Misspelled USC name in 129F, possibly passport

[pocheros 101]

Hi everyone. I'm a K1er and I was just putting together some paperwork for my upcoming interview in Montreal. I have a bit of a unique situation...

My fiance's (the American) middle name is Mathew, with ONE T. This is his name listed on his birth certificate. His mom is dyslexic so she gave him a unique name.

Now, my fiance never liked that his middle name wasn't MaTThew. On his driver's license it's listed as MaTThew. On his passport, I'm not sure- he has to check for me, but it's possible it's also listed as MaTThew, but it might also be MaThew. I've always kinda given him ####### for not spelling it with one T, the way it is legally.

Why is this a problem? Well, I was just going through our copy of the forms for the 129F and throughout the document his middle name is spelled MaTThew. But, on my Packet 3 documents (which I also kept a copy of and filled out myself), his name is spelled MaThew. Now I'm a little concerned.

1. At the embassy will they have a copy of the 129F? Is that where it eventually ends up, and they use this to cross check information with Packet 3 and your answers at the interview?

2. Will this cause problems? As I said, I don't yet know if it's spelled Matthew or Mathew on his passport, but I know it's definitely spelled Mathew on his birth certificate. I also have to double check this but I think he submitted a copy of his passport (not his birth certificate) for the 129F.

Am I freaking out over nothing? I can't lie at the interview if they ask me if it's just a typo, because LEGALLY he is XXXX Mathew XXXX, what if XXXX Matthew XXXX is a convicted criminal or something?

I am going to keep calling him until he answers and tell him to send me his birth certificate if his passport lists the incorrectly spelled name. Is there anything else I should do?

My fiance has been so uncooperative throughout this whole process. He doesn't realize that people are ####### about this stuff and when I give him grief for it he tells me I'm overreacting. -____-;;;

Edited July 18, 2011 by pocheros

[pocheros 101]

My fiance isn't answering his phone but I just looked at the correspondence he had with NVC and it definitely lists his name as Matthew.

What should I do?

[Operator 1,927]

IMO this shouldn't be a problem. Common spelling mistakes occur. Background checks are based on more than just the individuals name (SSN, DOB, state of residence, etc)

Unless it's an intentional attempt to hide his identity, which would take more than one T, I wouldn't worry about it.

[pocheros 101]

Okay that is very reassuring. Thank you I don't know why I didn't think of the SSN bit, that makes more sense obviously. This whole process has made me VERY strung out and paranoid.

[la2011 5]

hey, I'm sorry you're feeling strung out. Don't be, it will be fine. We're lucky we're Canadians and I feel like we get an easier treatment than other countries, so we have to count our blessings

My husband didnt understand the process much, either, and wasn't too worried about it. I got fed up and told him he better get himself a warm winter coat bc we're moving to Canada. Strangely, he came around and is fully involved in the process now lol Thank God for that. His support has made it much easier for me.

You're not the only one with a spouse who's lackadaisical about the process, if that makes you feel better It's not that he's not interested in you being there, it's more than they dont realize the ramifications. I, for one, am guilty of the same. When I lived in Canada, in MY country, where I was a natural born citizen (well, still am lol) I had no interest in understanding the immigration process for my foreign student friends. I just assumed it was all easy and were gonna be handed out a Canadian permanent resident card simply on the basis of wanting one, easy peasy

[pocheros 101]

hey, I'm sorry you're feeling strung out. Don't be, it will be fine. We're lucky we're Canadians and I feel like we get an easier treatment than other countries, so we have to count our blessings

My husband didnt understand the process much, either, and wasn't too worried about it. I got fed up and told him he better get himself a warm winter coat bc we're moving to Canada. Strangely, he came around and is fully involved in the process now lol Thank God for that. His support has made it much easier for me.

You're not the only one with a spouse who's lackadaisical about the process, if that makes you feel better It's not that he's not interested in you being there, it's more than they dont realize the ramifications. I, for one, am guilty of the same. When I lived in Canada, in MY country, where I was a natural born citizen (well, still am lol) I had no interest in understanding the immigration process for my foreign student friends. I just assumed it was all easy and were gonna be handed out a Canadian permanent resident card simply on the basis of wanting one, easy peasy

Hi Thanks for the reassurance and sharing your experience with me. I feel a lot better knowing I'm not alone!

My fiance definitely cares and wants to be with me more than anything else, but hates work with a passion! I've been bugging him to get me the affidavit of support since May, and he only started putting it together a few days ago. Lo and behold, I just found out he "forgot" to files his taxes for 2010 (how do you forget to file your taxes???) and my interview is only 3 weeks away! He filed them today, thankfully, but he has to wait 7-10 business days for his transcripts I'll have it in time but it's still cutting it too close for my comfort. I hope the IRS is fast- I suspect it is because they actually like it when people give them paperwork, i.e. file their taxes. If it was any other gov't agency I'd be really worried about them taking their sweet time...

I try to get him involved in the process but he still hasn't come around. He still puts off everything until the last minute, and when I ask him why he says it doesn't make a difference as long as it's done on time, right? I guess not, but that's assuming we catch any snares as soon as they come up, instead of months down the road when we get an RFE or something.

He's truly oblivious, because when I said I still want about 3-4 weeks to wrap up my business after the interview (assuming I get my visa within that time frame), he thought I was nuts, saying why would I possibly wait that long? When I still have to wrap up my employment (I'm not quitting until my visa's been approved), pack up my stuff, donate my furniture, say goodbye to friends, figure out what to do with my Canadian money (open a US bank account?), and a bunch of other things I can't remember at the moment. I don't even own a car or have a driver's license, so getting rid of the stuff I don't need is a pain in the ####, because it's not like I can just throw my furniture in a van and drive to Goodwill. Among that I work full time with a crappy commute, so my energy is wearing thin.

