Going through US Customs with spouse or separately?

[jingo 38]

Hi all,

Simple question here, I looked for an answer but couldn't find one, I've been back home in England with my husband for a month and we're re-entering the US this week. At customs, will I need to go up to the customs agent with him or do we go separately? I have my UK passport and my US Greencard.

Thanks!

- J

[Hypnos 6,576]

Together, in the US citizen line, unless otherwise indicated.

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

You specifically mentioned customs, which is after baggage claim. There is supposed to be one customs form per family, so yes, you definitely want to go to the customs agent together because you will only have one form. For immigration, I most airports have a section for US citizens/permanent residents and a section for foreign passport holders who are not LPRs, so either way, you should not have to separate during the trip.

[jingo 38]

Yeah sorry I meant border control BEFORE baggage claim.

PS. Maybe I should also mention I did not change my surname to his, so apart from my GC and old K1 visa, there won't really be proof we're a couple?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yeah sorry I meant border control BEFORE baggage claim.

PS. Maybe I should also mention I did not change my surname to his, so apart from my GC and old K1 visa, there won't really be proof we're a couple?

So? Go together as a family. Ask the person at the back of the line which line they prefer you go in (usually it's the USC line). Sometimes the border patrol person at the desk asks how we are related, and we say we are married. What your name is makes no difference. All that information is in your husband's GC, so they can check it out.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi all,

Simple question here, I looked for an answer but couldn't find one, I've been back home in England with my husband for a month and we're re-entering the US this week. At customs, will I need to go up to the customs agent with him or do we go separately? I have my UK passport and my US Greencard.

Thanks!

- J

You can clear customs together, even if you do not have the same last name. One person fills out the form on behalf of the entire family.

See instructions here --> http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/sample_declaration_form.xml

Have a safe flight!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

This thread is really mixing up "customs" with "border patrol," even though Globehoppermama tried to steer in on track...

[JohnR! 5,495]

Yeah sorry I meant border control BEFORE baggage claim.

PS. Maybe I should also mention I did not change my surname to his, so apart from my GC and old K1 visa, there won't really be proof we're a couple?

You can still use the US Citizens line at immigration and stay with your husband. The processing for US citizens and residents is more streamlined so you will spend less time going through passport control.

Edited September 24, 2012 by Gegel

[jingo 38]

Thank you for all your answers everyone.

Update if anyone is interested; we went through the US citizens line and up to the agent together. He was friendly. He scanned both our passports, then looked at my GC, asked us a couple casual questions about how we met and what we do, but he was very nice. I had to get my fingerprints scanned and picture taken, as usual. We filled out one customs form, and no questions were asked about the fact we don't have the same last name.

Edit: This was in San Francisco (SFO).

Edited September 30, 2012 by jingo