Wife's birth certificate needed? (split topic)

[bluebird74 34]

Firstly, big thanks to lost_at_sea for updating her guide. It has certainly helped me and a lot of us here.

Now, my yet another question : Do I include my wife's birth certificate - along with translation, in my initial I-130 package? The list of required documents doesn't mention that - just her passport, so I want to make sure I don't miss anything.

One other thing that caught my attention, is the mention of Statutory Declaration of 1835 for change of name in the UK or Court Order for petitioner and beneficiary (if applicable). This is mentioned in the CHECKLIST for I-130 under the list of document order under which they should be submitted. What does it mean exactly and what makes this applicable to my case? We got married in the UK and she will take on my Last Name. Thing is, how do I actually go about changing her name to mine? The only thing I was told was, that our marriage certificate gives me the right to ask for legal change of name at all institutions (e.g., NHS, HMRC, banks). This is a bit confusing, for I thought you actually have to sign something at the Registry Office if your wife to take on you Last Name.

[Ryan H 3,829]

Post split from pinned topic in another forum.

[lost_at_sea 995]

The UK is weird, because you can just start using a new married name, without applying for a document (although changing by deed poll is a thing people do who need the paper trail). If you're changing your name through marriage, then the marriage certificate is usually enough evidence of the name change (so when she gets her passport updated, she'll only need to show the marriage cert to get the name change - she should do this, BTW, to save confusion when travelling).

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

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/feb/06/changing-your-name-dos-and-donts

If you need more evidence than the marriage certificate (you may not, you can enquire with the field office by email. I've never heard if the other married ladies with husband's names needing more, but they probably already had updated passports.), then you can get a deed poll document.

https://deedpolloffice.com/advice/woman-getting-married

Beneficiary birth certificate is needed at the interview.

[bluebird74 34]

The UK is weird, because you can just start using a new married name, without applying for a document (although changing by deed poll is a thing people do who need the paper trail). If you're changing your name through marriage, then the marriage certificate is usually enough evidence of the name change (so when she gets her passport updated, she'll only need to show the marriage cert to get the name change - she should do this, BTW, to save confusion when travelling).

When one is used to a different approach - yes, it seems weird. I got the first taste of that when I first called the Registry Office to find out how I could marry someone. I'm glad I got through all of this a while back

I'm glad you cleared this up for me. We will definitely be going to the bank and notifying other institutions of my wife's acquisition of my Family name. Sometime before the interview, she will definitely need to get her new updated passport. One more thing: On my I-130 petition, along with G-325A, I have put my wife's Family name as mine and other names - her maiden name. Was that correct?

[lost_at_sea 995]

When one is used to a different approach - yes, it seems weird. I got the first taste of that when I first called the Registry Office to find out how I could marry someone. I'm glad I got through all of this a while back

I'm glad you cleared this up for me. We will definitely be going to the bank and notifying other institutions of my wife's acquisition of my Family name. Sometime before the interview, she will definitely need to get her new updated passport. One more thing: On my I-130 petition, along with G-325A, I have put my wife's Family name as mine and other names - her maiden name. Was that correct?

Yeah, sounds OK to me. That's why they have the "other names" field, I guess. Saves them the confusion.

[bluebird74 34]

Good. I figured that's how it's supposed to be, but it's better to ask people that have gone through the procedure - just to make sure There are always little things that make a person unsure or even confused. I'm actually still not 100% about whether or not I should check off the I-130 Checklist For Petition For Alien Spouse or leave it blank. That's the list that should go on top of all the documents. I assume, it's for the clerk at the Embassy to make sure my package is complete and correct. I hope I'm right.

[bluebird74 34]

Oh yeah, almost forgot: what's the best and cheapest way to mail the package to London? I assume, I shall put documents inside the manila type envelope and not to fold them, right?

[lost_at_sea 995]

Good. I figured that's how it's supposed to be, but it's better to ask people that have gone through the procedure - just to make sure There are always little things that make a person unsure or even confused. I'm actually still not 100% about whether or not I should check off the I-130 Checklist For Petition For Alien Spouse or leave it blank. That's the list that should go on top of all the documents. I assume, it's for the clerk at the Embassy to make sure my package is complete and correct. I hope I'm right.

I actually ticked off the list where I'd included things, mostly as a way to double check with myself that all the right things were in there. I don't think you have to, though. Just make sure it's in the order they request.

Oh yeah, almost forgot: what's the best and cheapest way to mail the package to London? I assume, I shall put documents inside the manila type envelope and not to fold them, right?

I sent mine from the Post Office - Royal Mail, next day by noon, signed-for. I'd recommend just going in and asking for a signed-for service so you can check the package got delivered. Yes, a manilla envelope is fine. I used a plain white A4 one we nicked from hub's stationery cupboard. We were, uh, "borrowing" the printing facilities to copy/print everything.

Still haven't bothered to buy a printer since we started all this immigration nonsense. Maybe I'll treat myself for RoC.

[bluebird74 34]

I actually ticked off the list where I'd included things, mostly as a way to double check with myself that all the right things were in there. I don't think you have to, though. Just make sure it's in the order they request.

I sent mine from the Post Office - Royal Mail, next day by noon, signed-for. I'd recommend just going in and asking for a signed-for service so you can check the package got delivered. Yes, a manilla envelope is fine. I used a plain white A4 one we nicked from hub's stationery cupboard. We were, uh, "borrowing" the printing facilities to copy/print everything.

Still haven't bothered to buy a printer since we started all this immigration nonsense. Maybe I'll treat myself for RoC.

Thanks. I am going to do the same with the checklist, and include another one (not ticked off) just in case - for the clerk

FYI: I have spent the last 20 mins trying to fill out the address (setting font size and margins), so I can print it on my envelope. All that work, and I just found out the envelope (C4) will not feed through the printer....damn! Ended up writing the address by hand

I bought my all-in-one printer a while back. It sure has saved me a ton of time and money.