greenerdreams
ideally yes! although it may not be possible in all circumstances.
Also consider having to change last name in passport, along with court order when you go to stamping. that way everything is consistent. I'm trying to get this done before my stamping, but the court order takes 3 wks no matter what, and passport name change is possible for an extra $90 on the same day.
The reason I'm so concerned about this is because of the situation I faced in this matter. Below is the explanation:
When coming from India 3 years back. I was newly wed, coming from mumbai. the immigration official in mumbai asked me why I did not change my wifes name in the passport. I explained to him I didn't had time. He warned me that it might cause trouble later on and better have it done ASAP. He did allow me to board the plane. My marriage certificate indicates my wifes maiden last name only. so on her h4, she has maiden last name but petitioner as my name. At that time I was in Michigan and went to secretary of state for photo ID for my wife. Strangely, they indicated that her H4 should have said my last name based on marriage certificate, although they issued her the photo ID with her maiden name. I also got her TaxID with her maiden name and filed (combined) taxes. When my wife got her EAD, we went for SSN and the when we filed the taxes, IRS sent a notice to confirm that since the last names are different, confirm that the new SSN is of my spouse. I asked a couple of friends if this ever happen to them and they said NO. That got me worried. I replied to IRS using a CPA and my taxes were then processed. I found it very disturbing that IRS did not have a problem when we filed together using TAXID but has a confirmation notice issued to us when used SSN. Although, I did not completely understand, why all this happend only to me, but it always bothered me why I did not have name change done as early as I landed here with my wife.
Hence, it is my personal opinion and a friendly suggestion to newly married and landed non-immigrants to get the name change done as soon as they land (ie, if they could not do it in thier home country as soon as marriage occured) and prior to filing applications with INS. Again, this may not be possible under all circumstances, and hence stands to be my opinion or suggestion only.
Long story huh! suggestions/comments welcome!