Marriage with Ukrainians on K-1 Visa and Last Name Change

[Natalya-Dmitriy 0]

Hello,

I have a question about the marriage with Ukrainians on K-1 Visa. After the marriage, my wife decided to change her last name to mine. We change all American documents (Social security, state ID, etc) – no problems. However, when I called to Ukrainian consular in Chicago and ask them about changing her foreign Ukrainian passport due to the last name change, I was told that according to Ukrainian law, she is a visitor in USA and our marriage is not valid. The only way for her to change her last name will be us together to go back to Ukraine, get married over there and change Ukrainian internal passport. Only after that she can change Ukrainian foreign passport with different name. Also, in two years her Ukrainian passport is due and needs to be replaced. She will have a green card for different last name. Will it be a problem? Did anyone have similar issue? How is it going to work with traveling back to Ukraine? For what last name should she purchase airfare? Thank you everyone!

[johndecka 0]

Hello,

I have a question about the marriage with Ukrainians on K-1 Visa. After the marriage, my wife decided to change her last name to mine. We change all American documents (Social security, state ID, etc) – no problems. However, when I called to Ukrainian consular in Chicago and ask them about changing her foreign Ukrainian passport due to the last name change, I was told that according to Ukrainian law, she is a visitor in USA and our marriage is not valid. The only way for her to change her last name will be us together to go back to Ukraine, get married over there and change Ukrainian internal passport. Only after that she can change Ukrainian foreign passport with different name. Also, in two years her Ukrainian passport is due and needs to be replaced. She will have a green card for different last name. Will it be a problem? Did anyone have similar issue? How is it going to work with traveling back to Ukraine? For what last name should she purchase airfare? Thank you everyone!

Will she be able to renew her PAssport without leaving the USA?

Since all her Documents are already in ur last name,

she has no problem with the system here.

Is getting her New passport very urgent?

if not,juat do search renewing her passport here in usa.

Also if her passport has more than 3 yrs left, then by that time she could apply for citizenship.

But if u n her really need to get her name changed on passport n will

goi back to Ukrain, the she should use her Ukraine last name.

and also bring the MArriage certificate with u, coz when coming back

may have to show to the Immigration officer at the POE.

[payxibka 10,045]

Hello,

I have a question about the marriage with Ukrainians on K-1 Visa. After the marriage, my wife decided to change her last name to mine. We change all American documents (Social security, state ID, etc) – no problems. However, when I called to Ukrainian consular in Chicago and ask them about changing her foreign Ukrainian passport due to the last name change, I was told that according to Ukrainian law, she is a visitor in USA and our marriage is not valid. The only way for her to change her last name will be us together to go back to Ukraine, get married over there and change Ukrainian internal passport. Only after that she can change Ukrainian foreign passport with different name. Also, in two years her Ukrainian passport is due and needs to be replaced. She will have a green card for different last name. Will it be a problem? Did anyone have similar issue? How is it going to work with traveling back to Ukraine? For what last name should she purchase airfare? Thank you everyone!

My wife goes by one name in the US and by another name in Ukraine... Purchase tix in passport name. Carry passport, greencard and marriage certificate or document that makes the name change here in the USA when you travel.

When she enters Ukraine she simply gives them her passport... when she departs she will need passport, greencard and name change document. The border people at KBP and ODS appear to have no issues with this. They allowed my wife in/out without problem.

When arriving in the USA it is essentially the same drill, passport, greencard and name change.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Hello,

I have a question about the marriage with Ukrainians on K-1 Visa. After the marriage, my wife decided to change her last name to mine. We change all American documents (Social security, state ID, etc) – no problems. However, when I called to Ukrainian consular in Chicago and ask them about changing her foreign Ukrainian passport due to the last name change, I was told that according to Ukrainian law, she is a visitor in USA and our marriage is not valid. The only way for her to change her last name will be us together to go back to Ukraine, get married over there and change Ukrainian internal passport. Only after that she can change Ukrainian foreign passport with different name. Also, in two years her Ukrainian passport is due and needs to be replaced. She will have a green card for different last name. Will it be a problem? Did anyone have similar issue? How is it going to work with traveling back to Ukraine? For what last name should she purchase airfare? Thank you everyone!

My wife goes by one name in the US and by another name in Ukraine... Purchase tix in passport name. Carry passport, greencard and marriage certificate or document that makes the name change here in the USA when you travel.

When she enters Ukraine she simply gives them her passport... when she departs she will need passport, greencard and name change document. The border people at KBP and ODS appear to have no issues with this. They allowed my wife in/out without problem.

