More ???? regarding filling out forms

[Mrs. P 6]

The rate I'm going maybe I do need to get in contact with another lawyer, it's so weird how it looks so easy from the outside but once you start to read and fill out forms, the confusion and headache set in.

So I have not changed my name since becoming married last year, now does this affect me in anyway? Does it affect the "bonafide" relationship that we must prove? Also, does my husband use my maiden name on the forms or my married name?

Also (bare with me) 2 years ago I was in the US on a J-1 Visa. I received a SSN with this. On the forms where it asks for my SSN do I put it down? I'm assuming that I will keep this same SSN unless it was just a temporary one?

Thank you for everyone that responds. Unfortunately this probably wont be the last of my questions

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Changing your name does not affect the petition in anyway. Make the decision to change your name not based on immigration but based on what is important to you. This is the 21st century, many women dont' change their names and USCIS doesn't care. On the forms, put what your name is, if you changed it then put your new married name.

Yes, if you have an SSN then put it down. When processing the forms they'll know you were in the US on a J-1 and will expect you to have an SSN, if you dont' list it, it looks suspicous.

Your SSN is yours for life. WHen you move to the US on your new visa, make sure you go and update your status with the SSN office

Good luck.

PS you don't need a lawyer, you have found VJ so save yourself thousands of dollars and post your questions here. If you have a complicated case then by all means hire a lawyer, but if yours is simple, then VJ is for you!

[dasaleph 0]

Not changing your name definitely won't hurt you if you have a bonafide marriage.

But since you haven't changed your name as you said, I don't understand the difference between your maiden name and your married name. You said you haven't changed it so it should be identical. You would need to clarify that for me.

As for the SSN, I would suggest you simply write an email to the Social Security Administration and find out if your SSN is still valid or not.

Social Security Administration

[OBX 51]

Changing your name does not affect the petition in anyway. Make the decision to change your name not based on immigration but based on what is important to you. This is the 21st century, many women dont' change their names and USCIS doesn't care. On the forms, put what your name is, if you changed it then put your new married name.

Yes, if you have an SSN then put it down. When processing the forms they'll know you were in the US on a J-1 and will expect you to have an SSN, if you dont' list it, it looks suspicous.

Your SSN is yours for life. WHen you move to the US on your new visa, make sure you go and update your status with the SSN office

Good luck.

PS you don't need a lawyer, you have found VJ so save yourself thousands of dollars and post your questions here. If you have a complicated case then by all means hire a lawyer, but if yours is simple, then VJ is for you!

^^Agreed. Fill out your forms with the name you are using. Keep in mind that whatever name is on your passport will be used on your visa and green card. If you are thinking of switching to your married name you may want to complete the change prior to your interview. I submitted all of our forms with my married name and then used the time waiting for the NOA2 to change my Ontario ID (health card and driver's license) and then my passport. Good luck!

[Mrs. P 6]

Changing your name does not affect the petition in anyway. Make the decision to change your name not based on immigration but based on what is important to you. This is the 21st century, many women dont' change their names and USCIS doesn't care. On the forms, put what your name is, if you changed it then put your new married name.

Yes, if you have an SSN then put it down. When processing the forms they'll know you were in the US on a J-1 and will expect you to have an SSN, if you dont' list it, it looks suspicous.

Your SSN is yours for life. WHen you move to the US on your new visa, make sure you go and update your status with the SSN office

Good luck.

PS you don't need a lawyer, you have found VJ so save yourself thousands of dollars and post your questions here. If you have a complicated case then by all means hire a lawyer, but if yours is simple, then VJ is for you!

Thanks. I'm wondering if I could just consult with a lawyer in regards to filling out forms. I'm looking over all of them and some of them are confusing. I don't want to make any mistakes and hold up the process. Or maybe I'm making it seem more difficult than it is.

[Mrs. P 6]

Not changing your name definitely won't hurt you if you have a bonafide marriage.

But since you haven't changed your name as you said, I don't understand the difference between your maiden name and your married name. You said you haven't changed it so it should be identical. You would need to clarify that for me.

As for the SSN, I would suggest you simply write an email to the Social Security Administration and find out if your SSN is still valid or not.

Social Security Administration

Thanks. Sorry I just realized how confusing that was. I do want to change my name when I move over to the US, but It seems I may have to change my name over here in order for that to take place. As OBX has stated in this post.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Take a look at the example forms posted on here. There isn't anything that a lawyer could tell you that people on here cannot. Many times lawyers will tell you incorrect or out dated information

Good luck.

Thanks. I'm wondering if I could just consult with a lawyer in regards to filling out forms. I'm looking over all of them and some of them are confusing. I don't want to make any mistakes and hold up the process. Or maybe I'm making it seem more difficult than it is.

[OBX 51]

Take a look at the example forms posted on here. There isn't anything that a lawyer could tell you that people on here cannot. Many times lawyers will tell you incorrect or out dated information

Good luck.

Once again canadian_wife had given wise advice.

If your case is a straightforward you will find all of the information you need here and should have no problems filing on your own. You will find many examples of couples that have spent money on lawyers only to realize later they could have managed just as well on their own. This process is expensive enough as it is! Good luck.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

And here is the link for the example forms

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;page=examples

[christeen 966]

I found that by following the guides here and asking whateve questions I had, I was able to complete everything MUCH faster than with a lawyer and saved thousands... Also, keep in mind that a lawyer will probably direct you to do a K3 saying they process faster... But hte TURTH is that, although they are free to file initally, they will cost your a significant amount and the lawyer makes much more $$$ by doing this, that is why they recommend it. But it slows down the CR1 and takes the same amount of time...

Just follow the guides and dont overstress about each little thing, and ask here if you have a question or not sure how to answer...

Good luck

[soonenough 1]

Just had my interview a couple days ago and as far as the name thing goes... I put Down her now married name when i first filed the forms.. At the interview they changed it back to her original name because it had to reflect whatever was on Her passport and they made her "alias or other names used" the married name... So whatever the name is used on your passport, use that... and under "aliases" use the married name.. Either way using the married name didn't change or affect my processing times. And they corrected it in the end:)

[Mrs. P 6]

Once again canadian_wife had given wise advice.

If your case is a straightforward you will find all of the information you need here and should have no problems filing on your own. You will find many examples of couples that have spent money on lawyers only to realize later they could have managed just as well on their own. This process is expensive enough as it is! Good luck.

Thanks!! Cutting costs is just what we need to do at this stage in our lives!!

[Mrs. P 6]

And here is the link for the example forms

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;page=examples

Thank you very much I checked them out. I still have a few questions in regards to some of the forms, I'll address them sometime this week...starting another semester and school is on my mind....hell....everything is on my mind...bout to EXPLODE!

[Mrs. P 6]

Just had my interview a couple days ago and as far as the name thing goes... I put Down her now married name when i first filed the forms.. At the interview they changed it back to her original name because it had to reflect whatever was on Her passport and they made her "alias or other names used" the married name... So whatever the name is used on your passport, use that... and under "aliases" use the married name.. Either way using the married name didn't change or affect my processing times. And they corrected it in the end:)

So all her US identification will be in her maiden name? Like her Green Card and SSN?

Thanks guys for the encouragement! I can see that this process will have it's ups and downs, but in the end be all worth it!

[canadian_wife 1,829]

If she changes her passport before the interview, then her visa will be issued in her married name. Then her US identification will also be in her married name

Good luck.