Court order for the name change (for Ukraine)

[A + A 0]

Hi everyone,

hope somebody went through this before.

I'm originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, now living in Washington, DC. My husband and I got married two weeks ago in Las Vegas, NV.

We've already received our marriage certificate by mail. As we now know, my last name doesn't change automatically on the marriage certificate, so I'm indicated under my maiden name on it. Now I'm filling in the applications for adjustment of status, work authorization permit and advance parole and going to put my husband's last name in there. Here the question about changing my last name in the international Ukrainian passport arose. I consulted with the Ukrainian embassy here in DC about the issue. They say that in order to change the last name in the international Ukrainian passport, first of all, I need to obtain a court order for the name change. They were talking about the court of the state where we got married (Nevada). No idea which court. Secondly, the embassy cannot change my passport here. I need to travel to Ukraine, but 100% with that name change order (with apostille and certified translation).

Does anybody have any information about (1) court order for the name change (which court exactly, how can this be done, how long does it take, what's needed for that etc.) and (2) if they really need it in Ukraine?

Any additional information will be greatly appreciated!!!

On my end I'm ready to help with any information I already have too.

[Hypnos 6,576]

In most (all?) states, a marriage certificate is accepted as proof of a name change if you wish to begin using your husband's name. Some states have a space on the marriage licence which indicates the name that the wife will use after the marriage, but some don't.

[Loving_girl 38]

Hi everyone,

hope somebody went through this before.

I'm originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, now living in Washington, DC. My husband and I got married two weeks ago in Las Vegas, NV.

We've already received our marriage certificate by mail. As we now know, my last name doesn't change automatically on the marriage certificate, so I'm indicated under my maiden name on it. Now I'm filling in the applications for adjustment of status, work authorization permit and advance parole and going to put my husband's last name in there. Here the question about changing my last name in the international Ukrainian passport arose. I consulted with the Ukrainian embassy here in DC about the issue. They say that in order to change the last name in the international Ukrainian passport, first of all, I need to obtain a court order for the name change. They were talking about the court of the state where we got married (Nevada). No idea which court. Secondly, the embassy cannot change my passport here. I need to travel to Ukraine, but 100% with that name change order (with apostille and certified translation).

Does anybody have any information about (1) court order for the name change (which court exactly, how can this be done, how long does it take, what's needed for that etc.) and (2) if they really need it in Ukraine?

Any additional information will be greatly appreciated!!!

On my end I'm ready to help with any information I already have too.

Had the same issue. Called Embasy and they said: 1. Put apostile on marriage certificate. 2. Go back to Kyiv and change internal passport + Identification code. 2. Come back to the USA and go to Wasington and apply for foreign passport chage .

On my opinion its bull.......####### cos: if you are already in Kyiv changing internal passport (which due to marriage last name change takes around 7 days) you can do the foreign passport in Ukraine too, it takes up to 10 days. (of course if you have time). The apostille on marriage certificate they need cos it states that its official doc and is valid for usage abroad (also you will need to translate ur apostilled marriage cert...into ukrainian in order to use it in Ukraine).

As for court order of name change: they ask for: a paper that is divided in two sides and it has ur name and husbands name, also court gives you other papers too. (It not a big trouble to recieve it (usually) you just go to the court where you got married and ask them for those papers. explain them where you'll use them (they know what to give). IF YOU HAVE SS CARD YOU'LL NEED THAT PAPER TOO, SO THEY CHANGE LAST NAME ON SS. But some states have different rules, your best bet is to call the court and ask them.

As for your situation: i may only assume that if you live in Washington DC and got married in Vegas, they may get in touch with Vegal Civil registry (or whatever it's called) and do your papers in Washington.....- i just assume.....cos i know you can get birth certificate of USC in any state you are (if you were born in Colorado and now live in Ohio, they send you birth cert....it's some company or something...so may do same thing with marriage papers...i guess).....

Call your local court and tell them your situation, i bet they will explain you better....usually they are helpfull.

[Loving_girl 38]

P.S. Apostille you can get at Secretary of State in your state. Google it.

[A + A 0]

In most (all?) states, a marriage certificate is accepted as proof of a name change if you wish to begin using your husband's name. Some states have a space on the marriage licence which indicates the name that the wife will use after the marriage, but some don't.

Had the same issue. Called Embasy and they said: 1. Put apostile on marriage certificate. 2. Go back to Kyiv and change internal passport + Identification code. 2. Come back to the USA and go to Wasington and apply for foreign passport chage .

