Family Name?

[Patrick and eL 0]

I've never been very good at filling out forms. The forms I sent in (I-130 and I-129F) I entered my birth name (I'm the sponsor, the US Citizen) for Family Name and I entered my wife's birth name as well. My name has changed, as has my wife's (she is divorced), and I put those current names in the "Other Names" box including her previous married name and now our name. And I put my "current" name in the "Other Names" box as well. How much of a "screw-up" is this, if it is one? We've prepared new forms to deal with this matter if needed.

The I-130 was filed in March (we marred in Feb) and the I-129F was filed in April of this year (2008).

Thoughts, suggestions?

[pushbrk 13,079]

I've never been very good at filling out forms. The forms I sent in (I-130 and I-129F) I entered my birth name (I'm the sponsor, the US Citizen) for Family Name and I entered my wife's birth name as well. My name has changed, as has my wife's (she is divorced), and I put those current names in the "Other Names" box including her previous married name and now our name. And I put my "current" name in the "Other Names" box as well. How much of a "screw-up" is this, if it is one? We've prepared new forms to deal with this matter if needed.

The I-130 was filed in March (we marred in Feb) and the I-129F was filed in April of this year (2008).

Thoughts, suggestions?

"Name" is a present tense question. "Other name" would be anything but he current name. What you should have done is not only use your current name but since it is different from the one on your birth certificate, you needed to provide documents to indicate when and how/why it changed.

It may not be a problem for your name but your wife's petitioned for name really should match the one in her passport. Name/background checks may need to be redone once they figure out the original ones were not done on your current names.

This is serious business. Those who know they're not good at filling out forms should get help doing so.

[Eric_and_Corinna 0]

In our case, we filled out my wife's name as her married name; but everything that came back to us from the Consulate is in her maiden name (that's the one on her passport) and they instructed us to use that name for everything forth.

Since you've already filed, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you get an RFE, you get an RFE. As Pushbrk said, I would complile as much evidence as you can in the meantime. You may need it down the road at your interview, (or sooner) so better safe then sorry.

Edited May 10, 2008 by Eric_and_Corinna

[Patrick and eL 0]

Update to my post....Called the 800 number and after an admonishment for being so stupid they directed me to a local office to make an appointment. I went to the Chula Vista office (very nice) and neglected to bring everything with me (note to self). After having a nice conversation with a DHS agent, he gave me some pointers for what my wife needs to bring for her consulate appointment (when she receives that). So I have another appointment on Thursday (5/22/2008) to present my change of name (and that of my wife--marriage certificate already submitted) and they will send an e-mail requesting the change be recorded having seen proof of the correct name.

Since our I130 was received in Mid-March and the I-129F in Mid-April, the timing is good.

Family name=current name for you and spouse/fiance.

[Patrick and eL 0]

Update to my post....Called the 800 number and after an admonishment for being so stupid they directed me to a local office to make an appointment. I went to the Chula Vista office (very nice) and neglected to bring everything with me (note to self). After having a nice conversation with a DHS agent, he gave me some pointers for what my wife needs to bring for her consulate appointment (when she receives that). So I have another appointment on Thursday (5/22/2008) to present my change of name (and that of my wife--marriage certificate already submitted) and they will send an e-mail requesting the change be recorded having seen proof of the correct name.

Since our I130 was received in Mid-March and the I-129F in Mid-April, the timing is good.

Family name=current name for you and spouse/fiance.

After going through that appointment with a very nice agent, and having him give me reasonable instructions of what to send to CSC, I did. They sent it back to me stating any updates needed to go through their 800 number. So, again, I called the 800 number and talked to someone who knew what to do, took the updated name information, and submitted it. I received a note via email that the name change would be made during final adjudication. YES!