*sigh* Okay that was an awful lot of whining. I know my situation isn't unique or even that bad- believe me, I'm grateful that it's so easy for a Canadian to immigrate to the states to marry an American. Moreover, I'm blessed to have met and fell in love with my fiance in the first place, even if he is frustrating at times But the last few days have been very trying for me.

Anyways, thanks again for sharing your story And thanks to all of VJ for providing me with some sanity in the midst of this process...

Edited July 19, 2011 by pocheros

[pocheros 101]

Oh and I found out that his name is in fact spelled correctly on his passport. It's just misspelled in the actual forms for the 129F, which is hardly a big deal, I imagine. What a relief!

I am going to have myself a good drink once this whole thing is over. In a way, going through all the difficulties of a long distance relationship has prepared me and my fiance for marriage, I think. If we can make it through this we can make it through anything.

Edited July 19, 2011 by pocheros

[la2011 5]

I totally understand your rant! I think my husband got more serious about getting involved in the AOS process and getting stuff done in a timely manner when he realized Texas College football isn't shown on tv in Canada....which would be a HUGE problem for him...lol

[la2011 5]

And I totally understand the part "about a crappy commute" and how it wears you out. I lived in Toronto for 6 months and got the heck out of there first chance I got lol I liked it ok as a city, but the price of rent, and the crazy commute, good Lord, that was killing me and my joy for life

You're gonna have to do like me and learn how to drive when you get down to the US . Are you nervous about that? I was but then I took the classes and I now LOVE to drive. Your life will change in so many ways when you leave the GTA. For the better, I think ...lol I felt like you had to be really rich to have a decent life in Toronto. It was, like, unrealistic to be able to live in Toronto , not some far awar suburbs, and have your own place, which I think I deserved about graduating from university...

And may I mention: Buh-bye winter!

Sorry I hickjacked your thread with my own Toronto rant haha

[Krikit 1,164]

I see you've come to the conclusion that it's not a big deal so I'll just say...... have fun in Montreal!

[pocheros 101]

And I totally understand the part "about a crappy commute" and how it wears you out. I lived in Toronto for 6 months and got the heck out of there first chance I got lol I liked it ok as a city, but the price of rent, and the crazy commute, good Lord, that was killing me and my joy for life

You're gonna have to do like me and learn how to drive when you get down to the US . Are you nervous about that? I was but then I took the classes and I now LOVE to drive. Your life will change in so many ways when you leave the GTA. For the better, I think ...lol I felt like you had to be really rich to have a decent life in Toronto. It was, like, unrealistic to be able to live in Toronto , not some far awar suburbs, and have your own place, which I think I deserved about graduating from university...

And may I mention: Buh-bye winter!

I totally feel ya! I love Toronto as an interesting, multicultural place, but it's so freakin' expensive, and if you're unfortunate enough to have to commute there every day, well, good luck I live in Brampton, actually, so not really "in" Toronto but Brampton has its own problems. Rent seems like its out of control everywhere, from Toronto to Brampton to Newmarket to Barrie (the various places I've lived). I wonder if its cheap anywhere in Ontario.

I actually am kind of nervous about driving. I put off getting my license since I can't afford a car anyways, but my fiance wants to give me his current car and then buy a new one pretty soon after I move over there. Maybe I will take some classes like you did and that'll help. I love the concept of driving, i.e. not having to carry 50lbs of groceries home in a backpack, but I'm still a little nervous about it because suddenly making a mistake might mean causing an accident and potentially hurting someone. But that's a silly fear that will go away with practice.

And, good lord no more snow!!! I'm moving to Las Vegas I'll take extreme heat over cold weather any day! Not to mention everything is cheaper there (as long as you avoid The Strip) and their sales tax is lower (not sure what it is exactly, but lower than the 13% HST in Ontario). I'm always amazed at the apartments you can get for $1,000 a month over there, gorgeous 3 level lofts, whereas they charge $1,400 a month here for a dump.

So, in addition to meeting my wonderful fiance I'm also fortunate enough to be moving to what is, IMO, one of the nicer parts of the States. I'm just going to keep counting my blessings

Sorry I hickjacked your thread with my own Toronto rant haha

Not at all! It was very nice reading about your experience VJ is such a great website because everyone can relate to the somewhat uncommon experience of immigration.

I see you've come to the conclusion that it's not a big deal so I'll just say...... have fun in Montreal!

Thank you!!!

Edited July 19, 2011 by pocheros

[la2011 5]

You'll love Las Vegas...

Driving is a cinch! Dont worry about it. I was in the exact same position as you 3 years ago and now I'm so comfortable with driving, I think nothing of driving 7 hours over to LA to see my husband's family. You'll see: a few classes, a lot of practice with your fiancee, and next thing you know, you'll fee like you've driven your whole life.

And hmmm yeah, I never had a car in Toronto, either, at my age at the time (early 20's, fresh out of university), who could afford it?! It's kind of why I left Toronto...Entry level salaries were so low, income taxes incredibly high and rent? Forget it! I just didnt see how I could ever feel financially comfy in that city... It's like the NYC of Canada. When I was offered a transfer to the US and a big raise, let's just say, they didnt have to ask me twice

Edited July 19, 2011 by la2011