On my opinion its bull.......####### cos: if you are already in Kyiv changing internal passport (which due to marriage last name change takes around 7 days) you can do the foreign passport in Ukraine too, it takes up to 10 days. (of course if you have time). The apostille on marriage certificate they need cos it states that its official doc and is valid for usage abroad (also you will need to translate ur apostilled marriage cert...into ukrainian in order to use it in Ukraine).

As for court order of name change: they ask for: a paper that is divided in two sides and it has ur name and husbands name, also court gives you other papers too. (It not a big trouble to recieve it (usually) you just go to the court where you got married and ask them for those papers. explain them where you'll use them (they know what to give). IF YOU HAVE SS CARD YOU'LL NEED THAT PAPER TOO, SO THEY CHANGE LAST NAME ON SS. But some states have different rules, your best bet is to call the court and ask them.

As for your situation: i may only assume that if you live in Washington DC and got married in Vegas, they may get in touch with Vegal Civil registry (or whatever it's called) and do your papers in Washington.....- i just assume.....cos i know you can get birth certificate of USC in any state you are (if you were born in Colorado and now live in Ohio, they send you birth cert....it's some company or something...so may do same thing with marriage papers...i guess).....

Call your local court and tell them your situation, i bet they will explain you better....usually they are helpfull.

Thank you for replying!

Unfortunately, the US marriage certificate is not a reason for the name change on the international as well as the internal passport and the tax ID under the Ukrainian law, as it still has my maiden name on it. Even if I get it apostilled and translated it's not a reason under Ukrainian law. All they need is a court order for the name change (apostilled and translated, along with the marriage certificate).

It's much easier to change the name in the US. Marriage certificate is enough for everything (SSN, driver's license, credit cards etc.).

The reason I'm confused is that we didn't get married in the court, so I have no idea (as well as my husband) where exactly to call. The civil registry (the one which issued our marriage certificate) has no idea what I was taking about when I called them a few days ago. But THANK you! You gave me an idea of start calling the courts! Will definitely do that!

[Loving_girl 38]

Thank you for replying!

Unfortunately, the US marriage certificate is not a reason for the name change on the international as well as the internal passport and the tax ID under the Ukrainian law, as it still has my maiden name on it. Even if I get it apostilled and translated it's not a reason under Ukrainian law. All they need is a court order for the name change (apostilled and translated, along with the marriage certificate).

It's much easier to change the name in the US. Marriage certificate is enough for everything (SSN, driver's license, credit cards etc.).

The reason I'm confused is that we didn't get married in the court, so I have no idea (as well as my husband) where exactly to call. The civil registry (the one which issued our marriage certificate) has no idea what I was taking about when I called them a few days ago. But THANK you! You gave me an idea of start calling the courts! Will definitely do that!

The last name change after marriage IS legal reason to ask for a change of last name in ukrainian passport, and on it's basis foreign passport. (and it's not obligatory to get married in Ukraine, that is why they asked you about papers from a court about name change with appostille to be able to change passports in Ukraine.)

First time hear that apostilled marriage papers (or any other apostilled papers) can not be used in country where you need to present them (in our case name change), please show me in Ukrainian laws where it say that last name in the passport can not be changed after marriage? - maybe i don't know something.....- i've read back and forth the law as for passport change, maybe i miss something..... (my experience of the use of apostilled papers so far was okay, all was accepted everywhere without any problems in several countries, i did with my diplomas, next will do with marriage papers from the USA).

Anyway will be glad if you enlight me where i am wrong!

[Loving_girl 38]

It's much easier to change the name in the US. Marriage certificate is enough for everything (SSN, driver's license, credit cards etc.).

on SSN - if you have one, marriage cert.... is not a reason of the last name change, they ask for name change papers from the court and a GC issued on married name and only than they change last name on SS.......this is what is happening in Ohio, donno about Washington but pretty sure rules are same for each state.

Driver's license - you can get AFTER you get or EAD or GC - because K-1 is no longer valid after entrance, I-94 also is for a short period (and maximum they can do is give you driving license (if you do the driving written and practice tests) untill the end date of your I-94, which usually is pointless cos it's for basically few days....unless you have international driving license, than each state gives you different amount of time during which you can use it....(driving license issuance - are different in each state, check your local DMV web).

Credit cards, rent etc...is okay to present marriage cert. - here you are completely right!

