Last name change after getting green card

[lastnamechangeaftergc]

I couldn't find an appropriate category to post this under so posting here. Please excuse me for this.

 

Both me and my wife received our green cards and my spouse would like to change her last name to my last name. What are the steps involved in this. I am thinking of the following. 

 

1) Give paper advertisements in India and US for last name change. After 30 days, get the passport with new last name from Indian embassy in USA by submitting these paper advt.

 

2) Submit I-90 for getting new green card by showing the new passport

 

3) Since new green card takes around 3 months to arrive, go to USCIS office and get the new passport stamped so that we can travel in/out of USA if needed before the new gc arrives.

 

4) Any time lines for any of these please? 

 

5) Any negative points/issues in future as a result of this? 

 

Thanks in advance!

[itsmeusa]

I don't know about changing name after GC, however as a part of naturalization, you get free name change. If you are ready to wait until then, you could avoid all the cost / headache associated with name change pre-naturalization.

[lastnamechangeaftergc]

Thanks and I understand your point. 

 

BUT, that will be another 5 years down the line and we don't want to have any more records in her maiden name and want to have all records (at least from now) in our family last name.

[Attorney_6]

The initial plan of attack sounds good. Consider also the need to change:

Social security card

Drivers license

Bank accounts

[lastnamechangeaftergc]

Thanks Attorney_6.

 

6) Will there by any problem if I need to travel in/out of USA while this process is underway? 

7) Do I need to do anything in India apart from this? 

8) How do we deal with all the old education/experience certificates etc with the old last name?

[Attorney_6]

Travel shouldn't be particularly problematic. The marriage certificate and other proof can be used, if needed, as an explanation for discrepancies. And, now that everyone undergoes fingerprinting etc. at entry, there is even less of an issue of having to prove identity when there are name changes.

 

We can only opine on matters of US immigration law.

 

Education/experience certificates always have the individual's name from the time of education or employment.  No need to do anything.