In the U.S., how are Ukrainian and Russian last names legally/generally feminized?

Question

If my last name is Yaroslavskyy (or any other -skyy) according to the International passport issued by Ukraine, what is the last name spelling of my wife (who is an American) going to be? Yaroslavskaya? Yaroslavskyy? Yaroslavski? Up to us? Any foreseeable issues with Social Security Administration or other government agency in the States in relation to such name change?

Answer 1

When you provide your documents to apply for US documents, you can negotiate what the English spelling will be.

Answer 2

Short answer is "it depends".

In general, in the US, the women either keeps her maiden name, or changes to her husbands surname.

If you marry in Ukraine, there is a blank on the marriage license application that specifys what her surname will be. In that case, you choose.

In some places in the US, the marriage license application has the same entry and you can choose.

In other places in the US, there is no choice - and after the marriage she could change to your spelling (-skyy) by simply showing her certified copy of ther marriage certificate to government agencies.

Some locales in the US use "common law" usage, some require a legal name change. The best bet is to seek legal advice in the area you live in, unless she will keep her maiden name or take yours as it is listed on your marriage license.

As to "problems" with Social Security or other agencies, there will be no problems as long as you have an official form of proof of her name (marriage certificate, legal name change, etc).

Here's some informaitonal links:

http://marriage.about.com/od/namechange/...

http://marriage.about.com/cs/namechange/...

http://marriage.about.com/od/namechange/...

Answer 3

Why, does a last name have to be feminine for a girl? Don't you guys just share the same last name?