Edited July 3, 2014 by Loving_girl

[vbtwo 54]

Here's another way to look at it: don't bother to change the name in Ukraine. There is absolutely no reason to do it whatsoever. There are a lot of people here that never changed the name in the original country or even tell them that they got married. You can still travel everywhere using the Ukrainian passport with the maiden name on it. Even when you get a GC in the new name, you can still use the original passport in the maiden name. Just make sure that when you buy tickets, you put in the name on the passport (maiden name). When coming back to the US, you can use the GC with the new name and passport with maiden name. We just did it using AP card in new name and passport in maiden name and nobody questioned us at all about it. Have the marriage certificate with you just in case someone asks.

[Loving_girl 38]

Here's another way to look at it: don't bother to change the name in Ukraine. There is absolutely no reason to do it whatsoever. There are a lot of people here that never changed the name in the original country or even tell them that they got married. You can still travel everywhere using the Ukrainian passport with the maiden name on it. Even when you get a GC in the new name, you can still use the original passport in the maiden name. Just make sure that when you buy tickets, you put in the name on the passport (maiden name). When coming back to the US, you can use the GC with the new name and passport with maiden name. We just did it using AP card in new name and passport in maiden name and nobody questioned us at all about it. Have the marriage certificate with you just in case someone asks.

yes, i was also reading people do like this and have zero problems.

also there is a point in not changing last name in Ukraine if you own house or other stuff, bank account etc....cos it means you go to all of these institutions and show them new name papers etc.... pain in the ....

but sometimes there is a point in changing name too, especially for a woman: you get married, you have kids ....... and when you travel abroad it means all the time you carry marriage cert + birth cert of kids....to prove you are the mom and its legal to take them abroad.... (correct me if i am wrong here) and its a bunch of papers to carry all the time.....donno....

I have another issue, my passport will expire in January 2015 )))) so any ways i need to change it too, and so far in Ukraine they talk about biometric passports comming up soon.....and this soon noone knows when to expect......so kinda situation in the air.....

[A + A 0]

Here's another way to look at it: don't bother to change the name in Ukraine. There is absolutely no reason to do it whatsoever. There are a lot of people here that never changed the name in the original country or even tell them that they got married. You can still travel everywhere using the Ukrainian passport with the maiden name on it. Even when you get a GC in the new name, you can still use the original passport in the maiden name. Just make sure that when you buy tickets, you put in the name on the passport (maiden name). When coming back to the US, you can use the GC with the new name and passport with maiden name. We just did it using AP card in new name and passport in maiden name and nobody questioned us at all about it. Have the marriage certificate with you just in case someone asks.

Oh, so you are using your married name on the AP and your maiden name on the Ukrainian passport? My only concern was leaving Ukraine, if the AP (which I'm going to apply for in a few days) and the Ukrainian passport are issued upon different names at the Ukrainian embassy they say there might be a problem with the customs when leaving Ukraine. I even thought today that I'd better stay with my maiden name until the naturalization.... But you are a convincing example of doing the opposite, I guess ))

Thank you!

[vbtwo 54]

Oh, so you are using your married name on the AP and your maiden name on the Ukrainian passport? My only concern was leaving Ukraine, if the AP (which I'm going to apply for in a few days) and the Ukrainian passport are issued upon different names at the Ukrainian embassy they say there might be a problem with the customs when leaving Ukraine. I even thought today that I'd better stay with my maiden name until the naturalization.... But you are a convincing example of doing the opposite, I guess ))

Customs and passport control won't even look at your AP. They do not need it, they do not care how you will enter the US. The only people in Ukraine that need to look at the AP are airline personnel at check-in because the airline is responsible to make sure the person flying has a valid visa or a way to enter the US to avoid penalties. Even then, they just gave a cursory look at the AP card, and didn't even say anything about the name, they probably didn't even look close enough to notice that the name was different. It was the same when coming in to the US, the border control guy at the airport gave a cursory look at the AP card, and then looked at the original K1 visa more closely, took fingerprints and photo and stamped the passport (put status as K1 again).

[A + A 0]

Customs and passport control won't even look at your AP. They do not need it, they do not care how you will enter the US. The only people in Ukraine that need to look at the AP are airline personnel at check-in because the airline is responsible to make sure the person flying has a valid visa or a way to enter the US to avoid penalties. Even then, they just gave a cursory look at the AP card, and didn't even say anything about the name, they probably didn't even look close enough to notice that the name was different. It was the same when coming in to the US, the border control guy at the airport gave a cursory look at the AP card, and then looked at the original K1 visa more closely, took fingerprints and photo and stamped the passport (put status as K1 again).

Thank you for your reply!