Should I Use My Married Name for the Green Card Application?

Many of my readers changed their last name to follow their husband's after they got married. Now the question is - which name should they use for their green card application? Let me explain a little more here.

Do I need to change my last name to my husband's for the green card application?

Just to be clear, it's not required to change your last name to your husband's to be eligible for a green card. It does not affect your chance of getting approved at all! So if you would like to keep your own family name, just follow your heart! There's nothing wrong with it. I kind of like that idea:)

See here for the 3 myths of the adjustment of status process.

Should I wait to change my last name until I receive my green card?

Well, it is really up to you. It's your personal choice.

• If you want to change your last name and are not in a hurry to do so, you can wait until you get your green card to reduce confusion. 
• If you want to change your last name right away, as long as you can provide proof of name change, your case will not be affected in any ways. 

Which name should I use for my I-485 application?

If you decided to change your last name to your husband's, your married name will become your new legal name. Therefore, you should use your married name for all forms. Just remember to:

1. Put your pre-married name in "Name ever used" section in your forms
2. Provide evidence of name change 

Do I need to update my name on the passport, social security card, and other IDs?

Once you changed your name to your husband's, you are able to use your new name for all legal documents. However, you don't need to update all your IDs such as passport and social security card just for the sake of the I-485 green card application. As long as you provide the proof of name change along with your other documents and label it correctly. 

You might eventually want to update your IDs to match your married name, but there's no rush. You can always wait until you need to update them. For example, when you become a US citizen, you are required to update your social security card.

If you married abroad and need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you can find a specific guideline here: Select your country on the left and scroll down to "Marriage, Divorce Certificate" section.

Read here to learn more: 

• Do I Need to Update My SSN After Getting My Green Card?
• DIY How I Applied for My Green Card with No RFE!

*Disclaimer: All content here is for sharing personal opinion, not for the purpose of providing legal advice.