Passport/AOS Surname

[uk2upstateny 13]

Hi there,

My AOS papers have been filed and I'm waiting to hear about getting biometrics. My question - I have taken my husband's surname and entered this on all my AOS forms accordingly. My passport obviously still has my maiden name in it. Will it be a problem to have a visa with a different last name in my passport containing my maiden name? Should I try and get a new passport with the correct name it?

I'm confused about when a good time might be to update my passport. Thanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Any visa you get will have to be in your maiden name, but it's not a problem.

A Greencard is not a visa. I am confused why you are equating them.

You can change your passport whenever it is convenient for you, or never. It is not a problem to gave a GC in married name and a passport in your maiden name.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi there,

My AOS papers have been filed and I'm waiting to hear about getting biometrics. My question - I have taken my husband's surname and entered this on all my AOS forms accordingly. My passport obviously still has my maiden name in it. Will it be a problem to have a visa with a different last name in my passport containing my maiden name? Should I try and get a new passport with the correct name it?

I'm confused about when a good time might be to update my passport. Thanks!

According to your timeline you have filed for a K-1 visa and arrived in the US. That visa in no longer valid. It is to be used to enter the US one time to get married. You did so. Then you had to get married within 90 days of arrival. You did so. Now you are filing for AOS and using your married name. The GC will come in the married name. The passport will be in you maiden name until you 1) change it to your married name, 2) wait until you become a USC and get a US passport in your married name. Just remember that when you travel outside the US that the ticket must match the name on your government issued ID used for that travel--i.e. your passport in most cases. The problem will be if you get a brain dead airline employee that cannot see that the person named on the passport, boarding pass, and GC are all one and the same. That is why it is recommended to carry a copy of the Marriage Certificate to help them make that connection.

Updating your passport is up to you and how difficult and expensive it will be. If it has more than 4 years of validity on it, you can wait until you get citizenship, should you want to, and apply for a US passport. Might want to check what is involved with getting a new passport while in the US.

Good luck,

Dave

[lost_at_sea 995]

I think OP means that her passport has her maiden name in it (as is the expired visa in it), and will that look weird (like, using that in conjunction with AP that'll come in married name). I don't think the OP believes her visa to be a GC.

GC will show up in married name.

Updating your UK passport abroad isn't too hard: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y/usa/renewing_new/adult

See also: https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/overview

I think the UK would like you to update your passport, because you changed your name. Only be as hurried about it as you intend to use it for international travel. For US domestic, just take your marriage cert with you for now (domestic flights don't even NEED a passport - you can get a drivers licence and use that if you wanted).

Edited December 3, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It's okay to use AP in married name and passport in maiden name too. It's not so weird - they deal with this every day. Very common. You can bring a copy of your marriage cert to explain the name change, just in case.

[uk2upstateny 13]

Yes, that is precisely what I meant.. Thanks very much for the helpful answer. I don't know why everyone thought I was saying my visa is my green card.. Oh well! And yes, I think you're right.. The UK lot would probably be happier if I updated it at some point.

I think OP means that her passport has her maiden name in it (as is the expired visa in it), and will that look weird (like, using that in conjunction with AP that'll come in married name). I don't think the OP believes her visa to be a GC.

GC will show up in married name.

Updating your UK passport abroad isn't too hard: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y/usa/renewing_new/adult

See also: https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/overview

I think the UK would like you to update your passport, because you changed your name. Only be as hurried about it as you intend to use it for international travel. For US domestic, just take your marriage cert with you for now (domestic flights don't even NEED a passport - you can get a drivers licence and use that if you wanted).