if I change name before filing, do I need to change the name on the passport, and some other documents like the H-1B , etc ??

I appreciate any input, this board is very useful.

When I got married, I wanted to change my name right away, and I wanted to remain in my F-1 status till it expires. It turned out to be the most difficult thing I've attempted to do in my life.

Since I was in the SEVIS system, the DSO refused to make any changes until I bring her a new passport with my married name. I tried to figure out how to do it, and it turned out that I needed to sort of legalize and translate my marriage certificate in my country, then changed my Russian passport, and after that change my international passport. As you can see, it's quite a bit of work to do, and it involves going to my country, which is something I cannot afford. I was able to change my DL without any hassle though, but soon after that I got a SSN, and the SSA didn't want to issue an SS card in married name without a document from the USCIS with my new name. They needed something like a new I-94 or an EAD. I made an Infopass to find out how to get a new I-94, and the (stupid) guy there told me to file an I-539 (which is an application to change one non-immigrant status to another. I followed the stupid advice, and that application was pending for like 5 months, and then denied. I got an explanation letter from CSC stating that I-539 is not an application to change biographical data, and the jurisdiction to change my name lies with the local office. But since the local office kept sending me to the Service Center to do that, I finally gave up, and just filed for AOS. I simply wrote my married name on the forms, and i guess, that's how you change it in this country if you're fron somewhere else.