Traveling outside the US after a complete name change

[Gabi and Uri 0]

Hey everyone was hoping for a bit of help...

My fiance (I know asking this a bit early but we want to make sure we have our information right) would like to do a complete name change (for personal reasons) after receiving his conditional green card. I have already talked to my attorney about this process. If I understand correctly, he is able to do a name change with his naturalization, however, that would be several years before that would happen. He is close with family here in China and would like to visit while on his conditional green card.

My question: Is it possible for him to leave the country for a couple of weeks and re-enter the US if his Chinese passport and US green card have a different first and last name? If not, is there anything we are able to do so he can visit family and still go through with the name change?

Note: This is not a name change due to marriage. My fiance is male and I am the USC.

Thank you!

[Gabi and Uri 0]

Quick additional question:

Would it be possible to complete the name change before applying for the green card so we would not have to pay another $400/ wait up to 6 months for a new card?

Thanks again!

[nightingalejules 678]

I have no idea how long the name change process will take for him, so I can't speak to that. But when the passport and green card don't match, he should have proof that it's the same person. So he'd need to travel with passport, green card, and name change certificate, at least.

Probably, if it's possible to keep his old passport with the old name (even if it's expired) that would help too.

I personally would hesitate to travel if my documents didn't match, so if I were in your situation, I'd probably either wait until the name change goes through or pay the money to get a new green card.

[Gabi and Uri 0]

I have no idea how long the name change process will take for him, so I can't speak to that. But when the passport and green card don't match, he should have proof that it's the same person. So he'd need to travel with passport, green card, and name change certificate, at least.

Probably, if it's possible to keep his old passport with the old name (even if it's expired) that would help too.

I personally would hesitate to travel if my documents didn't match, so if I were in your situation, I'd probably either wait until the name change goes through or pay the money to get a new green card.

Thank you so much for your help. We already know how to handle the name change process. I have a lawyer at home who will be taking care of that. My fiance not going home till after his naturalization is not an option. I am very worried about him leaving the country with not having matching documents. I was not sure if leaving the US with a completely different name than his passport (even with legal name change documentation) would be a successful trip or if he would have problem with re-entering.

If we do have to pay the extra for the new green card than we will.

Is it possible to get a new passport with his new name or what do you mean keep his old passport?

We were just hoping there was a second option.

Again thank you for your help.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Family Based AOS to Working and Traveling During US Immigration Forum~

~Inquiry about LPR travel~

[Sam and Fen 41]

Try the Chinese Embassy/Consulate and ask them if they will issue a new passport or endorse the old Passport when the name change is done.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Sam and Fen

[Darnell 8,478]

There are ways to legally change a name IN China whilst still living there.

Not for the weak, though, takes some moneys (and yes, is legal)...

otherwise,

once in USA -

file for legal name change at the county (no r there) courthouse,

then :

1. get new greencard (file I-90, pay 420)

2. get SSN name changed with SSA, showing courthouse document

3. get to china embassy to get new passport issued (no clue on cost or doc requirements)

if not done this way, holding passport and greencard in different names, as a MALE PRC person,

is difficult to board the plane in China to come back to USA. IIRC, leaving USA is not a problem, green card not usually checked at security or immigration control, but that ticket must be in passport name.

Still, is some gray area on this...

Whatever you decide - good luck !

[Gabi and Uri 0]

Try the Chinese Embassy/Consulate and ask them if they will issue a new passport or endorse the old Passport when the name change is done.

That is a very good suggestions. I will ask him to call the embassy here in China some time today and see if they have any suggestions.

There are ways to legally change a name IN China whilst still living there.

Not for the weak, though, takes some moneys (and yes, is legal)...

otherwise,

once in USA -

file for legal name change at the county (no r there) courthouse,

then :

1. get new greencard (file I-90, pay 420)

2. get SSN name changed with SSA, showing courthouse document

3. get to china embassy to get new passport issued (no clue on cost or doc requirements)

if not done this way, holding passport and greencard in different names, as a MALE PRC person,

is difficult to board the plane in China to come back to USA. IIRC, leaving USA is not a problem, green card not usually checked at security or immigration control, but that ticket must be in passport name.

Still, is some gray area on this...

Whatever you decide - good luck !

Getting a new passport is the part that worries me. Is getting a new passport even possible? I will see if he can call the embassy for more information. Thank you!

Yeah him leaving the country with a passport in a different name than his green cards seems way to risky for me. i am afraid of the outcome if we were to do that.

Thank you again