Originally Posted by
robertr
Well I would think that I know my de facto partner considering I have known her for 22 years.
I was just concerned with the different surnames on our passports & whether that does not constitute a "family".
You are fine to approach the counter together. The worse thing is the immigration officer will ask one of you to step back in line. But I don't think that will happen especially if you only fill out one custom declaration form (signifying that you are traveling together).
And besides, not all married people have the same name... my wife refuses to change hers and I wasn't going to change my name
And in some countries (e.g. most east Asian ones) it is actually highly unusual for married female to change her name so immigration officers at LAX should know better than assume "family" all share the same name.