My wife hasn't changed her last name yet

[wildestkabs 0]

This is through the US Embassy in New Delhi, India. We are 4 months into the I-130 process and are getting ready for the NVC.

Our situation is this: My wife wants to take my last name though we have agreed that we could do it after she naturalizes (right now, she lives in India). My question is - is it mandatory for the wife to get the name changed on her passport in order to get the CR-1 visa? Can we face issues because of this, either with the Embassy, or for getting police/passport clearances? Our marriage certificate is in her maiden name still.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Inky 1,110]

The name on the passport will be the name on the visa and on the green card.

If you want the name to be in the married name then the passport will have to be in the married name to get the visa and green card in the married name.

This is NOT a requirement what so ever. Changing a name is a choice. If you/she does not wish to have the married name at this time that is your choice and you do not and are not required to change it.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

The name on the passport will be the name on the visa and on the green card.

If you want the name to be in the married name then the passport will have to be in the married name to get the visa and green card in the married name.

This is NOT a requirement what so ever. Changing a name is a choice. If you/she does not wish to have the married name at this time that is your choice and you do not and are not required to change it.

Yes it isn't a requirement BUT NVC requires a passport clearance certificate. Some Regional Passport Offices require you to change your name to reflect the marriage (after marriage name) in order to issue a passport clearance certificate.

So you need to find out if your RPO office allows your to retain your name before marriage on your passport to issue a Passport Clearance Certificate.

[wildestkabs 0]

Thanks Inky and D&K.

D&K, a quick question for you. How will this play out when it comes to the interview? Obviously, I am going to have to ask my wife to do a new DS-230 with the new name, even though the I-130 was filed with the maiden name. I am assuming this wouldn't be a problem?

Also, what about the marriage certificate? Both would be in different names. Can that be an issue?

This of course, if the wife's regional RPO requires a name change. I am going to ask her to get this information asap.

Yes it isn't a requirement BUT NVC requires a passport clearance certificate. Some Regional Passport Offices require you to change your name to reflect the marriage (after marriage name) in order to issue a passport clearance certificate.

So you need to find out if your RPO office allows your to retain your name before marriage on your passport to issue a Passport Clearance Certificate.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

This is through the US Embassy in New Delhi, India. We are 4 months into the I-130 process and are getting ready for the NVC.

Our situation is this: My wife wants to take my last name though we have agreed that we could do it after she naturalizes (right now, she lives in India). My question is - is it mandatory for the wife to get the name changed on her passport in order to get the CR-1 visa? Can we face issues because of this, either with the Embassy, or for getting police/passport clearances? Our marriage certificate is in her maiden name still.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Name change is not required. My wife has not changed her name and we have never had a problem. We just submitted her N-400 and now she is requesting a name change. Do as you wish.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Thanks Inky and D&K.

D&K, a quick question for you. How will this play out when it comes to the interview? Obviously, I am going to have to ask my wife to do a new DS-230 with the new name, even though the I-130 was filed with the maiden name. I am assuming this wouldn't be a problem?

Also, what about the marriage certificate? Both would be in different names. Can that be an issue?

This of course, if the wife's regional RPO requires a name change. I am going to ask her to get this information asap.

I don't think it will be a problem. If it were me, I would take an updated I-130 at the time of the interview to reflect the name change just in case they give you flak for it.

My wife's marriage certificate does not state her name after marriage. It assumed by local custom that your wife will take your first name as her middle name and your last name as her last name if she does not have the same last name as you.

Find out what the RPO office says...your plan of action depends on what they say to do and what they will accept.

Name change is not required. My wife has not changed her name and we have never had a problem. We just submitted her N-400 and now she is requesting a name change. Do as you wish.

Yes and no. For India it depends on the Regional Passport Office that we have to obtain the Passport Clearance Certificate. Some offices forces you to change your name on the passport to reflect the marriage certificate. If you do not do this they will not issue a Passport Clearance Certificate.

For other countries it might be the case that you are not forced to change your name but for India, it depends on the RPO office.

Edited November 14, 2011 by Dave and Kinnari

[wildestkabs 0]

Thank you.