Change of name evidence and visa interview (London)

[LondonWelsh 0]

Hi all

My surname changed when I was a child (an additional surname was added and hyphenated with my birth name). However it wasn't changed by Deed Poll until 1999. All UK legal docs- my passport, marriage certificate, child's birth cert., NI number, bank account etc have been with this 'new' name.

I was a bit concerned with the I-130 application that my Deed Poll document wouldn't be enough as frankly it looks as though I could've written it! It was drawn up by a solicitor but (IMO) looks quite unprofessional. Anyway, it was enough for the 1-130 who didn't ask for additional evidence regarding the change.

Has anyone had name change come up as a sticking point at the interview itself? That's when I'll next have to present this slightly shonky-looking document!

As I mentioned I have plenty of other evidence to show I go by my 'new' name and my birth certificate with my 'old' name... Any ideas?

Thank you in advance!

LW x

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It will be fine. I'm not British, but I understand that deed polls there can be fairly casual looking documents. London embassy probably sees plenty of them.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I will add that I know of one person who revealed his problems in London to me in a private message. He had overstayed in the U.S. five years, and later got back in for 3 more. He wanted to be near his US born baby after divorce from the wife. Now the baby was 18 years old and petitioning for Dad. there was some problem with the son's address which was listed as Louisiana, but he actually lived in another state or two....they wanted more info on that. AND the man was from the Middle East and had changed his name to something very British sounding like Ian Brown. But he had no deed poll. So they were all over him asking why he changed his name. A lot of red flags in that case. Yet he posted on VJ forum simply that London wanted more evidence from him and it isn't true when people say they don't ask for extra evidence. Well, yeah I guess they do when a case is that dodgy. There's always more to the story when London gives you a hard time.

[LondonWelsh 0]

Thank you! Very interesting. I have been wondering in general how likely I am to get a request for more evidence, like how common it is that they want more info!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you! Very interesting. I have been wondering in general how likely I am to get a request for more evidence, like how common it is that they want more info!

I would answer that as never if you mean relationship with your wife. Take a few photos if none were included in your I-130 packet. Most going through regular spouse visa have included a few things in their petition. Not sure what you included for London USCIS.

If you show up without your police certificate or birth certificate, then yes they have to see those. Most often things I've seen get a temporary reject are--

No tax return with an I-864. A W2 is not a tax return.(Not required with I-134)

Birth certificate that does not have parent(s) name on it.

Police certificate that says "no live trace" without further documentation of charge. A Subject Access Report should be ordered to get the hidden charges or cautions revealed if you didn't keep any paperwork from the incident.

Edited January 29, 2016 by Nich-Nick