Questions about traveling with conditional green card

[SuperDuper! 230]

As long as you have your GC and your passport - you are good to go (or come back).... However, a very valid question was asked by redglasses....

But what if your passport is in your maiden name, and your conditional green card is in the new married name? Does this ever cause problems getting thru customs?

[berrystrawberry 0]

Thank you for the answers guys. The additional information for travel longer than a year was also very helpful!

[himher 634]

It puts the people who check you on the plane to the US in a frenzy. My wife has her name change entered into her passport and stamped with the department of immigration stamp from her home country BUT the photo page still has her maiden name on it. ONLY because her US visa is a full photo page with her married name do they finally let us get on the plane. It happens every time and usually involves a group of 2-4 airline personnel buzzing around "figuring it out" before they finally let us board. At customs/immigration they never say anything - they are interested mostly in the green card.

But what if your passport is in your maiden name, and your conditional green card is in the new married name? Does this ever cause problems getting thru customs?

[selma&elvir 0]

hello redglasses and v333k- i have been outside the US for 4 months, and am about to return now.

Does the length of this period affect what documents are needed?

I have the same questation I wander can I travel with my conditinal green card out of USA , should I bring with me only my green card and passport or I have to obtain some more documents

Thanks in advance

Selma

[SuperDuper! 230]

It puts the people who check you on the plane to the US in a frenzy. My wife has her name change entered into her passport and stamped with the department of immigration stamp from her home country BUT the photo page still has her maiden name on it. ONLY because her US visa is a full photo page with her married name do they finally let us get on the plane. It happens every time and usually involves a group of 2-4 airline personnel buzzing around "figuring it out" before they finally let us board. At customs/immigration they never say anything - they are interested mostly in the green card.

Wow, sounds like a lot of drama everytime you fly. It seems odd that more people here don't have the same problem. I wonder what, short of changing the passport from maiden name to married name, is the interim solution for immigration newlyweds. Does it do any good to bring a marriage certificate or social security card?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wow, sounds like a lot of drama everytime you fly. It seems odd that more people here don't have the same problem. I wonder what, short of changing the passport from maiden name to married name, is the interim solution for immigration newlyweds. Does it do any good to bring a marriage certificate or social security card?

For Fil-Am marriages in the US, and anticipated travel back to the Philippines, it should be reported to the nearest Filipino Consulate. There you can have the passport amended, renewed, or obtain an official document called, "One and the Same Person." It's a pain in the butt, but much better than trying to clear Filipino Customs and board without having it done. As far as travel in other countries, you would think they would have figured out that people change their names when they get married, and it should not be that unusual of a situation.

Edited June 2, 2010 by ##########

[himher 634]

That's correct and in our case the passport is amended. Maybe we just get stuck with some of the dimmer lights on the street or they have gotten so paranoid that they are being extra careful before they let her on the plane.

Update: We just got in from Dubai and we boarded/entered the US smoothly (after 5 months out) The IO just asked a couple questions about my work in Saudi and asked when she was going back and I told him after she finishes her lifting conditions paperwork/biometrics and he stamped her / passed us through.

Whoever the member was here who told us "now there is a file on her after the 11-month absence last year" is now proven a moron.

For Fil-Am marriages in the US, and anticipated travel back to the Philippines, it should be reported to the nearest Filipino Consulate. There you can have the passport amended, renewed, or obtain an official document called, "One and the Same Person." It's a pain in the butt, but much better than trying to clear Filipino Customs and board without having it done. As far as travel in other countries, you would think they would have figured out that people change their names when they get married, and it should not be that unusual of a situation.

[chipsahoy 3]

I have a few questions also regarding travelling with conditional greencard expiring.

My 2yrs GC will expire on July 23rd 2010. I am planning to visit Canada for few days days after that date. My ROC (divorce waived) is pending but I have received the extension letter already. On my 2yrs GC, I have my marriage name on it. But on the letter, it has my maiden name (that's what I used for ROC application). With all given situation, is it safe to travel outside the USA? What will I show the custom people?

[sasaqlain 24]

Thank you for the detailed description!

It's the first time I travel with my conditional green card. I have couple more questions..

-Got my green card through marriage, do I need to bring with me our marriage certificate (original or a photocopy)?

-I also just got a new passport (old passport expired), do I need to carry my old passport to show previous entries?

You case is similar to mine. I left the US for my home-country right after my GC to take care of pending affairs. I came back after 4 months just recently. All I had on my was my valid Passport(No previous PP's necessary) and my Conditional GC. No need to carry marriage certificates and stuff. Best you have some sort of proof for your reason for being away from the US for this long. They might ask you that when you come back at the port of entry. I was simply asked this one question. Although I had proof to back my statement, the Officer was satisfied with my answer and said, "Welcome Back"

Thank you for the detailed description!

It's the first time I travel with my conditional green card. I have couple more questions..

-Got my green card through marriage, do I need to bring with me our marriage certificate (original or a photocopy)?

-I also just got a new passport (old passport expired), do I need to carry my old passport to show previous entries?

You case is similar to mine. I left the US for my home-country right after my GC to take care of pending affairs. I came back after 4 months just recently. All I had on my was my valid Passport(No previous PP's necessary) and my Conditional GC. No need to carry marriage certificates and stuff. Best you have some sort of proof for your reason for being away from the US for this long. They might ask you that when you come back at the port of entry. I was simply asked this one question. Although I had proof to back my statement, the Officer was satisfied with my answer and said, "Welcome Back"