maiden name used on immigration paperwork! Help!

[jenna188]

Hi,

My husband and I got married in May and filed for change of status for me immediately. We had all our paperwork reviewed by an immigration lawyer and submitted. A month later, I realized that all the paperwork had been submitted using my maiden name and not my married name. I am still currently using my maiden name, but the lawyer told us that whatever name is on the marriage certificate is legally my current name.

I am now worried that this discrepancy will affect my change of status / travel authorization/ work authorization. I have not changed my name on my SS card, passport, driver's license etc. However, my marriage license states "Name after Marriage: xxxx".

I have attended 2 biometrics appointments and have interview in September. Lawyer has suggested re-doing all paperwork and bringing to September issue. Is this a good idea?

Thank you!

[Bevdeforges]

Where did you get married? Because if it's in the US, you can pretty much use whichever name you please after the marriage. Normally, you simply notify the various merchants or offices of the change in name and get them to make the change in their records. Your marriage license serves as "proof" of your right to use your husband's family name, if that's what you want to do.

(Heck, after my divorce, I "didn't get around to" changing my name back on my SS card for 18 years, even though I had returned to using my maiden name all that time.)

Does the "name after marriage" on your marriage license have your name listed as you want it to be? If so, I think you have nothing to worry about.
Cheers,
Bev

[jenna188]

Hi Bev,

Thanks for your response. The name on the marriage certificate is the name that I want to use going forward (my husband's surname). I was about to get around to changing it on all documentation when I realized that all my immigration paperwork is using my maiden name. That's where the discrepancy lies. For instance, if I now change my driver's license and SS to my husband's name, my work authorization will have my maiden name. CAN I change everything to my new name? Or for the sake of all my immigration paperwork, should I just leave it as my maiden name? OR should I have all my immigration paperwork updated to reflect my husband's last name?


Thanks!

[Bevdeforges]

I assume you had to submit a copy of your marriage certificate for your immigration change of status. Then, they have a copy of all that.

Unless things have changed greatly in the time I've been gone from the US, changing your name to your "married name" is simply not a big deal in the US. If your immigration paperwork comes out in your maiden name only (which I sort of doubt it will, but whatever), you simply use that plus your marriage license for anything requiring you to "prove" your immigration status where you want to use your new married name.
Cheers,
Bev