When and where to change name on passport?

[DrewG84 0]

1) After marriage on a K1 Visa, should my wife change her name on her passport from here in the US at the Brazilian Consulate, or is it better to travel on Advance Parole to Brazil and do it there?

2) My wife and I WILL be traveling to Brazil, she'll be using her AP. When we return, should I go with her in the Foreigners immigration line? Should she come with me in the US Citizen line?

Thanks!

Drew

[menina 50]

1) After marriage on a K1 Visa, should my wife change her name on her passport from here in the US at the Brazilian Consulate, or is it better to travel on Advance Parole to Brazil and do it there?

2) My wife and I WILL be traveling to Brazil, she'll be using her AP. When we return, should I go with her in the Foreigners immigration line? Should she come with me in the US Citizen line?

Thanks!

Drew

You can change her passport through the nearest Brasilian consulate here in the US. Not sure about whether to change it after you travel or before. It can take awhile to get the new passport, so you may want to wait until after your trip. Also, if she plans to change her name, it would have been easier to fill out your paperwork in her married name because in order to change the name on her green card, you will have to pay another fee. Am I understanding right that the AP has her maiden name? If it were me, I would want the AP to match the name in my passport (thus using the original and not changing the name yet). As far as which line to go in, I was confused by that as well. My husband had his green card by then, and we asked an immigration officer what to do. He sent us together to the US citizens line and said because we are husband and wife we had to go together. That day was really crowded in Atlanta airport immigration, so maybe they did for convenience, not sure. Just ask at the time they are assigning you to a line, but I believe family members traveling together are supposed to go through the line together and present only one set of customs forms, etc. At the time you show your US passport, she will show her AP. Once again, I am not sure if the process is different if you only have AP and not a green card. Someone with more experience will hopefully chime in here.

[bestofboston 36]

Good question! I would assume that each go to their respective lines but I too am anxious to know if both can go through the same line together.

[Corinthians 7]

You might want to research what you need to register your marriage in Brasil too since you'll be there...

[menina 50]

You might want to research what you need to register your marriage in Brasil too since you'll be there...

If you want to do that, you must first go through your local consulate here in the US. They will mail you a document which you will then take to Brasil to register your marriage at the cartorio.