About to send in i-130, final questions

[tatelee 2]

Hi guys!

Ok, So i am about to send in my I-130, and am totally freaking out! I'm so scared I will have filled something out wrong, and it will make the process longer. So, I have a few questions just to make sure everything is good.

1) I JUST got married 2 days ago, so I haven't gotten around to changing my name. However, on all the forms I used my new married name, which I was told on a previous posting I made here, was ok. but, I just realized, on the print-outs of me and my husbands join bank account, my name is listed with my maiden name. I know on the I-130 forms it also has you list your maiden name, so they would be able to put 2 and 2 together I hope. Is it ok that my maiden name is on my evidence for bonafide marriage? (The evidence of a joint bank account)

2) On I-130 there is a question about the address that your and your spouse last lived together, however, we have not lived together yet. We live in border towns, so we just drive to and fro throughout the week. We will not be living together until I actually recieve my visa. So, for this question, I put "N/A-will not be living together until end of visa process." is that an ok thing to put?

3)On form G 325A for my husband, the petitioner, the bottom asks is the form is being submitted with an application for naturalization, permanent residency, or other. Now, he is already a citizen, so he put "other-for my wife to earn status as a permanent resident" Is that an acceptable answer?

Thanks! Sorry if these are dumb questions!!

[Sandra G. 5,079]

1-Yes.It won't be problem because you used your maiden name.

2-If you are applying for AOS of course you will have a problem not specifying the address you are living together, but if you are filing for CR1 it's ok , because you don't have to live together when applying for CR1, most of the couple will wait the CR1 in order to immigrate to USA.

3-The right answer is form I-130.

Edited September 9, 2012 by sandranj

[sttom 6]

Hi guys!

Ok, So i am about to send in my I-130, and am totally freaking out! I'm so scared I will have filled something out wrong, and it will make the process longer. So, I have a few questions just to make sure everything is good.

1) I JUST got married 2 days ago, so I haven't gotten around to changing my name. However, on all the forms I used my new married name, which I was told on a previous posting I made here, was ok. but, I just realized, on the print-outs of me and my husbands join bank account, my name is listed with my maiden name. I know on the I-130 forms it also has you list your maiden name, so they would be able to put 2 and 2 together I hope. Is it ok that my maiden name is on my evidence for bonafide marriage? (The evidence of a joint bank account)

2) On I-130 there is a question about the address that your and your spouse last lived together, however, we have not lived together yet. We live in border towns, so we just drive to and fro throughout the week. We will not be living together until I actually recieve my visa. So, for this question, I put "N/A-will not be living together until end of visa process." is that an ok thing to put?

3)On form G 325A for my husband, the petitioner, the bottom asks is the form is being submitted with an application for naturalization, permanent residency, or other. Now, he is already a citizen, so he put "other-for my wife to earn status as a permanent resident" Is that an acceptable answer?

Thanks! Sorry if these are dumb questions!!

An advice on using your married name in I-130 and other applications for the process: Since you said you got married 2 days ago, make sure you have a new passport in the married name. Else you have a good chance of facing issues and delays.

Regarding "evidence of bonafide marriage": You should be OK since your applications have a section called "Other names used" where you put in the maiden name.

[tatelee 2]

An advice on using your married name in I-130 and other applications for the process: Since you said you got married 2 days ago, make sure you have a new passport in the married name. Else you have a good chance of facing issues and delays.

Regarding "evidence of bonafide marriage": You should be OK since your applications have a section called "Other names used" where you put in the maiden name.

Okay, I will get a new passport. In order to get that, do I need more evidence than just a marriage certificate to get a passport in a different name? Or do I have to go legally change it somewhere else and then apply for a new passport? Sorry, I just dont exactly know how to do this name change thing

Thanks!

[tatelee 2]

An advice on using your married name in I-130 and other applications for the process: Since you said you got married 2 days ago, make sure you have a new passport in the married name. Else you have a good chance of facing issues and delays.

Regarding "evidence of bonafide marriage": You should be OK since your applications have a section called "Other names used" where you put in the maiden name.

Also, is it totally necessary to get a new passport in my new name? I wasn't planning on going through the process of changing my name until I have my big religious wedding ceremony in February. (We just got married last weekend at the courthouse so we could start the visa process, but we wanted to wait until or religious ceremony because, for us, that is our "true" wedding) Or is it possible to only get a new passport, and not change my name anywhere else?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks again!

[sttom 6]

Also, is it totally necessary to get a new passport in my new name? I wasn't planning on going through the process of changing my name until I have my big religious wedding ceremony in February. (We just got married last weekend at the courthouse so we could start the visa process, but we wanted to wait until or religious ceremony because, for us, that is our "true" wedding) Or is it possible to only get a new passport, and not change my name anywhere else?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks again!

I am not too sure about the requirements for getting a new passport in your married name in Canada. Each country has its own set of required documents and maybe someone else can help you with that.

There is no strict rule if you should use your married name or your maiden name (its upto you) but you should use one name or the other in I-130 and other forms (including forms to be used during NVC processing). AFAIK, the Consulate will issue your visa in the name that is in the passport, and if all your immigration applications have your married name while your passport has the maiden name, that could add to the delay.

In short, in your case, if you want to keep your maiden name till the religious ceremony, use the same in your immigration forms. Once you get the GC in your maiden name, and the ceremony done, you can request a name change for the GC (which will definitely cost you money!), but then you will also have to update your passport, drivers license (if you have one by that time) etc. Alternatively, you could hold on to the maiden name till you apply for removal of conditions, and have it done in one go.

PS: We applied with my wife's maiden name, because our primary objective was to be together ASAP!

[tatelee 2]

I am not too sure about the requirements for getting a new passport in your married name in Canada. Each country has its own set of required documents and maybe someone else can help you with that.

There is no strict rule if you should use your married name or your maiden name (its upto you) but you should use one name or the other in I-130 and other forms (including forms to be used during NVC processing). AFAIK, the Consulate will issue your visa in the name that is in the passport, and if all your immigration applications have your married name while your passport has the maiden name, that could add to the delay.

In short, in your case, if you want to keep your maiden name till the religious ceremony, use the same in your immigration forms. Once you get the GC in your maiden name, and the ceremony done, you can request a name change for the GC (which will definitely cost you money!), but then you will also have to update your passport, drivers license (if you have one by that time) etc. Alternatively, you could hold on to the maiden name till you apply for removal of conditions, and have it done in one go.

PS: We applied with my wife's maiden name, because our primary objective was to be together ASAP!

THank you so much! Luckily, I havent sent anything in yet so I am going to just use my maiden name on all the forms. I will just hang onto it until my religious ceremony and then get my green card changed and all that! I want to be with my husband ASAP and avoid any possible delays. Thank you so much for your help!