The FNU nightmare

[Mrs. AJ 1]

Hello everyone,

I've read about this situation happening to many people coming from India but it has happened to us as well. When my husband received his passport, the first name was left blank and they entered his last, middle and first name, (in that order), on the line reserved for his last name. All of the forms were submitted to the USCIS and NVC in the order that we do names here in the US, being first name, middle name and last name so we couldn't understand why when he received his VISA, the first name line had his name listed as FNU and his last name contained his last name, middle name and first name, just as the passport did. The green card arrived last week with the same name setup as the passport and the VISA. At the time his VISA was issued, we assumed the FNU was some kind of NVC abbreviation or prefix for something and didn't worry about it. After doing research, we found out that FNU means first name unknown. I've made calls to both the USCIS as well as the DOS and both agencies say that they are not responsible and can do nothing about it. They said that his name was printed on the VISA exactly how it was printed on the passport. I went to the DMV to have my last name changed on my drivers license and was told that the only way that I could change it was to keep my current last name and have his last, middle and first name added to the end of mine, just as it is in his passport and VISA. All of his documents from school, birth certificate, etc. have the same name set up because that's the way it's done. SIGH..... this is such a mess. About a week after his arrival, we made a trip to the social security office and explained the situation to them. His social security card arrived with the correct order. So now., the card says first name, middle name and last name but his other documents do not. Is anyone else familiar with this? Is there a solution other than him traveling back home and attempting to get a change in his passport from Cameroon? We have so many other questions too? Is it possible for him to get a drivers license with his first name being FNU? Can we get a checking account together with his name being FNU? Do we have to go back to the social security office and ask that the name be changed to the same way that it is on the green card? If we go with the FNU nightmare for now, what happens when we are able to make the correct name change? It's very aggravating because we are given two years to prove that we have a valid marriage and a life together but yet, because of the name complications, it feels like it is holding us back from getting our life established.

Any advice would be greatly appreicated.

Thank you

Mr. and Mrs. AJ

[nami33 6]

Hello everyone,

I've read about this situation happening to many people coming from India but it has happened to us as well. When my husband received his passport, the first name was left blank and they entered his last, middle and first name, (in that order), on the line reserved for his last name. All of the forms were submitted to the USCIS and NVC in the order that we do names here in the US, being first name, middle name and last name so we couldn't understand why when he received his VISA, the first name line had his name listed as FNU and his last name contained his last name, middle name and first name, just as the passport did. The green card arrived last week with the same name setup as the passport and the VISA. At the time his VISA was issued, we assumed the FNU was some kind of NVC abbreviation or prefix for something and didn't worry about it. After doing research, we found out that FNU means first name unknown. I've made calls to both the USCIS as well as the DOS and both agencies say that they are not responsible and can do nothing about it. They said that his name was printed on the VISA exactly how it was printed on the passport. I went to the DMV to have my last name changed on my drivers license and was told that the only way that I could change it was to keep my current last name and have his last, middle and first name added to the end of mine, just as it is in his passport and VISA. All of his documents from school, birth certificate, etc. have the same name set up because that's the way it's done. SIGH..... this is such a mess. About a week after his arrival, we made a trip to the social security office and explained the situation to them. His social security card arrived with the correct order. So now., the card says first name, middle name and last name but his other documents do not. Is anyone else familiar with this? Is there a solution other than him traveling back home and attempting to get a change in his passport from Cameroon? We have so many other questions too? Is it possible for him to get a drivers license with his first name being FNU? Can we get a checking account together with his name being FNU? Do we have to go back to the social security office and ask that the name be changed to the same way that it is on the green card? If we go with the FNU nightmare for now, what happens when we are able to make the correct name change? It's very aggravating because we are given two years to prove that we have a valid marriage and a life together but yet, because of the name complications, it feels like it is holding us back from getting our life established.

Any advice would be greatly appreicated.

Thank you

Mr. and Mrs. AJ

We all would like to help but the truth is we don't know how and what needs to be done. I hope you guys find some resolution to this. Sorry!

[longtrip 24]

My sister is facing the same FNU nightmare.

You could have your husband change his name back to his birth names in court and submit that approved name change court document to USCIS for a new green card with his correct names. Name change through court will cost about $150 (well in my State, not sure how much in yours) and then another I think $400 to USCIS for his new green card.

OR

The best option that will cost you nothing: Wait for your husband to apply for citizenship when he is eligible; have his name changed (back to original name or whatever name he chooses) with USCIS for FREE during his citizenship application.

Your choice how you would like to proceed. Good luck

[NikLR 13,232]

Another thing to try: You can go to your nearest CBP and have them correct the name in the SAVE database ASAP.