Name Clarification

[zooch76 9]

Hello again, wonderful VJers!

I'm almost ready to submit my AOS package (I've been saying that for weeks!) and now something else is concerning me. I'm not sure if it's a big deal or not but hopefully you guys can provide some insight....

I've always used my middle name and it's what I am known by. Everyone knows me by my middle name and when I tell them my "real" first name they are always surprised. When filling out the AOS paperwork, I've been using my real first name along with my middle name (when possible) and of course my last name. However, I just noticed that our photos all have my middle name on the back (ie Julie and Zach's wedding, Julie and Zach in Lake Tahoe, etc.). Same thing for most of my bills, etc. - they are addressed to my middle and last name, which is not the same as my first & last name used on the paperwork.

For what it's worth, all of my ID (passport, drivers license, birth certificate, etc) has my complete first, middle & last names. Most of my bills are middle & last names though. Our shared bank account is first name, middle initial, last name (I did it that way to appease the AOS Gods).

I figure I will mention this in my cover letter and hope that covers the bases with the USCIS. Does anyone think it will be a problem that my names don't always match perfectly? I know it's not common for people to go by their middle name but it's not that uncommon either.

Am I being overly paranoid?

[JeannieL 44]

Great question! I also go by my middle name but for this process I am using my first name. Any correspondence I have is also in my middle name. I have cursed my parents for doing this to me for many years. Makes it so difficult at times!

[marriedtomrg 141]

On your G-325A you are asked to write down the other names you are known by, so it shouldn't be a problem. besides it will be supported by your birth certificate, your passport and all other official documents that have your complete full name.

I use my middle name as part of my official signature. Have had no problems with it at all.

Hello again, wonderful VJers!

I'm almost ready to submit my AOS package (I've been saying that for weeks!) and now something else is concerning me. I'm not sure if it's a big deal or not but hopefully you guys can provide some insight....

I've always used my middle name and it's what I am known by. Everyone knows me by my middle name and when I tell them my "real" first name they are always surprised. When filling out the AOS paperwork, I've been using my real first name along with my middle name (when possible) and of course my last name. However, I just noticed that our photos all have my middle name on the back (ie Julie and Zach's wedding, Julie and Zach in Lake Tahoe, etc.). Same thing for most of my bills, etc. - they are addressed to my middle and last name, which is not the same as my first & last name used on the paperwork.

For what it's worth, all of my ID (passport, drivers license, birth certificate, etc) has my complete first, middle & last names. Most of my bills are middle & last names though. Our shared bank account is first name, middle initial, last name (I did it that way to appease the AOS Gods).

I figure I will mention this in my cover letter and hope that covers the bases with the USCIS. Does anyone think it will be a problem that my names don't always match perfectly? I know it's not common for people to go by their middle name but it's not that uncommon either.

Am I being overly paranoid?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I think you're being paranoid.

It's actually reasonably common for people to routinely use a name other than their given name. Besides using middle names, many people use a nickname. Most of my bills say "Jim", but that was not the name my parents gave me at birth.

Don't worry about it. I'm sure it won't be a problem.