Marriage, Divorce Records and Name Change

[Lena and Igor 5]

I've read and re-read the list of documents required at the Embassy K-1 Interview. Could you verify that both, divorce and marriage (original) records must be presented? It is my understanding that name changes must be proven as well? It would be great to hear input and advice from couples who have been approved at the embassy interview stage. Thanks.

[YuAndDan 153]

There is no interaction with NVC for K-1 visas, moving this from NVC forum, to Embassy/Consulate forum...

[Inky 1,111]

At my interview in Canada for my K-1 I was asked for my husbands divorce and marriage cert the "originals" with stamp seal and signatures as well as the copys I made of them, They gave me back the originals after the interview and they kept the copys I made. They needed to see the originals to make sure the stamp seal and signatures etc were correct and real.

I would guess they need proof of name changes from marriages if you divorced and had a court action to change your name but I did not have to do anything for that because my husband didn't change his name and I have not been married before.

[ksmiler1 0]

I have also been reviewing the list for required documents for the interview. We are applying for a K1 visa so why would we have a marriage certificate needed at the interview? Do you mean if you are divorced we need our first marriage certificate? I know we need the divorce decree original and copy, but correct me if I"m wrong. I assumed the marriage certificate applied to spousal visa applicants.

[Lena and Igor 5]

My thoughts as well. As the petitioner, I will order my previous marriage (official with stamp) records if required. We have time since we are December filers. My fiance had also been married before. Would this apply to her as well? Will she need to obtain her previous marriage records as well? Just want to get things right. Thanks experienced K-1ers.

[ksmiler1 0]

My thoughts as well. As the petitioner, I will order my previous marriage (official with stamp) records if required. We have time since we are December filers. My fiance had also been married before. Would this apply to her as well? Will she need to obtain her previous marriage records as well? Just want to get things right. Thanks experienced K-1ers.

Well I am the petitioner and I am divorced. My divorce decree would be enough I assume since it has the date of the first marriage on it and when it was terminated. My fiance is UK citizen and never been married so it doesn't apply to him. I was just confused when I read your post about needing a marriage certificate for the K1 interview??? This is all so confusing!

[Lena and Igor 5]

I too am a bit confused, well maybe frustrated is a better way of putting it. I found the divorce record mandate on the following link:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/164171/pdf/k-instructions.pdf

[Inky 1,111]

My husbands FIRST marriage certificate was required to prove that he was married and prove the divorce was real etc with the correct names and such. I was never married before We filed a K-1 my husband was previously married.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Marriage certificates are requested to create a "name trail". It's especially useful to the Consulates with female applicants, who are more likely to have a surname change than a male applicant.

Marriage certificates list the current surname of the parties. Likewise divorce decrees. Consulates use these documents to "match up" the names reported to them on the G325a. Helpful for figuring out several things, such as the requirement that the parties be "free to marry".

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Some of the instructrions are generic. IF the person applying for the visa has a name different than the birth certificate, then you must show the legal "lineage" of that name. Ie. Woman born Mary Smith, married John Doe, changed her name to "Doe", got divorced and married Jim Brown and now changed her name to "Brown" If the name was never changed, no other names were ever used and the person applying for the visa has the same name as the person on the birth certificate (as was the case for Alla) there is no issue to be determined by documents.

Ukrainian marriage and divorce certificates note which name the person chooses after marriage or divorce. So these documents show name changes. They are also required for the I-129f to prove name changes and that each person is "free to marry" Ukrainian law requires that marriage certificates be surrendered upon a divorce and be replaced with a "name change" certificate. In practice this is rarely done.

American marriage and divorce certificates are public record and it is very easy to get "originals" for a small fee. Ukrainian ones can usually be obtained for a small bribe. Your fiancee may find the lawyer that handled a divorce has her originals.

In my experience in Kiev...

I had marriage and divorce certificates for BOTH of us. I had submitted copies of the marriage and divorce certificates for BOTH of us with the I-129f petition. Everything you send in the I-129f goes to Kiev for the interview. In Kiev, we were not asked for them. This may be bacuase they already had them or it may be because Alla never changed her name and no "other names used" were listed in any of the applications or data forms.

I do not suggest you or your fiancee go to the interview without them. Translations are no longer required in Kiev IF the document is in Russian, Ukrainian or English.

Bring the original, and a copy.

[Lena and Igor 5]

Some of the instructrions are generic. IF the person applying for the visa has a name different than the birth certificate, then you must show the legal "lineage" of that name. Ie. Woman born Mary Smith, married John Doe, changed her name to "Doe", got divorced and married Jim Brown and now changed her name to "Brown" If the name was never changed, no other names were ever used and the person applying for the visa has the same name as the person on the birth certificate (as was the case for Alla) there is no issue to be determined by documents.

Ukrainian marriage and divorce certificates note which name the person chooses after marriage or divorce. So these documents show name changes. They are also required for the I-129f to prove name changes and that each person is "free to marry" Ukrainian law requires that marriage certificates be surrendered upon a divorce and be replaced with a "name change" certificate. In practice this is rarely done.

American marriage and divorce certificates are public record and it is very easy to get "originals" for a small fee. Ukrainian ones can usually be obtained for a small bribe. Your fiancee may find the lawyer that handled a divorce has her originals.

In my experience in Kiev...

I had marriage and divorce certificates for BOTH of us. I had submitted copies of the marriage and divorce certificates for BOTH of us with the I-129f petition. Everything you send in the I-129f goes to Kiev for the interview. In Kiev, we were not asked for them. This may be bacuase they already had them or it may be because Alla never changed her name and no "other names used" were listed in any of the applications or data forms.

I do not suggest you or your fiancee go to the interview without them. Translations are no longer required in Kiev IF the document is in Russian, Ukrainian or English.

Bring the original, and a copy.

Thanks Gary and Alla and everyone else who chimed-in. Your help and experience is invaluable!