Name spelled differently...

[Sherri and Matt 1]

We are finally preparing everything to send off to Vermont at the end of this week!

The ONLY thing that worries me is that my name is spelled 2 different ways on documents. My Birth Certificate is SherriE ( I am the USC) and everything else I have my name is spelled SherrI. No E. My whole life I spelled my name with only an I, it has only an I on my social security card, just an I on my former marriage license and my divorce decree, I sign my name with just an I. I never even knew my birth certificate was with an E on the end. I know you have to show proof of any name changes so I called the SS Administration and they said they have always had me with just an I because that is the spelling my mother used when she applied for the card when I was a baby. The lady told me back in those days they did not confirm as carefully with birth records as they do now. My mom says the hospital mispelled my name on the BC.

Has anyone out there had anything like this? My concern is because my BC is what establishes my citizenship and it doesn't exactly match all the other stuff. The SSA told me it would take about 90 days to get documention that my mom got my card with that spelling. If I end up with an RFE that takes 90 days just to get supporting evidence...I am going over the edge!

[junglejao 0]

I don't think I would worry about it. If you have a driver's license, in addition to your social security card, with the spelling you have used your whole life, you should be fine. If you think about when you change your name after marriage, you change your social security card and your driver's license to make it official. If those things match, then I believe that is your legal identity. If you have a passport with that spelling as well, then I definitely think there will be no problem.

One thing you might consider doing is including your name as it is listed on your BC on the forms when they ask for "other/previous names used".

Good luck!

[Sherri and Matt 1]

I don't think I would worry about it. If you have a driver's license, in addition to your social security card, with the spelling you have used your whole life, you should be fine. If you think about when you change your name after marriage, you change your social security card and your driver's license to make it official. If those things match, then I believe that is your legal identity. If you have a passport with that spelling as well, then I definitely think there will be no problem.

One thing you might consider doing is including your name as it is listed on your BC on the forms when they ask for "other/previous names used".

Good luck!

My driver's license also has the "ie" spelling. I don't have a passport, but I imagine it would also go by my birth certificate and be an ie as well. I will definately put it down under the other name part where you also put your maiden name, but it was my understanding you needed to have documents proving those changes, for example a marriage license. I have nothing to explain why the E is dropped on my marriage certificate and divorce.