Here I go with another passport question, please help! thx

[wavj 26]

Today I had my appt at Mexican consulate to reneiw my passport in my understanding that is part of the documents I have to sumbit in my AOS package.

They turn me back because I did not bring the marriage certificate of my previous marriage only the divorce decree. Also in Mexico we use both parents last names in our name and since I've been in USA I only use my father's last name which is the way it apprears in my DL and current marriage certificate.

They want me to change my name in my marriage certificate to my original name including my fathers's and mother's last name as it appears in my Mexican birth certificate.

The question I have is, do I really need to have a passport that is not expired ? what is the purpose of it other than of being an official ID?

Thank you so much , please help

P.S. I feel so bad right now crying all the way home please do not be harsh with your inputs.

[aaron2020 11,651]

A passport allows you to travel internationally.

Like an expired driver's license, an expired passport is useless.

[wavj 26]

yes thank you, but my question is if I need to have a passport that is not expired to apply for AOS ?

A passport allows you to travel internationally.

Like an expired driver's license, an expired passport is useless.

[Carla V 43]

I think that you may need it for the interview and I remember we send a copy of mune with the paperwork. Sounds weird they want the marriage certificate along with the divorce but I heard more weird stuff than that in our processes. To get marry, at least in our city hall, I needed my maiden name, otherwise is not you getting married, I gave them my passport with maiden name and my credencial de elector, so it appear my real name an my husbands and after the AOS I change my name to my husbands.... I think they maybe right in asking your marriage certificate to match your passport and birth certificate name

[wavj 26]

I can't find anywhere that says I must have an up to date passport to apply. Yes it is necessary to trave if that is what I want to but right now that is not my priority. I do have my expired passport with the visa I entered the country and the stamp of POE. That is the proof I entered USA legally and I am required to send copy of every page of my passport, but does not clarify anything about expired or renewed or up to date. Does this make sense?

I do not want to go thru all the hassle to change court documents to add my other name as it appears in my birth certificate if I don't HAVE to present a non expried passport to apply for AOS.

[Carla V 43]

A passport allows you to travel internationally.

Like an expired driver's license, an expired passport is useless.

As Aaron answer already an expired passport is useless... and I did sent the copies of mine aswell for AOS we used a lawyer and he did check the expire date but If you want something written stating that it have to be valid, with that I cannot help...

[newoption 1]

Hello MrsHall99,

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Mexican Consulate, but believe me, I have been there before.

I found this information online, I am not sure if you live in Houston, but hopefully it would give you more detail in regards to a passport renewal. http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/houston/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38&Itemid=70

I have a couple of questions for you:

Where did you get your previous (expired) passport? If it was in Mexico, the Mexican Consulates in the USA usually handle a renewal very easily.

Why did you have to show your marriage and/or divorce certificate?

Years ago, I had to renew my passport (that I got it in Mexico City) and along with the required pictures and other copies, the only documents I showed were: ID Credencial de elector, expired passport, and I also had my original birth certificate with me "just in case", but I didn't need that! However, I am pretty sure they never asked me if I was married, divorced or else!

I wonder if that question is just for women that want to change their names...

Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can have an expired passport for AOS. It is not useless.

In many countries, a person out of status in the US cannot renew their passport, they country bars the renewal, and those people are able to AOS.

You don't need a new one for AOS.

Edited May 3, 2014 by Harpa Timsah

[wavj 26]

Hello MrsHall99,

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Mexican Consulate, but believe me, I have been there before.

I found this information online, I am not sure if you live in Houston, but hopefully it would give you more detail in regards to a passport renewal. http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/houston/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38&Itemid=70

I have a couple of questions for you:

Where did you get your previous (expired) passport? If it was in Mexico, the Mexican Consulates in the USA usually handle a renewal very easily.

Why did you have to show your marriage and/or divorce certificate?

Years ago, I had to renew my passport (that I got it in Mexico City) and along with the required pictures and other copies, the only documents I showed were: ID Credencial de elector, expired passport, and I also had my original birth certificate with me "just in case", but I didn't need that! However, I am pretty sure they never asked me if I was married, divorced or else!

I wonder if that question is just for women that want to change their names...

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Thanks for your reply. Yes I live in Houston, my expired passport was issue in El Paso and it expired in 2007. Credencial de Elector is expired too as well as Mexican DL ( and I can't find them anywhere right now) I had to show my current marriage certificate because in the application form I had to check if I am single, married or divorced. In my expried passport it showed my previous married name and I had to prove I am divorced showing the divorce decree which I had with me. The person who scheduled the appointment on the phone gave me a list of documents to bring but never mentioned to bring the marriage certificate from first marriage.

We inquired on the information center phone number of USCIS and they verified that I do not need a valid passpor to apply. However I do need to present a valid ID for Biometrics and to the interview. My TX DL expired on my birthday this Nov 2014. I will not have any other form of valid ID after that date, and who knows how long this process of AOS will take from the day the package is received, Biometrics is schedule and the intervie is scheduled too. It is May provided we send the package next week I will have 6 months with valid ID. If I do not have an interview schedule before Nov 5 of this year, I won't have valid ID.

So next thing is to go the court and ask what do I need to do to change -add one more last name- my name in our marriage certficate and how long would that take. That is one thing, the other factor is to schedule another appointment at the Mexican consulate to apply for the passport again bringing the required documentation and that can take 2 more months.

Does anyone here know any other ways to identify yourself for the interview? is the Mexican consular ID a valid for of ID for immigration purposes? I will be calling again Monday asking if the process of getting this ID card is different or easier to get my passport.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matr%C3%ADcula_Consular

Thank you

[wavj 26]

I aslo for got to ask that if I am able to reniew my passport after I send the package, would it be an issue if the copies of the valid passpot was not included in the package since that will be my way of identifying for biometrics and interview? It does not sound like a inssue to me but I don't know if I should wait to send the package until I have the new passport? I just want to make sure I do not make mistakes.

Thanks again

[Dave&Roza 748]

I aslo for got to ask that if I am able to reniew my passport after I send the package, would it be an issue if the copies of the valid passpot was not included in the package since that will be my way of identifying for biometrics and interview? It does not sound like a inssue to me but I don't know if I should wait to send the package until I have the new passport? I just want to make sure I do not make mistakes.

Thanks again

A passport is a government issued ID. So is your DL. The passport is used for international travel. Since you are in the US, and if you have no desire to travel internationally than you never need to renew your passport or to get a US passport should you become a USC. How many USC are there running around without a US passport? They use their DL as their government issued ID. You should see the look on some people's faces when I use my US passport when conducting official business as they are expecting to see a DL. Why go to all that trouble to get a passport in which the name does not match the name you are using for your GC or DL?

Good luck,

Dave

[wavj 26]

A passport is a government issued ID. So is your DL. The passport is used for international travel. Since you are in the US, and if you have no desire to travel internationally than you never need to renew your passport or to get a US passport should you become a USC. How many USC are there running around without a US passport? They use their DL as their government issued ID. You should see the look on some people's faces when I use my US passport when conducting official business as they are expecting to see a DL. Why go to all that trouble to get a passport in which the name does not match the name you are using for your GC or DL?

Good luck,

Dave

Thanks Dave I appreciate your input. The problem I may be facing is that by the time I have the interview my DL will be expired. The expiration date of my DL is Nov of this year and who says I will have the interview before then.