When arriving in the USA it is essentially the same drill, passport, greencard and name change.

We have had the same discussion. I also read that even if you marry in Ukraine and apply for a new passport with the changed name, there is a months long processing period, and she obviously can't leave during that time. I wonder if 1) it really is that big a hassle, and 2) if expedited processing is available for a fee (bribe)? Any thoughts?

[nyhazmat 2]

We traveled over in August of last year. Me being me, I bought the tickets in her new name. When we got to JFK on the way out we were questioned by the airline and had to give a copy them of our marriage certificate, just a photo copy. In Kiev upon entry she just gave them her Ukrainian passport, no questions asked. We tried to get her passport changed while we were there and were told that she would need to change both passports, internal and external. They said that it would take 6 months to get it done. We tried the offering of some cash and apparently found the one honest government employee, she wouldn't take it. We gave up. When we went to leave, we checked in with the airline using her passport, green card, and copy of the marriage certificate. Passport Control was the same, with no questions at all. Upon arrival back in the US just the green card, very quick and no questions.

We are not going to try changing it again as it just worked to easy.

[Brad and Vika 129]

We traveled over in August of last year. Me being me, I bought the tickets in her new name. When we got to JFK on the way out we were questioned by the airline and had to give a copy them of our marriage certificate, just a photo copy. In Kiev upon entry she just gave them her Ukrainian passport, no questions asked. We tried to get her passport changed while we were there and were told that she would need to change both passports, internal and external. They said that it would take 6 months to get it done. We tried the offering of some cash and apparently found the one honest government employee, she wouldn't take it. We gave up. When we went to leave, we checked in with the airline using her passport, green card, and copy of the marriage certificate. Passport Control was the same, with no questions at all. Upon arrival back in the US just the green card, very quick and no questions.

We are not going to try changing it again as it just worked to easy.

Thanks - I was afraid of that. More to follow eventually...

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We traveled over in August of last year. Me being me, I bought the tickets in her new name. When we got to JFK on the way out we were questioned by the airline and had to give a copy them of our marriage certificate, just a photo copy. In Kiev upon entry she just gave them her Ukrainian passport, no questions asked. We tried to get her passport changed while we were there and were told that she would need to change both passports, internal and external. They said that it would take 6 months to get it done. We tried the offering of some cash and apparently found the one honest government employee, she wouldn't take it. We gave up. When we went to leave, we checked in with the airline using her passport, green card, and copy of the marriage certificate. Passport Control was the same, with no questions at all. Upon arrival back in the US just the green card, very quick and no questions.

We are not going to try changing it again as it just worked to easy.

Thanks - I was afraid of that. More to follow eventually...

For what it is worth, probably not much, my wife has not as does not plan to change her name. We have spoken to the Ukrainian counslate general in New York. The next time we travel to Ukraine we will go to the pasport authorities (internal and foriegn) and they will enter stamps in her passports indicating she is a permanent US resident. This will prevent any travel problems (they say) and in the future she will be able to renew her passports here, at the consulate general in New York. We do not have to deal with the name change issue and they say they should enter the stamps in her passports at the time we visit (probably by paying 50 grivnya extra).

[payxibka 10,045]

For what it is worth, probably not much, my wife has not as does not plan to change her name. We have spoken to the Ukrainian counslate general in New York. The next time we travel to Ukraine we will go to the pasport authorities (internal and foriegn) and they will enter stamps in her passports indicating she is a permanent US resident. This will prevent any travel problems (they say) and in the future she will be able to renew her passports here, at the consulate general in New York. We do not have to deal with the name change issue and they say they should enter the stamps in her passports at the time we visit (probably by paying 50 grivnya extra).

there are horror stories on the net about this "elusive" stamp, from it taking many months to even whether it exits... I will be very curious as to your experience and your outcome when you do this

[Brad and Vika 129]

Staying tuned

[1HappyGuy 45]

My wife has changed her name here to mine but still retains her Ukrainian passport. When we travel internationally I buy her tickets in her Ukrainian name. We just make sure we have a copy of our marriage certificate and her green card. We have not had any trouble so far.

We still have a number of years left on her passport so it's not a problem right now. Of course the other solution is to become a U.S. citizen and get an American passport. But then that would restrict travel to Russia and other FSU countries. There are always a lot of considerations to be made in these circumstances.

[Brad and Vika 129]

My wife has changed her name here to mine but still retains her Ukrainian passport. When we travel internationally I buy her tickets in her Ukrainian name. We just make sure we have a copy of our marriage certificate and her green card. We have not had any trouble so far.

