On the Russian Side...

[shikarnov 7]

Hi All,

Now that Ira has been AOS approved and will be getting her Green Card in a few weeks, we decided that it was time to figure out if we needed to do anything on the Russian side. Specifically, she's wondering if our marriage and her name change needs to be reported (if so, to whom, and why), and if I'll need to continue getting a visa in order to visit our family overseas.

Does anybody have have ideas or thoughts about this?

Thanks in advance,

ZS

PS: She's still "registered" as a resident of her mother's apartment. If that changes, will she have to register every time she visits in the future like a tourist?

Edited March 19, 2010 by shikarnov

[Neonred 3,564]

Hi All,

Now that Ira has been AOS approved and will be getting her Green Card in a few weeks, we decided that it was time to figure out if we needed to do anything on the Russian side. Specifically, she's wondering if our marriage and her name change needs to be reported (if so, to whom, and why), and if I'll need to continue getting a visa in order to visit our family overseas.

Does anybody have have ideas or thoughts about this?

Thanks in advance,

ZS

PS: She's still "registered" as a resident of her mother's apartment. If that changes, will she have to register every time she visits in the future like a tourist?

Here is what we did. Got my wife's new name noted in her international passport at the embassy here. She kept her registration in our apartment in Russia. Tried to change her name in her internal passport on our last visit but gave up as it was too much trouble and won't make much difference anyway (just have to stay with the name change not in her international passport which works fine). Did not record our marriage in Russia. Yes, you will still need a visa to visit.

[SMR 368]

Hi All,

Now that Ira has been AOS approved and will be getting her Green Card in a few weeks, we decided that it was time to figure out if we needed to do anything on the Russian side. Specifically, she's wondering if our marriage and her name change needs to be reported (if so, to whom, and why), and if I'll need to continue getting a visa in order to visit our family overseas.

Does anybody have have ideas or thoughts about this?

Thanks in advance,

ZS

PS: She's still "registered" as a resident of her mother's apartment. If that changes, will she have to register every time she visits in the future like a tourist?

As far as visas, yes, you still need one. Nothing really changed for you.

As far as changing her name, it isn't really necessary and doesn't do much.

As far as registration, Russian citizens don't have to register in the city unless they are there for more than 3 months. So, for a long visit you may have to work something out. Or buy train tickets to and from a neighboring city every 3 months (I'm serious). But for a short visit, you don't need to worry about it. However, (I'm sure your wife understands this) removing your wife's registration in her mother's apartment is cutting the rope back in a very major way (if you should ever wish to return). There are ways back, but it's much harder.

[shikarnov 7]

Here is what we did. Got my wife's new name noted in her international passport at the embassy here. She kept her registration in our apartment in Russia. Tried to change her name in her internal passport on our last visit but gave up as it was too much trouble and won't make much difference anyway (just have to stay with the name change not in her international passport which works fine). Did not record our marriage in Russia. Yes, you will still need a visa to visit.

So get a notation on the International passport, but leave the Internal alone. Gotcha. Thanks for the reply.

As far as visas, yes, you still need one. Nothing really changed for you.

As far as changing her name, it isn't really necessary and doesn't do much.

As far as registration, Russian citizens don't have to register in the city unless they are there for more than 3 months. So, for a long visit you may have to work something out. Or buy train tickets to and from a neighboring city every 3 months (I'm serious). But for a short visit, you don't need to worry about it. However, (I'm sure your wife understands this) removing your wife's registration in her mother's apartment is cutting the rope back in a very major way (if you should ever wish to return). There are ways back, but it's much harder.

I don't understand why it would be harder to get back. Is living abroad some sort of a legal limbo from which there's no return, or is it a matter of ignorant bureaucrats making life difficult for everybody just because they can?

Also - would US Citizenship affect her status in Russia, should she choose to pursue it (as I believe she will)?

Thanks for your reply.

[Martyshk 137]

Also - would US Citizenship affect her status in Russia, should she choose to pursue it (as I believe she will)?

Thanks for your reply.

I know a ton of Russians here who kept their International Russian passport after obtaining US Citizenship and it didn't affect their status.

When they travel back home, they just use both passports.