What name to use for I-130 package??

[Calli 2]

I just want to get some feedback on if I am filling all of this paperwork out correctly. I would be devastated if I got an RFE for something so silly so better to ask and look stupid that not ask at all.

My Fiancé and I are getting married on April 6th,2011. We are sending in our paperwork as soon as we get our certified copies of the marriage certificate. I am changing my last name to his after the wedding but nothing that I have as far as ID, passport etc. will have that name yet since we will have just been married. I am planning on changing my Driver's License and Passport as soon as I return to Canada but the photocopies of my documents will still have my maiden name.

So am I correct that I should be filling out all of my I-130 paperwork with my new married name?

Thanks!

[Inky 1,110]

The Visa is issued in the passport name. If you want it issued in your married name you will need to get a new passport before the interview.

You could always wait a little bit before sending out the packet and take the marriage cert, get your IDs changed and then get your new passport, pay for expedite service to get it faster then file.

[Calli 2]

The Visa is issued in the passport name. If you want it issued in your married name you will need to get a new passport before the interview.

You could always wait a little bit before sending out the packet and take the marriage cert, get your IDs changed and then get your new passport, pay for expedite service to get it faster then file.

I will have a new passport within 2 months of us being married. We just don't want to wait to file. But as long as my passport says my new last name before NVC stage, we should be good right?

[Inky 1,110]

I will have a new passport within 2 months of us being married. We just don't want to wait to file. But as long as my passport says my new last name before NVC stage, we should be good right?

Should be, when you send the papers to NVC include a new bio page colour photocopy to show your new passport with the updates.

[LiveLaughLove 2]

I just want to get some feedback on if I am filling all of this paperwork out correctly. I would be devastated if I got an RFE for something so silly so better to ask and look stupid that not ask at all.

My Fiancé and I are getting married on April 6th,2011. We are sending in our paperwork as soon as we get our certified copies of the marriage certificate. I am changing my last name to his after the wedding but nothing that I have as far as ID, passport etc. will have that name yet since we will have just been married. I am planning on changing my Driver's License and Passport as soon as I return to Canada but the photocopies of my documents will still have my maiden name.

So am I correct that I should be filling out all of my I-130 paperwork with my new married name?

Thanks!

In my case, I'm the petitioner, immediately changed my last name to that of my husband when I came back to the USA. When I filled out I-130 petition, I used my new married last name and provided copies of my social security card (after name chg), driver's license (after name chg) and passport (prior to mailing it out for name change). I also included retirement plan documents showing my husband as beneficiary.

Hope this helps

Edited March 17, 2011 by sweetheart428

[Moosker 7]

I had the same situation, most of my ID was in my maiden name, but we applied in my married name. When we got the NVC process I had changed my passport to my married name and most other documentation.

Hope that helps!

[Shawna and James 4]

Hey there, thought I would add my two cents. If I recall correctly, for the I-130 package, other than your bio page and the passport style photos, you do not need to include any ID copies as the beneficiary. I also had the same issue when we filed for our I-130, and although none of my ID was in my husband's last name, I still took his name on the petition as well as the biographic page. I have since changed all of my ID over, so for the IV package to the NVC my passport scan will show my new married name. Since it will take a few months for your petition to be forwarded to the NVC you will have lots of time to switch all your ID over before it is needed for paperwork

[Calli 2]

Thanks everyone!

[OBX 51]

Same experience here.

We submitted the I-130 in my married name and then I proceeded to change my driver's licence, heath card, SIN and then passport. You will need ID in your married name for a new passport (at my local office they weren't even interested in seeing the marriage certificate) so it is a good idea to change over your other ID first. You will have plenty of time to do all of this will waiting for your I30 to be approved. Once I changed my other ID it only took a week for my new passport to be processed.

Good luck on your journey!

Edited March 18, 2011 by OBX

[Amy and Nick 37]

In England, you can change the name in your passport up to three months before the actualy ceremony. May be something similar in Canada?!

[pushbrk 12,897]

I will have a new passport within 2 months of us being married. We just don't want to wait to file. But as long as my passport says my new last name before NVC stage, we should be good right?

No need to wait to file. You'll have plenty of time to change your passport and other ID before the interview.

[S and R 8]

Just curious: Is this a must in the USA? - i. e. changing last names to husbands'. Will keeping one's maiden name after marraige jeopardise the visa/ GC process in any way??

[pushbrk 12,897]

Just curious: Is this a must in the USA? - i. e. changing last names to husbands'. Will keeping one's maiden name after marraige jeopardise the visa/ GC process in any way??

Changing names at marriage is purely optional. No impact on the visa process unless you're coming from a culture where not doing so would be unacceptable.