Biographical Information

[Medvejonek 0]

Hi everyone,

I have a question about the Biographical Information section for the AOS. What do they mean by "Family Name" Should my wife put her new married name or use her maiden name? On her Social Security card it lists her married name, but her Russian passport list her maiden. Also her name is spelled differently in the Russian-to-English translation.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Med

[Not Available 0]

We put my married name as its my new family name. my passport is still in my maiden but it doesnt matter because i sent in my marriage certificate with it to show the name change.

[rushter 0]

There's a lot of posts about this subject - For Russian spouses you need to make a real 'command decision' here.

If she's going to want to go back to her country anytime soon, the issue of traveling freely will end once you file AOS with her married name because her passport(s) reflect her original name, not her married name.

So, once she gets her green card, (in her married name), she will need to go home to change her internal passport, then her international passport to her married name so she can come back to the USA.

Why?

Because the I94 / Visa will be invalid (and I94 removed at aos) and for one reason or another the way I've read the threads... the Russian folks won't let her come back to the USA (board a plane) unless she has a valid visa in the same name that's in her passports! Apparently the RG does not recognize name changes here with regard to a usa permanent resident card.

Think about it...

Wife reenters Russia with her passports in her maiden name.

Wife expects to leave Russia... her passport no longer has a valid visa to the USA.

Her only proof is a green card in her married name.

The RG says... kharasho... nyet!

If her green card was in the same name as her passport(s), then it would be smooth sailing. No hassle at all.

Otherwise, you're screwed.

Considering the ####### involved, name changes aren't worth the trouble imo. After all, it's the love and real relationship that are the most important.