I need to correct an old Nigerian passport

[yecatsoya 2]

Hello VJ, I am going through the K1 process with my wife who is a US citizen. We are going to live in SA for a while during the waiting process, but I need to get my passport in order first. Its a long story but 6 years ago in my early 20's i was ill advised when i secured my Nigerian Passport with my father name as my last name for the purpose of traveling to Ghana. (This name is not the same last name on all other of my identification and school certificate) but now its proving to be the worst mistake i ever made in my life, A year ago i tried to rectify the problem when returned to Nigerian from Ghana and all i faced was money hungry friends and contacts who tried all possible best to trick me into several ways to get money from me without any success. It never helped as well that the first time i secured the first passport that's giving me all this problem they made a mistake on my age.

All i'm asking for is advice on what i can do to rectify this Last name issue and also correct the age mistake, as i have my birth certificate, school certificate and many other documents to prove the mistake in age, I would appreciate advice on how i can go about securing a new passport with the last name on my birth certificate and all other documents, i would welcome any question for additional informations as well. Thanks in advance

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

To correct information on any Nigerian passport requires a personal appearance n Abuja. You will have show legal documents regarding the "errors" on your current passport. They do this to cut down on the number of fake passports so many Nigerians carry I do hope you reported both versions on your name on your bio data. Nigeria is famous for denying those that have other undisclosed names on passports.

[yecatsoya 2]

To correct information on any Nigerian passport requires a personal appearance n Abuja. You will have show legal documents regarding the "errors" on your current passport. They do this to cut down on the number of fake passports so many Nigerians carry I do hope you reported both versions on your name on your bio data. Nigeria is famous for denying those that have other undisclosed names on passports.

I never disclosed any other name on any other passport. I had even lost that passport some years ago. I've been putting off facing the issue til earlier this year when I went back to Nigeria to try to sort it out. I paid several people who said they could solve the whole issue. But after traveling back and forth from Lagos to Abuja, nothing ever got done and I returned back to Ghana. I know it's a mess but I'm trying to find my way through it now. Not even so much for the K1 issues, but just to get it corrected and then move on to traveling with my wife to SA for a while. I was wondering if I take all my docs to Abuja myself, and just apply as if applying for a new passport as if I never owned one before. But I just somehow don't think that will work.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You have to go there no one can fix it for you. They are pretty strict on this. Even though they aren't as automated on fingerprints as the US you still have to assume that they will catch up with you and if they do your passport will be listed on the cancelled list ( which is internationally published ) and could cuse you trouble any time it gets scanned. IF you are living in Ghana more than 6 months at a time you will need police certificates there and will have to give fingerprints. Start cleaning this up now or you will have terrible issues getting a visa.

[yecatsoya 2]

You have to go there no one can fix it for you. They are pretty strict on this. Even though they aren't as automated on fingerprints as the US you still have to assume that they will catch up with you and if they do your passport will be listed on the cancelled list ( which is internationally published ) and could cuse you trouble any time it gets scanned. IF you are living in Ghana more than 6 months at a time you will need police certificates there and will have to give fingerprints. Start cleaning this up now or you will have terrible issues getting a visa.

Thanks very much for the advice!

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

This is actually very easy and you don't have to really know anybody.

If I were you I would start the process at my local passport office. Approach an Immigration Officer (they are usually hanging outside like the vultures that they are). Get his name, badge ID, phone number, etc so you can be assured that he will see it through.

DON'T try to hide the facts of your case (though terrible but it's not insurmountable).

DO expect to pay more than the regular fees as you will be doing what is called a reissue.

DO prepare for travelling back to Abuja as there is the only place to do the scanning of fingerprints and taking a picture for the reissue.

DON'T even think of starting any USCIS/DOS paperwork until you have a legitimate passport in your hand.

Good luck.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Hello VJ, I am going through the K1 process with my wife who is a US citizen. We are going to live in SA for a while during the waiting process, but I need to get my passport in order first. Its a long story but 6 years ago in my early 20's i was ill advised when i secured my Nigerian Passport with my father name as my last name for the purpose of traveling to Ghana. (This name is not the same last name on all other of my identification and school certificate) but now its proving to be the worst mistake i ever made in my life, A year ago i tried to rectify the problem when returned to Nigerian from Ghana and all i faced was money hungry friends and contacts who tried all possible best to trick me into several ways to get money from me without any success. It never helped as well that the first time i secured the first passport that's giving me all this problem they made a mistake on my age.

All i'm asking for is advice on what i can do to rectify this Last name issue and also correct the age mistake, as i have my birth certificate, school certificate and many other documents to prove the mistake in age, I would appreciate advice on how i can go about securing a new passport with the last name on my birth certificate and all other documents, i would welcome any question for additional informations as well. Thanks in advance

I hope that means you are not 'currently' going through the K1 process and that your petitioner has not filed yet.

[yecatsoya 2]

I hope that means you are not 'currently' going through the K1 process and that your petitioner has not filed yet.

She filed the petition back in May of this year. We've been living together in Ghana for the majority of the last 4 years. She travels back to the US every few months and I return to Nigeria. We stay about a month or two apart, mostly for work issues, then we rejoin again in Ghana. We met online in 2008, started staying together in 2009, got married in Ghana in June of 2012 and she filed the petition in May of 2013. I'm trying to remember the form I filled out for the biographical info and I don't believe anywhere on there, was passport info. In fact, there wasn't because I recall her saying she hopes there is nothing about that bcos at the time I wasn't even in possession of any pp because the one I had with the wrong name was actually lost.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

She filed the petition back in May of this year. We've been living together in Ghana for the majority of the last 4 years. She travels back to the US every few months and I return to Nigeria. We stay about a month or two apart, mostly for work issues, then we rejoin again in Ghana. We met online in 2008, started staying together in 2009, got married in Ghana in June of 2012 and she filed the petition in May of 2013. I'm trying to remember the form I filled out for the biographical info and I don't believe anywhere on there, was passport info. In fact, there wasn't because I recall her saying she hopes there is nothing about that bcos at the time I wasn't even in possession of any pp because the one I had with the wrong name was actually lost.

You can not file for a K1 when you are married. K1 is for a fiance visa.

Why did you not file for a spousal visa ?

[yecatsoya 2]

You can not file for a K1 when you are married. K1 is for a fiance visa.

Why did you not file for a spousal visa ?

You're right. don't mind me, Im not good with the paperworks. My wife filed the I 130 for the CR1 visa. sorry for the mistake.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

You're right. don't mind me, Im not good with the paperworks. My wife filed the I 130 for the CR1 visa. sorry for the mistake.

Understood but please get up to speed on whats what.

[yecatsoya 2]

Understood but please get up to speed on whats what.

Agreed

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

You're right. don't mind me, Im not good with the paperworks. My wife filed the I 130 for the CR1 visa. sorry for the mistake.

For future questions and to avoid confusion to posters please correct the K1 to a CR1 on your profile and create a timeline.

[QueenE 174]

So you don't have a passport with your real name? and you have never applied for a passport with your real name? if thats the case cant you just now file for a passport with your correct information instead of going the reissue route?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Fingerprints will bite him and he will need police certificates from other countries in the name(s) he used there.