Ukraine Name Change.. Oh my .......

[SMR 368]

In our case, we decided to get married in Ukraine instead of her coming on a fiance visa. I didn't want to have any hassles with name differences etc and she wanted to take my name, so before she ever left Ukraine, she changed her name on all documents. It took 3-4 weeks to get her internal Ukrainian passport change and then a couple weeks to get her international Ukrainian passport changed after that. I'm really glad we did it that way as we've never had any hassle over inconsistent documents at all.

The only minor hitch was on her internal passport change they looked at my surname (which we translated to Ukrainian) and thought it was some kind of joke so they just sat on the passport rather than working on it. My wife had to go in and check on it a second time...at that time they said they figured if it was real someone would come and ask about it. (Only in Ukraine, right?!? hahaha) After that everything was smooth sailing.

We also got copies of all her school records and other important documents and had them translated in Ukraine really cheaply. It gave my wife something to do while waiting for the visa and made things a whole lot easier once she got to the States.

So chalk me up as +1 for getting everything changed before they even leave their country. (Besides...it's sort of cool to see your English name translated into Cyrillic)

I think you have a really good point here. We had some good reasons for doing things the way we did, but I think this is really important information for anyone who is trying to decide between CR-1 and K-1. This is not something that is at all obvious but in reality it's a large + in the CR-1 column. It's probably somewhat specific to RUB because document changes are a pain in RUB countries and because the transliteration aspect causes another dimension.

[visaveteran 1]

We married in Russia and before my wife came to the US both her passports were close to expiring...so she had both renewed with her married name. Of course the Russian translation system was not very exact so the last name on the passports is different. The only thing we have to do is book airline tickets for her using the passport name. Her Green Card, SS card and other US Ids are correctly spelled.

My wife has traveled back to Russia without problems.

[Brad and Vika 129]

We married in Russia and before my wife came to the US both her passports were close to expiring...so she had both renewed with her married name. Of course the Russian translation system was not very exact so the last name on the passports is different. The only thing we have to do is book airline tickets for her using the passport name. Her Green Card, SS card and other US Ids are correctly spelled.

My wife has traveled back to Russia without problems.

Exactly what I was talking about. When we came back from the UK earlier this year, Vika needed a GC, drivers license, and a copy of our marraige certificate to get on the plane. The different name on her passport causes all kinds of hassle everywhere but Ukraine. She does have a great point about taxes and inheritance though being totally screwed up by the name change. My position is that is all going to happen when she gets her American passport in any event.

[Ryan & Inna 0]

Great information,

thank you everyone!

And yes we plan to completely fulfill and exceed the greencard requirements when we say we will rotate.

We have family that can check mail for us if we use AP... we may just wait for greencard but we want to know we can travel before if needed. (if homesick)

I'm looking into the court order document that proves name change so that when we travel we have the apostilled court order document indicating name change, apostilled marriage cert and all supporting documents so that maybe Inna can retain her maiden name in Ukrainian documents. She has property ownership so we're confused about name change and retaining ownership etc. We'll prolly do another visit to ukrainian lawyer to discuss this when I am in UA in December.

I just got my Ukraine Visa and I agree seeing names translated into Cryllic is cool

oh and...

This site is...just plain... amazing

Edited November 16, 2010 by Ryan & Inna

[Ryan & Inna 0]

Inna had mentioned to me that it could be possible to just change her name with her documents before the K1 interview to my name because apparently theres no requirements to what name you have you just submit documents to OVIR and they do the change.

My only concern would be that the I-129F packet would not match when interview comes and raise flags... anyone have any opinion on this 'potential' solution?

I suppose she would have an official document from Ukraine that she would present to the consulate but of course her maiden name then be my name. Then we will have married with same last name...

[SMR 368]

Inna had mentioned to me that it could be possible to just change her name with her documents before the K1 interview to my name because apparently theres no requirements to what name you have you just submit documents to OVIR and they do the change.

My only concern would be that the I-129F packet would not match when interview comes and raise flags... anyone have any opinion on this 'potential' solution?

I suppose she would have an official document from Ukraine that she would present to the consulate but of course her maiden name then be my name. Then we will have married with same last name...

