Fiance uses an assumed name

[dsldesch 27]

I've read through all the K1 guides (they're a true godsend, and I'm so grateful I found this site), and I've searched the forum, but there's still a few questions I'm struggling to find answers to (they're on different topics, but I'll keep searching and post separately as I exhaust the places I might find answers...), so hopefully you all may have some guidance for me.

My fiance, since years before we met, has used a name other than his legal birth name. Motivated by a desire to distance himself from an unsupportive family, he has always intented to legally change his name, but due to the costs associated with this in Mexico, he has not done so. Furthermore, to legally change his name now could delay filing our petition by as long as a year, and we don't want that, so we plan to file all forms using his legal name. However, all of our correspondences use his chosen name, rather than his legal birth name, and we're not certain what the protocol for handing this sort of situation should be.

Is it sufficient, as part of our supplement explaining our relationship and how we met, to explain this situation, so when they see his preferred name on our correspondences, it won't raise any flags? Or would it be better for him to write a letter of explanation (signed, of course) and include it with the packet as secondary evidence? We don't want to change our correspondences to use his real name since that would be dishonest, but could our honesty hurt us?

Additionally, on forms where it asks for other names the beneficiary has used, should we list his preferred name? All legal paperwork he's ever used (such as past visas he's had) has been under his legal name, but his email and Facebook page, for example, use his preferred name. Could this be a problem?

I look forward to hearing your comments, and again, I am so thankful to be a part of this community.

[Ontarkie 14,226]

List his name in other names used it will not hurt listing it. When doing the police check also list his alias on it.

[fridgewater 15]

Hi,

In terms of your correspondence and the supplement evidencing your relationship, I would suggest mentioning the fact: a) in your cover letter and b) in the supplement (I also recommend a supplement schedule sheet, listing all evidence. Example below, with the referenced annexure documents behind containing all the actual paperwork evidence)

The explanation should be short and to the point - as you mentioned above.

Although not completely similar, my husband does not use his surname (also wants to legally change his name later on, we postponed this due to the visa) and uses his middle name as his surname. So his emails exclude his surname.

Also all our text messages I have him under my nickname for him, so I mentioned this in my supplement, that that was what I call him. I had no issues whatsoever.

I would assume on the forms, it would be a good idea to mention his preferred name. In South Africa, many of the non-English speaking people have their legal "African name" and then use an "English name" on a daily basis (which is easier to pronounce), which is their "preferred" name. So it's quite common in my country for people to use different names.

It sounds like you're doing your homework, and that's the best way to get through this swiftly and without delays.

Good luck!

Edited September 10, 2014 by fridgewater

[dsldesch 27]

Thank you both for your help, it's a great peace of mind knowing it shouldn't be a problem for us!

Hi,

In terms of your correspondence and the supplement evidencing your relationship, I would suggest mentioning the fact: a) in your cover letter and b) in the supplement (I also recommend a supplement schedule sheet, listing all evidence. Example below, with the referenced annexure documents behind containing all the actual paperwork evidence)

The explanation should be short and to the point - as you mentioned above.

Although not completely similar, my husband does not use his surname (also wants to legally change his name later on, we postponed this due to the visa) and uses his middle name as his surname. So his emails exclude his surname.

Also all our text messages I have him under my nickname for him, so I mentioned this in my supplement, that that was what I call him. I had no issues whatsoever.

I would assume on the forms, it would be a good idea to mention his preferred name. In South Africa, many of the non-English speaking people have their legal "African name" and then use an "English name" on a daily basis (which is easier to pronounce), which is their "preferred" name. So it's quite common in my country for people to use different names.

It sounds like you're doing your homework, and that's the best way to get through this swiftly and without delays.

Good luck!

The example you provided looks like it will be greatly helpful in organizing our evidence, especially since it will be coming from multiple sources (text messaging, Facebook, email, Skype, etc.). However, I'm not completely certain I understand where it fits into the packet. Is the supplement schedule part of your cover letter, or is it an item itself--like a table of contents specifically for the evidence of your ongoing relationship? If that's the case, on your cover letter, did you list something like "supplemt schedule sheet with supporting evidence" or something different?

