Nicknames on the DS-160

[k_stacky 65]

Hi everyone,

I filled out my DS-160 over a month ago and the other day while reading up on the things I have to do to prepare for my interview, I came across someone who had a problem during their interview because of multiple names. In my DS-160 I included my full name and the nickname my Fiance and his family call me by because I thought it would make sense for all of my relationship proof since all of it has my nickname on it.

It occured to me now that... did they only want me to include on the DS-160 the legal names that I've used?

I'm panicking now thinking this is going to cause a problem, especially with the criminal record check as they might think I've used my nickname officially and therefore be expecting a criminal record check under that name as well. To be clear, I've never used any name other than my legal given name on any form or official document.

So my question I guess is, is it okay that I included my nickname as well? What should I do? Will this cause a problem or am I overreacting?

Any and all help/experience with this would be very much appreciated. I already e-mailed the Montreal consulate and am waiting for a reply, but any information from you guys would be wonderful.

[NikLR 13,232]

Relax. They did only want legal names but this isnt a big deal to have included a nickname.

[Christy2683 0]

Hi 

How are you? I come cross your post back in 2015, I know it's a while back, hope you can share some tips on this nick name situation.

I'm pretty much in the same boat, my friends and colleagues know me of Christy Yu, but cause I born in China, my legal name is Zheng Yong YU.

in DS 160 form, it asked for all the names that you are known off, so i put Zheng Yong Yu (my legal name) as well as Christy Yu (my nick name, my friends know me of).

Do i need to get police check for my Nick name as well? I'm rush for time now, really appreciate if you can share your experience.

 

thanks

[k_stacky 65]

2 hours ago, Christy2683 said:

Hi 

How are you? I come cross your post back in 2015, I know it's a while back, hope you can share some tips on this nick name situation.

I'm pretty much in the same boat, my friends and colleagues know me of Christy Yu, but cause I born in China, my legal name is Zheng Yong YU.

in DS 160 form, it asked for all the names that you are known off, so i put Zheng Yong Yu (my legal name) as well as Christy Yu (my nick name, my friends know me of).

Do i need to get police check for my Nick name as well? I'm rush for time now, really appreciate if you can share your experience.

 

thanks

I ended up being perfectly fine including both my legal name and my nickname on my form. As long as you have only ever used your legal given name on all official documents, then you shouldn't need a police check done on your nickname. If you have ID in your nickname (like a drivers license), then I think both names would be recorded with the government and you should get a police check for both. But if Christy Yu is something only your friends call you and nothing else, then you're fine!