K1 - Ukraine - Passport Renewal - Useful Advice

[Phreedom 0]

Thought I'd pass on some useful advice so other people don't get caught in the same trap Irina and I did.

If your spouse will need to renew her Ukraine international passport in the foreseeable future (after arriving in America), you should think twice about changing her name upon marriage. In order to get her passport renewed, she is required to first change her internal passport to her new last name THEN she can renew her international passport. This cannot be done through any Ukraine embassy, she'll need to return to Ukraine. As many of you know, this isn't a fast process, likely can take months. If she retains her maiden name, she can then renew her international passport through a Ukrainian embassy. She'll be required to show her green card and social security card.

The only other option (aside from going back to Ukraine) is to change her name back to her maiden name, get her green card and SS card reissued, then apply for the passport renewal.

I wish I had known this sooner, I would have had her renew her passport before she left OR we wouldn't have changed her name.

I'm not sure of the correct forum to post this, mods feel free to move if necessary.

Edited September 11, 2014 by Phreedom

[YandP 6]

Thank you! This is good to know. I'v got a quick question - why would your wife need to change her Ukrainian passport (national) to obtain a new international one?

I mean, to my understanding Ukraine doesnt recognize US marriage license unless you legalize it in Ukraine. So why couldn't she just come to Ukraine, as a citizen, and in two weeks change her International passport on her maiden name ...and for further travels elsewhere just use your marriage license as a proof ?

I would appreciate your thoughts on this, as we are considering our options right now

[VFittipaldi 30]

Thats good to know! Thank you!

[Al&Da 5]

Thank you! This is good to know. I'v got a quick question - why would your wife need to change her Ukrainian passport (national) to obtain a new international one?

I mean, to my understanding Ukraine doesnt recognize US marriage license unless you legalize it in Ukraine. So why couldn't she just come to Ukraine, as a citizen, and in two weeks change her International passport on her maiden name ...and for further travels elsewhere just use your marriage license as a proof ?

I would appreciate your thoughts on this, as we are considering our options right now

Well, if you're married and you have changed your last name, to obtain an international passport on the maiden one is basically a forgery. The right way is not always the easiest one, but worth it. Good luck!