Never had a problem with this entering the US with Mrs. GHF - even though she kept her last name. Many years, no issue.

Any such restriction would quite routinely be rather ridiculous since: (1) there are many millions of families where some/most/all persons in a family have different last names from others in the same family/family household; and/or (2) there are many people who are immediate family members who share the same last name and may or may not even live in the same household but are unable to make an independent declaration.

A better standard to be examined is that of allowing joint processing as a product of there being joint and several liability -- or willful assumption of such liability -- if someone/some party wants to risk liability for a violation of persons party to a joint declaration, then that should be their business; and that allows for anyone and/or the entire party agreeing to take such liability/risk on entry by choosing to be processed jointly.

Twice, once entering the US at IAH from YEG and once entering at Galveston cruise port from Cozumel, my same sex partner and I (unmarried, different last names, same address) have gone through CBP together. I think it really depends on the agent you get. We did have separate declaration forms, though.

Do they take your stored passport photos and use them to send you a little Photoshopped wedding album so you can remember the big day they declared you married? What a thoughtful gift. @:-)

LOL

Entering at MIA: Officer asks if we're married, no. Living together? No. Well you're not supposed to come up together, but we'll just say you got married in the Dominican Republic, congratulations and welcome home.

Entering at IAH: Married? No. GF had to leave line and wait her turn.

Multiple entries (ATL, IAD, NAS, YUL, etc.) since being married: Never been asked, even before she changed her name.

That one guy in IAH was just mean.

The MIA officer's approach was the best

My husband and I don't have the same last name and we've never had a problem going through the line together. Although I carry our marriage license just in case.

Along a related line of questioning, on a recent flight to the US we were told that we'd have to fill out separate customs declarations (even though we were married and obviously live in the same household) because we have different last names. I've never had this happen before and never heard of it. Anyone know of any recent rule changes? We didn't have a problem at customs. But I thought it was curious that the flight attendant thought it would be necessary. But perhaps she thought we weren't married.

My wife and I didn't have a problem coming back from our honeymoon. Our names were different, Customs didn't say word one about it. Heck, when we traveled to Italy last year, my wife traveled on her maiden name because she never changed her passport. We carried the marriage license just in case, but approached Customs together and didn't have any problem, other than getting sent to Ag because we bought chocolate at the airport in MUC.

Years ago me and my then american husband lived in Sweden.

We flew to USA to visit his family and friends. He went through as an american. And I had to go through immigration as a visitor.

I was aksed why I came to USA. Answered I came with my american husband for a visit.

Immigration looked very confused and didnt really know what to do.
Like we would be first american/foreigner married couple not living here , only visitning.

I did get through after a few minutes of silence.He never asked me if I planned to stay since I/we lived abroad.

My 220 year old son and I have 2 different last names.

We live at the same address ,and I have always only filled out one customer form.

However I was told when he was 5 by a flight attendant. That he need to fill out his own form because of different last names.

I told her that he couldnt do that cause he could not read or write.

I never had problems.