LAND DOWNUNDER

[vylex 0]

Thanks for the info Rings.

However, I need to have the wifey do this in Australia. When interview time comes, the Visa applications will have her first, middle, and last name on it. However, her Australian Driver's License and Australian Passport will only have her first and last name. If she can just opt to have the Consulate list her first and last name on the visa then we are fine and she won't have to do anything. I just want to know if I need to do anything else in preparation. In Elle's case there is a holdup because of the name. I think my wife will potentially be in the same situation. I just want to verify the options. Thanks for the US info though.

[Rings 10]

Sorry I couldn't be more help. I think that the more information that she carries with her identity wise the better off she will be, but yeah nipping this stuff in the bud before hand is deffinately the best thing to do. I know that I want to avoid as many potential problems as I can before hand too.

I wish I was more help to you blasted American

[Kath 0]

hi ya vylex

from what i remember your wife is in NSW yes? start off with her drivers licence cos thats a photo id and a main id ...take her marriage certficate in with her birth certificate and anything else that might have her middle name on it..and get her name changed there...passport would be the next big thing to do bank accounts...medicare...below are a few links that i found for you to look at

RTA N.S.W.

CHANGE OF NAME FOR AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT

hope this was a help....

kath

[Kath 0]

bugga couldnt edit ....found this one that might help too vles

more info ..name change-aussie passport

the more you search a site the more ya find lol

kath

[vylex 0]

Hehe thanks Kath. I was already looking into the driver's license first and then move along from there. Assuming she never really used her middle (mother's maiden) name then could the Consulate just disregard the middle name and issue it in her first and last name only? Just thinking of plan B. The only place I think she has the middle name listed is our US Marriage Certificate.

Thanks for the links! Yes she is in NSW.

[Kath 0]

hi vylex

you could email the consulate enquiring about it...no one uses there middle name (i dont have one) but on offical things your middle name is always used i thought that was the rule of thumb lol what do i know i dont have one hehehe

at least with emailing the consulate you can be sure what to do ahead of time huh ...not long before you there either ya lucky duck...by april it will be cooling down for you..my daughter is in nsw and she reckon they have been having heaps of storms there at the mo...

kath

[vylex 0]

hi vylex

you could email the consulate enquiring about it...no one uses there middle name (i dont have one) but on offical things your middle name is always used i thought that was the rule of thumb lol what do i know i dont have one hehehe

at least with emailing the consulate you can be sure what to do ahead of time huh ...not long before you there either ya lucky duck...by april it will be cooling down for you..my daughter is in nsw and she reckon they have been having heaps of storms there at the mo...

kath

Thanks Kath! I am looking forward to going back. I love visiting Sydney (and it's surrounding areas). It's so relaxing for me. Yes, I will mail the Sydney Consulate and ask about my options. I thought it was required as well to stick in a middle name. What a pain. She's going to change it again anyway to our married name when she get here LOL!

[vutapson 0]

Hi everyone, Mark and Anna here. I've pretty much decided to go ahead and file the I-130 here in the States, then go visit her in Sydney for the next 4-5 months and continue the IR-1/CR-1 process by mail from there. Does anyone foresee a problem with me handling everything long distance that way? Any reason why I might have to be physically present in the States during any of that process? If the DCF comes back soon, we'll cancel and re-file that way in Sydney, if we can (I just e-mailed the Sydney consulate to see if they can give me a hint on any DCF news, and I'll let you know what they say). Thanks for your thoughts, and I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere - I try to read as many threads on here as I can. Best wishes to everyone else in their process. . . Mark

[vylex 0]

Hi everyone, Mark and Anna here. I've pretty much decided to go ahead and file the I-130 here in the States, then go visit her in Sydney for the next 4-5 months and continue the IR-1/CR-1 process by mail from there. Does anyone foresee a problem with me handling everything long distance that way? Any reason why I might have to be physically present in the States during any of that process? If the DCF comes back soon, we'll cancel and re-file that way in Sydney, if we can (I just e-mailed the Sydney consulate to see if they can give me a hint on any DCF news, and I'll let you know what they say). Thanks for your thoughts, and I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere - I try to read as many threads on here as I can. Best wishes to everyone else in their process. . . Mark

Hi Mark,

I don't see a problem. Just have someone forward you any mail right away as it may have some time frame. As a matter of fact once you reach the NVC portion of the process, your wife can choose to be the agent (the one receiving the rest of the paperwork). Since you will be there with her, you can do most of the process from Sydney. I wish I could hang out in Sydney until we get her Visa. I would have no problem staying abroad in Australia for an extended period.

I also plan on doing the same. Should DCF come back (and allow USC not living abroad to file the I-130), I will do the same. Good luck!

