Maiden vs. Married name: Which will be on Green Card?

[coip 1]

I married my wife in Japan and she legally changed her surname to mine. In all of my applications (I-130, I-864, ds-230, etc.) to the U.S. government I always listed her family name as mine. However, whenever I receive correspondence from them, it always refers to her by her maiden name, not mentioning her new surname at all. I believe this is because her passport still has her maiden name.

I asked on here before if we should change her passport for this process, but someone said it wasn't necessary. They said her green card would have her new surname (i.e., mine) even though her passport had her old name, and she'd just need to carry around a copy of her marriage certificate whenever she traveled. Now I'm worried that this is not the case, and that she should've gotten a new passport right away.

We'd much prefer her green card was with her new surname. How can we ensure this will be the case? Her interview at the Tokyo embassy is on April 8th. Should she change her passport before then, or will that complicate things since all the documents we submitted to the government before (I-130, I-864, ds-230, etc.) had copies of her current passport page (i.e., maiden name)?

[milimelo 4,484]

The immigrant visa and subsequent green card will be in whatever name is in her passport. If she wants the green card in her married name she either gets her passport in the married name or you pay $$$ for I-90 after she gets the green card in her maiden name.

[Saylin 1,605]

I married my wife in Japan and she legally changed her surname to mine. In all of my applications (I-130, I-864, ds-230, etc.) to the U.S. government I always listed her family name as mine. However, whenever I receive correspondence from them, it always refers to her by her maiden name, not mentioning her new surname at all. I believe this is because her passport still has her maiden name.

I asked on here before if we should change her passport for this process, but someone said it wasn't necessary. They said her green card would have her new surname (i.e., mine) even though her passport had her old name, and she'd just need to carry around a copy of her marriage certificate whenever she traveled. Now I'm worried that this is not the case, and that she should've gotten a new passport right away.

We'd much prefer her green card was with her new surname. How can we ensure this will be the case? Her interview at the Tokyo embassy is on April 8th. Should she change her passport before then, or will that complicate things since all the documents we submitted to the government before (I-130, I-864, ds-230, etc.) had copies of her current passport page (i.e., maiden name)?

Like milimelo said, the visa (and subsequent green card) will come in whatever name is in her passport. So, if you both want it to be in her married name, get her passport changed pronto. Doesn't matter about the previously submitted copies of the passport page. They'll use whatever is presented at the time of the interview.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Saylin

[JstaRebel 48]

If you're already waiting for her 2 year green card, I wouldn't rock the boat and posibly cause yourselves more issues. My wifes 2 year GC is in her maiden name, and we have just filed to lift conditions. She updated her passport before we filed so that her married name will now be on both. Good Luck!!

[coip 1]

I see. Hmm, it might be too risky to try to get a new passport in the 25 days before her interview date. Damn, I wish I had noticed this sooner. I'll call the Tokyo embassy.

If you're already waiting for her 2 year green card, I wouldn't rock the boat and posibly cause yourselves more issues. My wifes 2 year GC is in her maiden name, and we have just filed to lift conditions. She updated her passport before we filed so that her married name will now be on both. Good Luck!!

Have you had any problems with her having a green card of her maiden name in the U.S.? I imagined tons of problems when trying to get her a drivers license in her married name, banking and credit cards, loans, etc. That's why we want it in her married name.

Edited March 13, 2013 by coip

[RicknKeiko 0]

We got married in Oct, in Okinawa, we opted to change everything immediatly after our ceremony. Passport only took two weeks to change to new last name. We have used her new last name throughout the entire process, and all has been 1, 2, 3, right along. I guess I would stay as it is now, as the other person prior said. Dont confuse the situation middle way through. But you could always call the NVC and ask. Good Luck!

[NikLR 13,227]

Like milimelo said, the visa (and subsequent green card) will come in whatever name is in her passport. So, if you both want it to be in her married name, get her passport changed pronto. Doesn't matter about the previously submitted copies of the passport page. They'll use whatever is presented at the time of the interview.

Quoting for Emphasis.

[coip 1]

We decided to get her a new passport. We have more than 3 weeks before her interview, but even if the passport doesn't come in time, she can still do the interview and submit her new passport later. I called NVC about this. They told me to call the embassy in Tokyo, which I did, and that's what they seemed to say (the connection was awful).

[ndu26 114]

if the passport arrives before the interview and the police certificate( if needed in your region) is updated to that new name. you should not have any problems. IF its like Nigeria you will need to inform the embassy of the new passport name so they can issue another interview appointment in the new name or else it may be a problem before she is allowed into the embassy for the interview.

Just because you had asked earlier. It does not take that much to change name here in the U.S. Once the updates her SS card to the new name(using marriage certificate as evidence of name change) she goes with it to the DMV or submits it to everywhere else she wants her info pdated.

[NikLR 13,227]

if the passport arrives before the interview and the police certificate( if needed in your region) is updated to that new name. you should not have any problems. IF its like Nigeria you will need to inform the embassy of the new passport name so they can issue another interview appointment in the new name or else it may be a problem before she is allowed into the embassy for the interview.

Just because you had asked earlier. It does not take that much to change name here in the U.S. Once the updates her SS card to the new name(using marriage certificate as evidence of name change) she goes with it to the DMV or submits it to everywhere else she wants her info pdated.

It sounds easy but it can be quite a hassle to get a new passport when you're not in the country of issue. Even for Canadians it's a bit of work. Since the greencard comes with the passport name she would have to pay to change that as well. OR travel with her marriage certificate. Honestly, trying to change it before is a better option.

[coip 1]

if the passport arrives before the interview and the police certificate( if needed in your region) is updated to that new name. you should not have any problems. IF its like Nigeria you will need to inform the embassy of the new passport name so they can issue another interview appointment in the new name or else it may be a problem before she is allowed into the embassy for the interview.

Just because you had asked earlier. It does not take that much to change name here in the U.S. Once the updates her SS card to the new name(using marriage certificate as evidence of name change) she goes with it to the DMV or submits it to everywhere else she wants her info pdated.

The police certificate and getting into the embassy. Those were two things I didn't think about. Her police certificate it under her old name (it was submitted already), and so is the interview. I guess I should contact the embassy, but I think if she brings her old passport along too, that whould be fine. Ugh...

[NikLR 13,227]

I doubt they will need a new police certificate. Doesn't her birth certificate show her maiden name? She just started using the new name with the new passport so unless she goes on a crime spree in the next 20 days.... LOL Call or email them and check though if you want to be sure.