New Rule on Umlauts - Switzerland

[ally26 0]

My fiance is preparing for his interview (yay!) and we came across the issue of the umlaut. He has a typically German last name spelled with a u umlaut (letter u with 2 little dots over it).

When I filed the I-129F, I wrote "ue" in place of the u with the umlaut, as letters with umlauts are typically translated into English. I did not fill in a name in the non-Roman language name field. The application was approved and the notices from USCIS spelled his name the same way I did, with "ue."

The notice I received from the NVC and the paperwork he has received from the US Embassy in Switzerland spell his name with just a "u" and no extra e. He called the embassy to find out if they can correct this, and they explained a new rule where they are not allowed to add in the e when translating umlauted letters anymore. (His passport has u umlaut only)

I wanted to share this new rule with Visa Journey in case it may effect anyone else. I hope that he can still get the extra e back in his name when he gets here and eventually files for AOS...USCIS already knows him with the "ue" - will it be an issue if his name is later spelled with "u"? We'd also prefer to keep the extra e because it is the most accurate way to spell his name without the umlaut, but are willing to part with it if that is the rule. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

This has been an ongoing problem.

For example, my brother's name is Jörg. How can you translate a name? Would it be Jorg or Joerg? Well, technically it would be Joerg, but we decided to use Jorg anyway when applying for his California Driver License, back in 1994 or so.

You will file AoS with the name you want to see on the Green Card. I would actually suggest to add a note to the AoS package, in case you have no interview. All you then can hope for is that they "get" it. If you do have an interview, I would actively bring this up when the time comes.

All that said . . . does it really matter? He will never show his Green Card unless he goes to the lions' den or travels internationally. So it's really not a big deal either way.

[TBoneTX 46,224]

Oe, broether... but good to know, for those affected.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

I was already married and using my husband's name so my greencard wasn't affected, but I just omitted to two little dots in my paperwork. Just to be complete, in the "other nanmes used", I wrote my maiden name both with the umlaut and the ue.

[Hank_ 9,174]

- just a side note, the forms specify that all entries will be in ENGLISH character only, so making reference to the umlaut is actually not acceptable.

[ally26 0]

- just a side note, the forms specify that all entries will be in ENGLISH character only, so making reference to the umlaut is actually not acceptable.

I do wish I had realized that earlier! It just seemed natural to translate the umlaut as "ue" because that's how I usually type it on my (English) keyboard. The new rule makes sense and will eliminate a lot of confusion in the future.