which name to use?

[CherryP413]

We are finally ready to start filing our paperwork!!! I just want to make sure of one last thing. My husband and I both changed our names to a combined new name when we got married. We didn't know that in Mexico you can't change your name nearly as easily as here, if at all. So in Mexico, on his new Mexican passport and all his documents there, he's known by his "maiden" name, but in the US he is known by our married name (on his DL, son's birth certificate, bills, taxes, ITIN, everything). The guy at the Mexican consulate said we should change his name in the US back to his original name, but I'm not sure if that's necessary. Which do we use to file? Do we have to get everything changed only to change it back some day? I'm guessing we use his original name to file the immigration paperwork because that's what is on his passport where the visa will go? THANKS!

[JennyM]

Whatever you put on the Social Security paperwork will be the name listed. Most workers know the spanish families have LONG names. I use my husbands name and he uses his FULL name on our paperwork. Whatever is on his passport is what you should use so it would make the process easier...there is no problem with changing it when he is legal.

[JennyM]

If you have Martinez Lopez on his passport and for bills you only use Martinez....that's fine, but you need to use his full surname on the paperwork.

[ChuckNTeresa]

When we get married and hopefully that is soon. LOL My fiancee who is mexican does have two last names. When we get married does she lose those last names then have mine or can she keep them or just one ? How have people done this in the past ? What is the easiest best way to do this with out issues from the consulate ? Thank you Chuck and Teresa

[CherryP413]

no no no...his original name was "Apellido1 Apellido2" and now in the US his name is "Apellido2-LastName" (LastName is my maiden name obviously). They're totally different names, he didn't just drop one.

[JennyM]

So leave the ones as they are now for bills and stuff and use Apellido 1 Apellido 2 on the immigration paperwork. It even asks on the paperwork "what other names used" and put down the Apellido 2-Lastname.