Change of First Name

[tiffandrazz 1]

I am kind of new to this topic poll. My question is, how important is it to change your first name? When going through my wedding my name wasn't a Muslim name so the decided to change my name to a Muslim name rather than the name I was born with. Should I change my first name? Or can I keep it the same? How important is your first name, name change when it comes to paperwork?

[SmilesAbroad 27]

I am kind of new to this topic poll. My question is, how important is it to change your first name? When going through my wedding my name wasn't a Muslim name so the decided to change my name to a Muslim name rather than the name I was born with. Should I change my first name? Or can I keep it the same? How important is your first name, name change when it comes to paperwork?

If your name isn't overly Christian-sounding (like the name Christian, Christina) or it doesn't mean something haram/negative, then I wouldn't worry about officially changing your name. You can just tell your Muslim friends your Islamic name and anyone else you want to call you by that name and they will call you by that name only. There is no need to officially change it and make paperwork more complicated. Why not keep official things straightforward and simple and use your Islamic name in your personal life.

I personally made this decision and I am living in Pakistan right now. Everyone calls me by my Islamic name and many don't even know the name I have for passport and documents. It's just not a big deal. I don't have any regrets for not changing it officially, and I don't plan to do in the future. Its completely up to you.

[immiprocess 1]

I agree with Kyda.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Asia: South regional forum. OP's question (and replies) regarding a name change is more specific to Pakistani culture than it is to the visa process.

[sn530 27]

I am kind of new to this topic poll. My question is, how important is it to change your first name? When going through my wedding my name wasn't a Muslim name so the decided to change my name to a Muslim name rather than the name I was born with. Should I change my first name? Or can I keep it the same? How important is your first name, name change when it comes to paperwork?

Hello, I am not sure if you got your answer already but maybe this will help.

"how important is it to change your first name? When going through my wedding my name wasn't a Muslim name so the decided to change my name to a Muslim name rather than the name I was born with.

- So, let me get this right you changed your name?... was this officially done with name change registery?

- I just re-read your post and it seems that you are a bit confused on NAME CHANGE.

1. What is currenty your registerd name? the one that is used to pull up your Credit History information, the one that is on your drivers license and also the one that is registerd to your social security number.

2. Now that you have already started the process for immigration, the consistancy of your name needs to be maintained. meaning your name needs to be the same on all documents and it should be traceable to history (This being the history most gov. agency's are able to pull on individuals... AKA .. Background Check)

If your name is inconsistant in documentation you will be refused, so if the information you are submitting to the immigration is not consistant or you have already submitted some documenation that does not agree with the rest. I Highly suggest you recall your application start again when you have decided what name you want to stay with. Also in the application there is a question of which names have you used previously. Your prior name will be noted there and if it is going to be an issue it will be still represented in the application.

GOOD LUCK!