GC Holder: Expring passport before Filing I-751 LOC

[tlnt 1]

Hi.

Wife is GC Holder (expires end of 2011), however her foreign passport is set to expire in about month and a half and needs to be renewed (it is from Taiwan)

Her GC is issued under her married name but her passport is issued under her Maiden Name. Reading some threads about some potential issues with traveling (esp when airline tickets don't match passport name ie using the married last name like on the GC).

So are there any issues:

a) renewing foreign passports in general? Besides travel to foreign country, will it be used much for other purposes like identity before citizenship (US passport)?

b) will they take your passport from you and return it?

c) worth trying to change name on renewed passport to match GC (Married last name) or not worth it?

Thanks

Have a great day

tlnt

[AgentDS 0]

Hi Tint!

Since the name on your wife's GC doesn't match her passport, I'd suggest that you (1) register you marriage in Taiwan and (2) go to your nearest consulate or the embassy in DC and get a new passport w/ your wife's married name on it. That's what I did.

I opted to change my name on my foreign passport out of an abundance of caution, but if your wife is not able to renew her passport w/ her married name, I'd suggest traveling with an official copy of your marriage certificate, along w/ a certified translation if you did not get married in the US. I hope that helps!

Edited April 10, 2011 by AgentDS

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi.

Wife is GC Holder (expires end of 2011), however her foreign passport is set to expire in about month and a half and needs to be renewed (it is from Taiwan)

Her GC is issued under her married name but her passport is issued under her Maiden Name. Reading some threads about some potential issues with traveling (esp when airline tickets don't match passport name ie using the married last name like on the GC).

So are there any issues:

a) renewing foreign passports in general? Besides travel to foreign country, will it be used much for other purposes like identity before citizenship (US passport)?

b) will they take your passport from you and return it?

c) worth trying to change name on renewed passport to match GC (Married last name) or not worth it?

Thanks

Have a great day

tlnt

Many people travel with different names on these docuemtns and just carry proof of name change...such as a copy of your marriage license. I have not heard of it being a problem. If changing the name is a hassle I wouldn't bother.

She may be able to renew her passport at a Taiwan consulate in the USA. Check with them.

[tlnt 1]

sorry to ask the obvious but:

Will see what it takes to change name on TW passport, but most likely it's "easier" to keep her maiden name (we would bring along certified copies of our marriage cert).

When we get the passport renewed, wife can travel using this new TW passport leaving US and entering foreign country. Upon entry into the US, US customs would ask to see her TW passport and also her GC (which provides her proof of being legal to be in US)?

When you file the I751 before the 90 day expiration of original GC, when that original GC date expires, is your legal status pending outcome of I751? IE. You're here legally pending the outcome of the lifting of conditions (waiting for new GC)? Should avoid traveling here again (unless emergency)?

Thanks!

TLNT