CONTRADICTING NAMES

[Keith and Gwen 0]

So its been one year since i got to America. Our life here is starting to make sense and things are great.Yehhhy!!!! Adjustment of status went on smooth and i got my green card faster and easier than we expected. When we got married i took my husbands last name and used it on my social security, green card and all my new documents in America. However, my Kenyan passport is still in my maiden name. I am planning to visit my family back in Kenya come May next year and i still dont know if am supposed to change the last name in my passport or not, just carry my birth certificate incase they ask, do i get a new passport with my husbands last name??? Am so confused and time is ticking, please help????

[Nyosh 5]

So its been one year since i got to America. Our life here is starting to make sense and things are great.Yehhhy!!!! Adjustment of status went on smooth and i got my green card faster and easier than we expected. When we got married i took my husbands last name and used it on my social security, green card and all my new documents in America. However, my Kenyan passport is still in my maiden name. I am planning to visit my family back in Kenya come May next year and i still dont know if am supposed to change the last name in my passport or not, just carry my birth certificate incase they ask, do i get a new passport with my husbands last name??? Am so confused and time is ticking, please help????

Hey, you need to send some documents to the Kenyan Embassy in Washington DC for them to change your name on your passport. The link below has the list of documents you need to send. You can also call the number and you will be given more information. Goodluck.

http://www.kenyaembassy.com/namechange.aspx

[Sunnyland 639]

So its been one year since i got to America. Our life here is starting to make sense and things are great.Yehhhy!!!! Adjustment of status went on smooth and i got my green card faster and easier than we expected. When we got married i took my husbands last name and used it on my social security, green card and all my new documents in America. However, my Kenyan passport is still in my maiden name. I am planning to visit my family back in Kenya come May next year and i still dont know if am supposed to change the last name in my passport or not, just carry my birth certificate incase they ask, do i get a new passport with my husbands last name??? Am so confused and time is ticking, please help????

About your question, it's one of the many questions I asked the USCIS lady (infopass appointment) and she suggested that (as long as that's possible and your country allows it), that when you renew your passport, you include your new married last name in the new passport.

As I'm from Argentina, I'm not 100% sure that can be done as usually there you do not change your ID/passport last name after marriage but I will find it out when I go there at end of year. Maybe you can contact your country embassy in US to ask them.

If your GC has been already approved, please update your timeline as it still shows "pending".

Good luck!

Edited November 9, 2012 by Chris & Isa

[Dave&Roza 748]

So its been one year since i got to America. Our life here is starting to make sense and things are great.Yehhhy!!!! Adjustment of status went on smooth and i got my green card faster and easier than we expected. When we got married i took my husbands last name and used it on my social security, green card and all my new documents in America. However, my Kenyan passport is still in my maiden name. I am planning to visit my family back in Kenya come May next year and i still dont know if am supposed to change the last name in my passport or not, just carry my birth certificate incase they ask, do i get a new passport with my husbands last name??? Am so confused and time is ticking, please help????

There is no problem here. When you travel, you must purchase your travel documents--i.e. tickets--in the name that is on your official government issued ID that is used for international travel--i.e. your Kenyan passport. So that means the airline tickets will be in your maiden name. To re-enter the US you use the GC. Now some airline employees may not be able to connect that your married name on the GC is you and that the name on your passport is also you. Carry a copy of your marriage certificate for those that cannot make the connection. At the US POE they will scan in your GC and all the information about you will come up including your maiden name. So the only "problem" you will have is with the airlines. You might want to call them just to see what you should bring to help speed the process along. Some airlines allow you to complete the immigration document information on-line by entering the GC number.

You can change your passport if you wish, but if you are going to apply for USC in a few years you might not want the hassle and expense--your call.

Good Luck,

Dave