Again, thank you for your help! (And I was poking around your timeline--congratulations on your recent approval!)

[fridgewater 15]

Oh dear, this process is so confusing, and now I'm confusing you more... :-)

1. Yes you would have a cover letter, listing the contents of the package - E.g. Form xxx, copy of birth certificate, passport photos, etc.... (I would include a short opening paragraph to start the cover letter, explaining anything that might be unclear from the get-go, for you, that would be including the fact that your fiancé uses an alias - e.g. I explained that we don't live together and why.)

2. So then in the table of contents which would be numbered, the last item would be: 10. "Evidence of relationship"

3. The Evidence of relationship section would then have the schedule first and the referenced items behind.

4. On my evidence of relationship schedule, it was basically a timeline (in chronological order) for things like: an event, or a holiday etc. and then I included a section that was "recurring items" for things like: text messages/facetime/emails.

5. For the actual evidence I also used word, by actually inserting pictures into a word document and attaching text boxes with short explanations of the pictures. I also cut and pasted copies of imessage screen shots into word. This way every page has a heading and reference, and you don't have pages and pictures and evidence lying around. Can all be saved in one place - in one word document. I printed the photo pages on slightly thicker paper in the best quality I could.

6. It was like a huge school project, and if you present something that looks professional and is easy to read and reference, I think they will appreciate it. Think of it from their point of view always, you need to spoon feed them, they don't know you, so you need to explain everything.

Give me a shout if you have any other questions.

[Laiza 2]

If you have proof of meeting or visiting each other multiple times, that should be enough evidence. My husband and I never included emails, skype or whatsapp conversations in our packets. We just sent proof of our trips to visit each other (we did that a lot), and the phone records (he called me every night... so that was long too).

[queloque67 30]

I had a name change myself for family reasons. All I sent in was the court order copy signed by the judge with my package. That was it. No explanation. I just make sure to include in the form other names used. Its not a big deal.

[dsldesch 27]

Oh dear, this process is so confusing, and now I'm confusing you more... :-)

1. Yes you would have a cover letter, listing the contents of the package - E.g. Form xxx, copy of birth certificate, passport photos, etc.... (I would include a short opening paragraph to start the cover letter, explaining anything that might be unclear from the get-go, for you, that would be including the fact that your fiancé uses an alias - e.g. I explained that we don't live together and why.)

2. So then in the table of contents which would be numbered, the last item would be: 10. "Evidence of relationship"

3. The Evidence of relationship section would then have the schedule first and the referenced items behind.

4. On my evidence of relationship schedule, it was basically a timeline (in chronological order) for things like: an event, or a holiday etc. and then I included a section that was "recurring items" for things like: text messages/facetime/emails.

5. For the actual evidence I also used word, by actually inserting pictures into a word document and attaching text boxes with short explanations of the pictures. I also cut and pasted copies of imessage screen shots into word. This way every page has a heading and reference, and you don't have pages and pictures and evidence lying around. Can all be saved in one place - in one word document. I printed the photo pages on slightly thicker paper in the best quality I could.

6. It was like a huge school project, and if you present something that looks professional and is easy to read and reference, I think they will appreciate it. Think of it from their point of view always, you need to spoon feed them, they don't know you, so you need to explain everything.

Give me a shout if you have any other questions.

Don't worry about confusing me--it's not nearly as bad as you made it sound, hahaha! This breakdown is tremendously helpful, and I've even saved a copy to reference later as I put together my own packet. In fact, it seems like something worthy of being added to the Guides--very detailed, thorough and concise!

Thank you so much, I truly, deeply appreciate your help!

I had a name change myself for family reasons. All I sent in was the court order copy signed by the judge with my package. That was it. No explanation. I just make sure to include in the form other names used. Its not a big deal.

Thank you for reply. In our case, he hasn't legally changed his name, which is why I wasn't certain how we should proceed.