Spouse's name NOT added to Indian passport

[sachinky 465]

Hi all,

Our CR-1 visa interview is coming up on May 12, 2010 at Mumbai and I'm beginning to freak out about any and every little thing.

I retained my maiden name after marriage. I haven't had the time to get my husband's name added to my passport as we were told it would take at least a month to do so. We didn't want to wait around and prefered to get started on the paperwork right away. A copy of the passport has been required at every stage (USCIS, NVC, medical, VFS) and we didn't want to NOT have it in our possession and potentially lose a lot of time. With our interview just 3 weeks away, I don't think we'll have enough time to get it changed now and besides my passport is valid till 2017.

Could this potentially be a problem? Has anyone encountered any questions during their interview? Any experience regarding this issue?

I'd appreciate any advice/thoughts/opinions regarding this.

Thanks!

[bobby_kvisa 7]

This detail about adding Spouse's name to the passport does not seem to be mentioned anywhere on the Embassy website, as far as I can tell.

I read one experience online where someone was told that whether or not they have their spouse's name in their passport, that is not proof they are married.

I think you should be fine as long as you have your marriage certificate - that should be enough along with other evidence.

Edited April 19, 2010 by bobby_kvisa

[bobby_kvisa 7]

Also, if you really want to get your husbands name in your passport you can submit the request using the TATKAAL method available from the Passport office. However, I would only advise you do this if you know an agent that can be trusted to do it properly for your in the amount of time. The general quoted time for this is no more than 20 days.

We knew an agent in Delhi who did this for us in about 12 days - and he said it could have been done a little faster than that if we wanted. Our Agent was connected with the Police Station so there was no police verification involved.

You would have to fill out the Form, Submit copies of your Marriage Certificate, copies of your Husband's Passport and some passport size photographs.

You can call your police station (or police officer if you know one) and ask them if they have an agent to do passport work for you. That way at least you can see what they are telling you in your city.

[sachinky 465]

Thanks for your reply.

I've read a few reviews where the applicant has been questioned as to why the spouse's name is missing. However, it was a one-off question and they weren't hassled about it.

I hope it's no big issue.

I did call an agent today. They said it would take 20-25 days at the very earliest.

[sachinky 465]

I'll make a few more calls tomorrow morning as well.

The thing is I have to submit my stuff to VFS next Monday. They will require the original passport. So 27th is the earliest I could submit the application to have my husband's name added. 10-12 days from that would be cutting too short as well. It is my understanding that doing so would cancel my current passport and a new one will be issued -- yes?

[bobby_kvisa 7]

I dont think it will mean your current passport will be cancelled, but I could be wrong.

From the passport.gov.in website it says:

Application Form No. 2

Application Form No. 2 is for making application for Police Clearance Certificate, Deletion of ECR Stamp, Inclusion of Spouse's name and change of address. The same Form is used for renewing a short term validity passport to its full term validity.

I assume you have already received your Police Clearance Certificate on your existing passport. If so I assume you received the PCC stamp on your existing passport and they did not cancel and reissue a new one. I think the procedure will be the same for your husband's name on it, and you will retain the same passport - it should just be updated.

Of course, all of these points should be confirmed again with the agent. It's possible the husband's name part means extra steps that are not written on the website - that passport.gov.in website is not completely clear.

[sachinky 465]

Yes, I did get my Passport Clearance stamped in the current passport that I hold. But why would they reissue a new one for THAT? It's just a notification on one of the inner pages.

The spouse's name is on the laminated page which leads me to believe that they'd have to issue a new one as there is no way to add that in, in pen. Or I guess they could make a notation on one of the inner pages.

For example, my expiry date is incorrect on the laminated biographic page. It is corrected inside with a notation attached. I wonder if they could do the same with the spouse's name.

Thanks for your replies--I'll talk to another agent tomorrow morning!

[isitasham 1]

Could this potentially be a problem? Has anyone encountered any questions during their interview? Any experience regarding this issue?

I'd appreciate any advice/thoughts/opinions regarding this.

Thanks!

I don't think it is an issue. Your passport was issued before you got married, right? It should't be an issue at all.

In my fiancee's case, her passport still has her late husband's name on it.

US passports don't even have a place for spouse's or parents name unlike Indian passports.

I suggest, Don't worry about getting it changed at this late stage. Just be prepared to answer the question if at all it is asked.

Good luck.

[sachinky 465]

Thanks, man.

Yeah, my passport was issued in 1997 when I was ten years old. It's valid till 2017.

I spoke to another agent this morning. He said it could be done in 7 days. However, both my PCCs are issued against this current passport. And he also said, that I would be issued a new updated passport which would render the passport clearance stamped in my current passport as effectively cancelled.

Aw, fuggit. I'm just going to take a chance with this. I doubt it's a big deal.

[Ready2Kl 1]

Thanks for your reply.

I've read a few reviews where the applicant has been questioned as to why the spouse's name is missing. However, it was a one-off question and they weren't hassled about it.

I hope it's no big issue.

I did call an agent today. They said it would take 20-25 days at the very earliest.

I have read a few cases where they did not have any issues without the spouse's name. I would agree on the timeline of 20-25 days and its always a risk dealing with indian government agencies and giving your passport to them at this stage. In our case they said it would take 10 days but our file got misplaced and it eventually took us about 3 weeks. The only reason we had to add the spouse name was because that was a requirement before we could apply for our infant daughter's indian passport.

[jjcentral 0]

I would worry more if your passport is expiring in the next few months or if the pages are worn out, because that seems to be a problem recently. Having your maiden name (or your husband's family name) is your right and no one can instruct you in any way to change yours. The only reason it would come in handy is when you go to apply for ssn or drivers license or any other long term databases, then it is worth it to have your husband name added in your passport so you don't have to do everything twice.

[sachinky 465]

Thanks for your input, fellas. I guess I just to calm down and hope this isn't an issue.

I called VFS today, they said it's not problem since we have the PCCs with his name on it and of course, the marriage certificate.

I really don't want to take a chance this late in the game dealing with Indian governmental agencies.

I already have a SSN and all that jazz so I'm not worried about that.

I might have it updated/changed later once all of this is done and over with.

Edited April 20, 2010 by sachinky

[DanielParul 50]

I haven't changed my name on my passport yet or my SSN card either. Have not faced any problem even while travelling to India. You will be fine.

[sachinky 465]

Thanks, Parul -- I hope so.

My nerves are beginning to get the better of me.

[DanielParul 50]

Thanks, Parul -- I hope so.

My nerves are beginning to get the better of me.

Haha. Out of all the people I think you will have the most nerves about you during the interview. Like I said, you will do alright. Just waiting till you can announce your visa approval on VJ.