We still have a number of years left on her passport so it's not a problem right now. Of course the other solution is to become a U.S. citizen and get an American passport. But then that would restrict travel to Russia and other FSU countries. There are always a lot of considerations to be made in these circumstances.

Vika says it is a good trade. Yes, she will have trouble getting into Russia, but so what? She has an easier time getting into dozens of other countries that would now require a visa. Imagine, no more fear of getting stuck in an EU transit airport without the ability to get a hotel.

Edited February 7, 2009 by Brad and Vika

[payxibka 10,045]

My wife has changed her name here to mine but still retains her Ukrainian passport. When we travel internationally I buy her tickets in her Ukrainian name. We just make sure we have a copy of our marriage certificate and her green card. We have not had any trouble so far.

We still have a number of years left on her passport so it's not a problem right now. Of course the other solution is to become a U.S. citizen and get an American passport. But then that would restrict travel to Russia and other FSU countries. There are always a lot of considerations to be made in these circumstances.

Vika says it is a good trade. Yes, she will have trouble getting into Russia, but so what? She has an easier time getting into dozens of other countries that would now require a visa. Imagine, no more fear of getting stuck in an EU transit airport without the ability to get a hotel.

Why would she not just use her Ukrainian passport? I know Ukraine does not allow dual citizenship but I have yet to discover how quiclky they will ever find out

[Brad and Vika 129]

My wife has changed her name here to mine but still retains her Ukrainian passport. When we travel internationally I buy her tickets in her Ukrainian name. We just make sure we have a copy of our marriage certificate and her green card. We have not had any trouble so far.

We still have a number of years left on her passport so it's not a problem right now. Of course the other solution is to become a U.S. citizen and get an American passport. But then that would restrict travel to Russia and other FSU countries. There are always a lot of considerations to be made in these circumstances.

Vika says it is a good trade. Yes, she will have trouble getting into Russia, but so what? She has an easier time getting into dozens of other countries that would now require a visa. Imagine, no more fear of getting stuck in an EU transit airport without the ability to get a hotel.

Why would she not just use her Ukrainian passport? I know Ukraine does not allow dual citizenship but I have yet to discover how quiclky they will ever find out

It sounds like you are saying keep your (presumably unexpired) Ukrainian passport, and just use the most convenient passport for the country you want to get into. Vika wonders if there is some system of control where, for example, lack of a stamp somewhere would tip them off. She is nervous about the fact that holding two passports is a crime in Ukraine.

[payxibka 10,045]

My wife has changed her name here to mine but still retains her Ukrainian passport. When we travel internationally I buy her tickets in her Ukrainian name. We just make sure we have a copy of our marriage certificate and her green card. We have not had any trouble so far.

We still have a number of years left on her passport so it's not a problem right now. Of course the other solution is to become a U.S. citizen and get an American passport. But then that would restrict travel to Russia and other FSU countries. There are always a lot of considerations to be made in these circumstances.

Vika says it is a good trade. Yes, she will have trouble getting into Russia, but so what? She has an easier time getting into dozens of other countries that would now require a visa. Imagine, no more fear of getting stuck in an EU transit airport without the ability to get a hotel.

Why would she not just use her Ukrainian passport? I know Ukraine does not allow dual citizenship but I have yet to discover how quiclky they will ever find out

It sounds like you are saying keep your (presumably unexpired) Ukrainian passport, and just use the most convenient passport for the country you want to get into. Vika wonders if there is some system of control where, for example, lack of a stamp somewhere would tip them off. She is nervous about the fact that holding two passports is a crime in Ukraine.

Yes, alledgedly voluntarily acquiring another citizenship is not recognized or allowed. I just do not know how they will know about this. Stamps or lack of stamps will not be the clue but maybe it is some other way.

[stjohn_alum 0]

WE kept my wife's last name, soc sec , drivers license, you name it. Makes things a lot easier. There is no law that I know of here in the United States that says "she must take your last name"....Depends what's on the marriage license....Back 3 yrs agao we decided it would be a lot easier and hassle free going forward just to keep her last name. Besides we have found that having her given surname opens lots of doors for her (education, etc) We have had no problems since. Even with tax returns !!! WE have traveled back and forth many times.....She shows her Ukrainian passport when entering (it also shows her AOS status for US purposes) and coming back also into the US. We always take a copy of marriage lic just in case but never had a problem.. She has also traveled alone back to Ukr without any problems.