Got a green card

[Josephs 0]

My wife has her green card now, but we did all the paper work in the wrong name...her name before we got married, my questions are... How hard is it to change the name, and how long does it take? also when we do change the name, will we need to go back to the Homeland security building? (3 hours away )

My last question is... now what do we need to do? after we do the name change and all that is taken care of, do we just wait until the 2 years is up (-90 days) then file for the 2nd interview. Oh and can she get a passport and Visa, so we can visit her parents and family back in Vietnam?

Oh and does she still need her green card? and also when do we get a new social? because her current one says not valid with out a EAD

Edited April 22, 2010 by Josephs

[Danu 19]

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-90.pdf Is the form you need to fill out to do the change. The USCIS website says its $290 and that you may have to pay another $80 for the biometrics again, but you would have to read the instructions to see if that applies to you. Not sure how long it takes or any of that. She can't get a passport from the US, she will have to travel on her vietnam one until she becomes a USC. If its expired you will have to go through the consulate/embassy to get a new one. She shouldn't need a visa to go back, she just needs the greencard to come back. For the other question, yes you file in 2 years - 90 days for the ROC. I believe thats from the date of this conditional residency card, not from the new one with the right name, as thats the length of time shes been approved. After 3 years she can file to become a USC if she decides to.

[Josephs 0]

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-90.pdf Is the form you need to fill out to do the change. The USCIS website says its $290 and that you may have to pay another $80 for the biometrics again, but you would have to read the instructions to see if that applies to you. Not sure how long it takes or any of that. She can't get a passport from the US, she will have to travel on her vietnam one until she becomes a USC. If its expired you will have to go through the consulate/embassy to get a new one. She shouldn't need a visa to go back, she just needs the greencard to come back. For the other question, yes you file in 2 years - 90 days for the ROC. I believe thats from the date of this conditional residency card, not from the new one with the right name, as thats the length of time shes been approved. After 3 years she can file to become a USC if she decides to.

my question on that is. her Green card and her Passport will have a different name, (passport old, Green Card new, Will this be a problem? also will she need a visa? to leave and come back like a USC? or will her green card act the same as a Visa?

Edited April 23, 2010 by Josephs

[Danu 19]

my question on that is. her Green card and her Passport will have a different name, (passport old, Green Card new, Will this be a problem? also will she need a visa? to leave and come back like a USC? or will her green card act the same as a Visa?

The green card takes place of a visa, as she is now a perminant resident.. You can get her passport updated overseas if you want, or travel with your marriage cert to show the name change.

Edited April 23, 2010 by Danu

[Darnell 8,479]

I dunno, if you have travel plans for the next 2 years - having a green card IN THE SAME NAME AS THE PASSPORT name saves a bunch of headaches, when returning to the USA.