Other names used

[AGUA FRIA 0]

I'm sorry, but I have one last question ....

Does anyone know if the other names used fields are for legal name changes? My fiance's name is Carlos, but many in his family and I call him Richard. This is just a nickname he's had since youth and I wasn't sure if later in the process I called him Richard (say in an interview), it would cause a problem.

[TracyTN 237]

My fiance's name is Charles, but everyone calls him 'Chas'. I didn't put Chas as another name used because he never uses it legally - its just a nickname. If your fiance ever used Richard on a legal document, then I'd list it.

I DID list my previously married name, as I had changed it on my SSN, driver's license, etc. before changing back to my maiden name.

Edited January 21, 2007 by TracyTN

[featherB 1]

My fiance's 'real', legal name, which appears on his birth certificate, passport, credit cards, and anything remotely official is COMPLETELY different to the name he actually uses, and which he's always been known by ever since he was born! I was worried about this - but we put his 'legal' name (Michael) everywhere on the form(s) and letters except for the 'other names used' bit. On that we put the name he actually is known by, and just put '(nickname)' after it. I did worry that that would just confuse the person looking at our forms, but as he really, really is not called Michael by anyone, and never has been, we thought we should mention the name he actually goes by as well. I was worried we'd get an RFE about that, but... no, we got our NOA2 on Friday, so it obviously wasn't a problem.

When it comes to the visa interview, I am definitely going to have to point out that nobody actually calls him Michael RIGHT at the start, because otherwise I'll be sitting there going 'huh? who's Michael?' every time I hear the name - it felt really weird filling it in on all the forms, let alone referring to him by that name in conversation!

[Lace 0]

I assume it meant 'legal' names such as maiden names and such instead of nicknames. Didn't think USCIS wanted to know Goofy (actual nickname of one of my friend) is the nickname for John Doe for example.

[featherB 1]

Well yes, but there's nicknames and there's nicknames! My fiance's 'nickname' (that's what we put as we couldn't think of a better way of describing it) is actually a name... just not his legal one! But it is 'his' name, no matter what the birth certificate says (I mean, it's the name he'd put on an application form for a job, for example, not just the name his friends call him - everyone who isn't his family is under the impression that IS his legal name) and it's the one that appears on all the emails, letters, cards etc we're using as evidence, and it's what I'll be referring to him as in our interview! So in our example, it's more than a 'nickname' and yes, I do think it makes sense to tell USCIS.

I assume it meant 'legal' names such as maiden names and such instead of nicknames. Didn't think USCIS wanted to know Goofy (actual nickname of one of my friend) is the nickname for John Doe for example.

Edited January 21, 2007 by featherB

[Yodrak 7]

AGUA FRIA,

My thoughts are along the line of featherB's. In your situation, since your fiance seems to use the name Richard extensively, and the name is not an obvious derivative of his given name, I would list it under other names used. It is an other name and he does use it.

Yodrak

I'm sorry, but I have one last question ....

Does anyone know if the other names used fields are for legal name changes? My fiance's name is Carlos, but many in his family and I call him Richard. This is just a nickname he's had since youth and I wasn't sure if later in the process I called him Richard (say in an interview), it would cause a problem.

[Yodrak 7]

Flashfish,

'Goofy' is a nickname. ####### and Rich are nicknames. Richard is not a nickname, especially as used by AGUA FRIA's fiance it is an 'other' - as in other than Carlos - name.

Yodrak

I assume it meant 'legal' names such as maiden names and such instead of nicknames. Didn't think USCIS wanted to know Goofy (actual nickname of one of my friend) is the nickname for John Doe for example.