My concern would be that you are applying for a K-1 fiancee visa. That means you have to be engaged but not married. Although you can have the same name and not be married, the consulate may give you extra grief because of this. I don't have any experience but I can definitely see this giving you a problem. They will not like the fact that you already changed names.

[baron555 934]

Inna had mentioned to me that it could be possible to just change her name with her documents before the K1 interview to my name because apparently theres no requirements to what name you have you just submit documents to OVIR and they do the change.

My only concern would be that the I-129F packet would not match when interview comes and raise flags... anyone have any opinion on this 'potential' solution?

I suppose she would have an official document from Ukraine that she would present to the consulate but of course her maiden name then be my name. Then we will have married with same last name...

Sounds like your overcomplicating an uncomplicated issue. Why not just do the K-1, then get married, and then later, like most folks, change names?

Or, as we say in the Dog show business, "Never make the judge have to think." In your case, never make the CO at the Embassy have to think.

Edited November 16, 2010 by baron555

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Seeing how it's difficult for Ukrainians to get a visa to EU country's (Schengen Zone), not to mention I don't see things getting any better in Ukraine as far as economy and politics (Yanukovych), I would get married with all the proper documents (apostille, translated documents, etc..), and then make name change on all documents including her passport.

[Neonred 3,540]

Seeing how it's difficult for Ukrainians to get a visa to EU country's (Schengen Zone), not to mention I don't see things getting any better in Ukraine as far as economy and politics (Yanukovych), I would get married with all the proper documents (apostille, translated documents, etc..), and then make name change on all documents including her passport.

Why do you think it would be difficult to get a Schengen visa without changing the name in the passport?

[Brad and Vika 129]

Inna had mentioned to me that it could be possible to just change her name with her documents before the K1 interview to my name because apparently theres no requirements to what name you have you just submit documents to OVIR and they do the change.

My only concern would be that the I-129F packet would not match when interview comes and raise flags... anyone have any opinion on this 'potential' solution?

I suppose she would have an official document from Ukraine that she would present to the consulate but of course her maiden name then be my name. Then we will have married with same last name...

Do not 1) marry and change names before applying for, or interviewing for, a K-1 (you will be wasting your time) or, 2) change names legally, then proceed with the K-1 process. If I understood that post right, a CO would think you are marrying your cousin or something - and turn you down flat.

Seeing how it's difficult for Ukrainians to get a visa to EU country's (Schengen Zone), not to mention I don't see things getting any better in Ukraine as far as economy and politics (Yanukovych), I would get married with all the proper documents (apostille, translated documents, etc..), and then make name change on all documents including her passport.

Vika got two Schengen visas and a UK visa with her Ukrainian passport still in maiden name. The UK visa came after all sorts of disclosure about her marraige. Come to think, so did the others, because you have to demonstrate how you will pay for the trip. My paystubs + marraige certificate seemed to work.

[Ryan & Inna 0]

Just came to mind...

Are USA marriages recognized in Ukraine?

In Ukrainian Government's eyes.. are we married if married in USA?

[baron555 934]

Just came to mind...

Are USA marriages recognized in Ukraine?

In Ukrainian Government's eyes.. are we married if married in USA?

Yes

[Brad and Vika 129]

Just came to mind...

Are USA marriages recognized in Ukraine?

In Ukrainian Government's eyes.. are we married if married in USA?

Yes and no. The government will recognize that you are married, but you will be unable to do anything legal (like obligate your spouse) without some legal documents. Likewise, if your spouse takes your last name (after you are married, mind), she won't be able to do anything legally binding either without the correct documents/stamps - I think that is true even for herself.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Why do you think it would be difficult to get a Schengen visa without changing the name in the passport?

Once they have a green card, Schengen visa is relatively easy to get regardless of whether they change their name or not. In fact, it is basically a "slam dunk" provided you meet the other requirements, the noationality will not longer be a problem. The German consulate in Boston issues them "while you wait" between 9-12 am every day, for example.

[Neonred 3,540]

Once they have a green card, Schengen visa is relatively easy to get regardless of whether they change their name or not. In fact, it is basically a "slam dunk" provided you meet the other requirements, the noationality will not longer be a problem. The German consulate in Boston issues them "while you wait" between 9-12 am every day, for example.

Yes, exactly. That is why I did not understand what the problem is with getting the visa with or without a name change.