Visiting China with EAD/AP and Passport still with Maiden Name

[qwerk 1]

Could you please share on any of your past experiences traveling with EAD/AP combo card to China?

My wife came here on K-1 and after marriage she took my last name. EAD/AP reflects the new name, but passport still has her maiden name. We booked her ticket to match the passport and I read that it should all be ok on US side, but my question is about chinese authorities in the airport.

Are they going to be OK recognizing that her EAD/AP (the only proof of US reentry) has a different name due to marriage and let her check in to US bound flight?

We just want to make sure that her visit is going smooth, please help with advice. Thank you!

[G Walters 136]

She should carry a copy of the marriage license as proof of the different names.

[qwerk 1]

She should carry a copy of the marriage license as proof of the different names.

Yeah, I understand that, but how do chinese authorities cope with all these american documents and proofs?

Also, in the state of Texas our marriage certificate is written on her maiden name as well. It serves as a proof of marriage and allows her to have a name change in SS office and DMV, but the certificate itself doesn't indicate her new married name. Not sure if it's the same in other states, but that's how it is here. Can anyone clarify and advise please?

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Yeah, I understand that, but how do chinese authorities cope with all these american documents and proofs?

Also, in the state of Texas our marriage certificate is written on her maiden name as well. It serves as a proof of marriage and allows her to have a name change in SS office and DMV, but the certificate itself doesn't indicate her new married name. Not sure if it's the same in other states, but that's how it is here. Can anyone clarify and advise please?

Chinese are not concerned with her American documentation. They only want to see whether she has a Chinese passport when she visits. You've already decided that she should take your last name, but when marrying a Chinese woman it's often better to keep her given and surname to avoid paperwork hassles and maintain the integrity of her culture. But hey, there are plenty of people who do as you've done.

[qwerk 1]

Chinese are not concerned with her American documentation. They only want to see whether she has a Chinese passport when she visits. You've already decided that she should take your last name, but when marrying a Chinese woman it's often better to keep her given and surname to avoid paperwork hassles and maintain the integrity of her culture. But hey, there are plenty of people who do as you've done.

At the time of departure Chinese authorities will be verifying her visa or the document that allows her reentry to US though, right? I'm trying to find out if they will have questions regarding different names on passport and EAD/AP and how to deal with it. Will they look at marriage certificate and accept it? What are previous experiences?

[LibCampFireClub 635]

At the time of departure Chinese authorities will be verifying her visa or the document that allows her reentry to US though, right? I'm trying to find out if they will have questions regarding different names on passport and EAD/AP and how to deal with it. Will they look at marriage certificate and accept it? What are previous experiences?

They will check her American paperwork to ensure the names match just the same as the American customs do. If there is a discrepancy in a name that appears on the paperwork and passports, just make sure she has a copy of the marriage license. If memory serves me the only document needed for name change is the marriage certificate, correct? In other words, you put a different name for her there than what appears on her passport? If that's the case, or whatever other paperwork you used so she could share your last name, I suggest you get certified copies so that she can have them with her wherever she goes. You won't ever need that paperwork for yourself, but only she will need it.

[qwerk 1]

They will check her American paperwork to ensure the names match just the same as the American customs do. If there is a discrepancy in a name that appears on the paperwork and passports, just make sure she has a copy of the marriage license. If memory serves me the only document needed for name change is the marriage certificate, correct? In other words, you put a different name for her there than what appears on her passport? If that's the case, or whatever other paperwork you used so she could share your last name, I suggest you get certified copies so that she can have them with her wherever she goes. You won't ever need that paperwork for yourself, but only she will need it.

Here in states - yes. Marriage certificate is the only proof you need for all name changing affairs. However, the certificate itself doesn't specify her new name since at the time of signing it she has no authority yet to use her new name.

In other words, you sign marriage license in your old name and then it serves as a basis for a name change for all other documents. I'm not sure about other states, but in Texas they never include a new name on the marriage certificate itself. Thus I can see how chinese can have questions about it.

Any thoughts on it?

[Pitaya 2,577]

She should take a copy of the marriage license with her.

[RandyW 149]

Here in states - yes. Marriage certificate is the only proof you need for all name changing affairs. However, the certificate itself doesn't specify her new name since at the time of signing it she has no authority yet to use her new name.

In other words, you sign marriage license in your old name and then it serves as a basis for a name change for all other documents. I'm not sure about other states, but in Texas they never include a new name on the marriage certificate itself. Thus I can see how chinese can have questions about it.

Any thoughts on it?

You (she) will occasionally run into an airline clerk who is unfamiliar with the paperwork you have. If this happens, have her ask to speak to a supervisor. There will usually be someone available who understands the paperwork.

If you want to head off this possible headache, you can get an addendum to her Chinese passport to indicate the alternate name (alias) used. Check with the Chinese consulate in the U.S.

As an aside, you may wish to have your marriage certificate certified for use in China for actual legal purposes such as property ownership or visa extensions/renewals. This would require a "fresh" copy (less than 6 months old), certified by the Dept. of State where you were married, and then THAT certification certified by the Chinese consulate with jurisdiction over that state. This is the SAME procedure used for a stateside certification of single status

Edited June 15, 2014 by RandyW

[qwerk 1]

You (she) will occasionally run into an airline clerk who is unfamiliar with the paperwork you have. If this happens, have her ask to speak to a supervisor. There will usually be someone available who understands the paperwork.

If you want to head off this possible headache, you can get an addendum to her Chinese passport to indicate the alternate name (alias) used. Check with the Chinese consulate in the U.S.

As an aside, you may wish to have your marriage certificate certified for use in China for actual legal purposes such as property ownership or visa extensions/renewals. This would require a "fresh" copy (less than 6 months old), certified by the Dept. of State where you were married, and then THAT certification certified by the Chinese consulate with jurisdiction over that state. This is the SAME procedure used for a stateside certification of single status

Thank you, Randy. We will check with chinese consulate about addendum just to be on the safe side. I'll let you all know how that went.

[bigdog 376]

_{My wife has traveled numerous times with a similar scenario and her green card she has had no issues. She does use her maiden name as a middle on US documents. Like AB and others have said take a copy of the marriage license, although we have never been asked.}

[qwerk 1]

_{My wife has traveled numerous times with a similar scenario and her green card she has had no issues. She does use her maiden name as a middle on US documents. Like AB and others have said take a copy of the marriage license, although we have never been asked.}

Woah, thank you, bigdog. That's what I was looking for. Some real life experience. I know in theory everything looks good, but then I see that back in 2011 Beijing airport didn't let any chinese leave to US with EAD/AP cards. Just wanted to avoid any such possible situations.

For everybody's info, we followed RandyW's advise and got an addendum to the passport from Chinese consulate about an additional spelling of her name. It costs $5.

Many thanks for contributions.