Can I change my name to my married name at NVC stage???

[DearJohn 28]

Hi everyone! While we're waiting on our NOA2, we want to be ready for our next step on NVC and I have some questions regarding my name. (I'm the beneficiary) I didn't use my married name when we filed the I-130 Form because we don't change our names in Colombia after getting married and I thought I couldn't do it without going to the Notary and legally change my name and then my passport, that seemed to be a lot of work and time and we wanted to start the process as soon as was possible, so, the I-130 was sent with my maiden name. Now, after a lot of reading here I think I still can change my name when filing the DS-230 for NVC, to avoid having to pay extra fee for a new GC, change SS, Drivers license, etc, or waiting till I can filed for removing of conditions. I don't want to wait that long!. These are my questions:

1- Is it ok to file the DS-230 with my married name but still having my passport and all of my documents with my maiden name?

2- If so, can I take advantage of this and change my first name a little bit or write my middle name as my first name?

I read on a different forum that if my GC has my married name on it but my passport has my maiden name I would have to carry my marriage license when traveling. I would not mind doing this if I have to, I just want to make sure this actually works and I'm not going to have problems at the Colombian airport or POE in America.

Any advise will be greatly appreciated!

[AlexG187 1]

Jlo

I'm not sure how this will work, but I used my wife's married name on the I-130 and will also on the DS 230 as it asks for both Last name (married) and maiden name. I know it's a bit confusing is changing the last name here in Colombia isn't the norm, but I don't see it being a problem. One thing you might consider is obtaining a passport at the embassy once you get to the US and change your last name that way. The SS card should get to you in a matter of 10 days if you do a name change.

[DearJohn 28]

Jlo

I'm not sure how this will work, but I used my wife's married name on the I-130 and will also on the DS 230 as it asks for both Last name (married) and maiden name. I know it's a bit confusing is changing the last name here in Colombia isn't the norm, but I don't see it being a problem. One thing you might consider is obtaining a passport at the embassy once you get to the US and change your last name that way. The SS card should get to you in a matter of 10 days if you do a name change.

Thanks for your reply AlexG! It is confusing, I would change my passport in the US if I can make it there with no problems. But my husband thinks that the visa name has to match the passport name. I guess the GC would have my married name, but what about the visa name?. Do you have any idea?

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

Jlo.

As the process has started do not worry about the name change. When you reach your POE you will be taken to a small processing room and at that time you can request that your name be changed to your married name. It is the easiest and least confusing of any option. Just be sure to do it before leaving the processing room. Any information from that point on such as your GC will have your requested name change. My wife and I went through this and we never had one moment's problem. Just make sure from that point to write your married name on any document.

As to the passport, it is difficult for Colombians to change the name on their passports (this discussion happens here from time to time) whether in Colombia or at a consulate here in the U.S. My wife has travelled several times back and forth and was only one time asked for her marriage license which was the first time she came. Good luck.

[DearJohn 28]

Jlo.

As the process has started do not worry about the name change. When you reach your POE you will be taken to a small processing room and at that time you can request that your name be changed to your married name. It is the easiest and least confusing of any option. Just be sure to do it before leaving the processing room. Any information from that point on such as your GC will have your requested name change. My wife and I went through this and we never had one moment's problem. Just make sure from that point to write your married name on any document.

As to the passport, it is difficult for Colombians to change the name on their passports (this discussion happens here from time to time) whether in Colombia or at a consulate here in the U.S. My wife has travelled several times back and forth and was only one time asked for her marriage license which was the first time she came. Good luck.

Thank you so much Wayne!! That is very helpful!. So your wife didn't change her name when she filed the DS-230?. I was worried about matching the names on the visa and passport. I don't remember in what forum was, but I read someone said that the DS-230 is the one establishes the name on the GC.

But I also found one of your posts earlier and base on it I posted this topic. I didn't have any hopes of changing my name before getting my GC and all the documents that I'm going to need when I get there, because I didn't do it since the beginning of the petition. That meant changing my passport and all the other identifications that we use in Colombia, even birth certificates before filing the I-130. If this is what worked for your wife then I would prefer to do it that way, it is easier! Thanks again!!!

To add one point, the CBP agent at POE informed my wife that since her GC will be in her married name and her passport (Colombian) will be in her maiden name (visa was in her maiden name as well) to carry an original copy of marriage license. He stated that it is actually to make leaving the foreign country easier than actually re-entering the US since all that information will show up on their computers. I know my wife must have showed our marriage license 4 times before boarding the plane. It could just be a Colombia thing, not sure. Of course once she has her Colombian passport name change it won't be an issue. Just wanted to share that tidbit.

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

Thank you so much Wayne!! That is very helpful!. So your wife didn't change her name when she filed the DS-230?. I was worried about matching the names on the visa and passport. I don't remember in what forum was, but I read someone said that the DS-230 is the one establishes the name on the GC.

But I also found one of your posts earlier and base on it I posted this topic. I didn't have any hopes of changing my name before getting my GC and all the documents that I'm going to need when I get there, because I didn't do it since the beginning of the petition. That meant changing my passport and all the other identifications that we use in Colombia, even birth certificates before filing the I-130. If this is what worked for your wife then I would prefer to do it that way, it is easier! Thanks again!!!

To add one point, the CBP agent at POE informed my wife that since her GC will be in her married name and her passport (Colombian) will be in her maiden name (visa was in her maiden name as well) to carry an original copy of marriage license. He stated that it is actually to make leaving the foreign country easier than actually re-entering the US since all that information will show up on their computers. I know my wife must have showed our marriage license 4 times before boarding the plane. It could just be a Colombia thing, not sure. Of course once she has her Colombian passport name change it won't be an issue. Just wanted to share that tidbit.

Ah yes, I remember those naive days haha. That was written just after POE. Since then, as with any journey, we learn things. What I posted in this thread is accurate. Since then she has been back to Colombia three times and never a problem, not even a second look. Just make sure to fill out the name change form at POE. I have had private IMs that state how easy it was, yet one actual friend of mine, his wife forgot and it has cost them at least 2 grand changing things. Good luck to you. I am always here for all my journey friends, especially those navigating Colombia.

[DearJohn 28]

Ah yes, I remember those naive days haha. That was written just after POE. Since then, as with any journey, we learn things. What I posted in this thread is accurate. Since then she has been back to Colombia three times and never a problem, not even a second look. Just make sure to fill out the name change form at POE. I have had private IMs that state how easy it was, yet one actual friend of mine, his wife forgot and it has cost them at least 2 grand changing things. Good luck to you. I am always here for all my journey friends, especially those navigating Colombia.

Thank you very much Wayne!. I'm going to make sure at POE, this is really important to me