[Emerald 0]

Hi all

Just a question. I emailed the Consulate in Sydney about the visa issues etc since they cancelled accepting the I-130 abroad. and they sent this reply

Thank you for your inquiry.

If you have been out of the US less than 6 months of continuous residence abroad and have a US address, you must file with a USCIS domestic service center in the United States.

If this doesn’t apply to you, more information will be posted soon on the USCIS website for petitioners resident abroad about where to file.

Please refer to their website on www.uscis.gov.

The final interview will be held in Sydney

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

American Consulate General, Sydney

So i went to this link

FILING ABROAD

Do i have to file with the Bankok office in Thailand? as my husband has been living in Aussie for 6yrs (in May). I thought we would be filing in Texas as thats where his US address falls under. But from what i am reading we can file outside the US but at a USCIS international office that covers our area.

As we are in OZ, i think we fall under the Bankok USCIS.

Now i'm totally confused.

Anyone else in my shoes? Most of what i'm reading on here it's people that havn't been married for as long as us. It's more those coming out to marry their loved ones.

I'd love to hear from anyone whos US spouse has been here for sometime.

Thanks

Edited March 6, 2007 by Emerald

[vutapson 0]

Hi everyone, Mark and Anna here. I've pretty much decided to go ahead and file the I-130 here in the States, then go visit her in Sydney for the next 4-5 months and continue the IR-1/CR-1 process by mail from there. Does anyone foresee a problem with me handling everything long distance that way? Any reason why I might have to be physically present in the States during any of that process? If the DCF comes back soon, we'll cancel and re-file that way in Sydney, if we can (I just e-mailed the Sydney consulate to see if they can give me a hint on any DCF news, and I'll let you know what they say). Thanks for your thoughts, and I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere - I try to read as many threads on here as I can. Best wishes to everyone else in their process. . . Mark

Hi Mark,

I don't see a problem. Just have someone forward you any mail right away as it may have some time frame. As a matter of fact once you reach the NVC portion of the process, your wife can choose to be the agent (the one receiving the rest of the paperwork). Since you will be there with her, you can do most of the process from Sydney. I wish I could hang out in Sydney until we get her Visa. I would have no problem staying abroad in Australia for an extended period.

I also plan on doing the same. Should DCF come back (and allow USC not living abroad to file the I-130), I will do the same. Good luck!

Thanks Vylex, it's encouraging to know someone else is making the same choices. Good advice too. Good luck right back at you -- Mark and Anna

[Kath 0]

hi emerald

sorry to hear your getting more and more confused in what to do...i have sent you a message of the bangkok embassey with their email addy...best bet would be to email them and air your concerns to what to do..

mark ... when i was doing my K1 i was on a visit to the states my packet 3 arrived while i was away so my son just mailed it to me to start on it...if you trust the person that would mail it to you ask them to open anything from USCIS just in case there is something over here that you need sent also for your process...i only say this because it does take up to 7 days to get things to oz from the states and if you open it in oz you might need something from the states..

hi seren did you hear anything on changing the consulate to sydney...???

hi ya rings how you doing....

kath

[vutapson 0]

mark ... when i was doing my K1 i was on a visit to the states my packet 3 arrived while i was away so my son just mailed it to me to start on it...if you trust the person that would mail it to you ask them to open anything from USCIS just in case there is something over here that you need sent also for your process...i only say this because it does take up to 7 days to get things to oz from the states and if you open it in oz you might need something from the states..

kath

Thanks Kath, I do have someone I trust, and I'll keep that extra mail transit time in mind. . .

[girlfrmoz 1]

Hiya All,

Gee the name changing stuff is really complex too.....I hope you guys work it out ok.

I had to renew my security clearance at work the other day and everyone was groaning about how hard it is...well...after the Visa process it was a breeze! They only wanted the last 5yrs of employment and residence and I am using the police certificate I did for the Visa which is quite useful.

Anyway, I just dropped in because I learnt a handy little piece of information to consider on your final flight to the USA. Apparently, if you let the airline know you are travelling on an imigration visa and your ticket is also one way some are very helpful and don't charge any fees for excess baggage. I am flying via Bangkok to JFK with Thai Airlines. The travel agent checked with them and they were great and said no cost if i wish to bring a couple of extra bags. Awesome cause being a girl i have heaps to take! Anyway, hope this helps some of you as well!

Take care

Lyndel

[Kath 0]

hi ya

can anyone help this fellow aussie about the DS230I i dont understand it but im wondering if anyone that is doing the K1 visa can help him or her im not sure lol

take a look at the post...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=57591

thanks guys and gals im sure he/she would really appreciate it ...

kath

p.s. hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii lyndal how u doing mate..ohhhh wow mate that is a great tip for everyone good on ya...talk to ya soon ...

Edited March 6, 2007 by kath&rob