Name change after marriage and I-130 application

[jg121783 3,915]

My wife and I just got married a couple days ago and we are going to start working on the I-130 application today. I have another week or so to collect everything I need from her before I return to the US. From what some people have told me and what I have read here it would be a good idea to do everything with her married name. So I guess our first step is to change her name on her passport, photo IDs, bank accounts, ect. I am guessing the marriage certificate would be adequate documentation to accomplish this. Am I correct? Will the local copy be acceptable for this purpose or do we need the NSO copy?

Something else to consider is my step son's last name. We are considering changing it to my last name. What is the process in the Philippines for doing this? Will we run into any issues down the road if we decide to do this at a later date? What affect will this have on the I-130 application if we do it now versus at a future date? Another problem is my wife told me my step son's middle name is incorrect on his birth certificate and she needs to have it changed. She says it wont be too difficult to have it fixed so hopefully that doesn't cause any issues.

Now for the I-130 specific questions. First of all will the local copy of the marriage certificate be acceptable or do we need to wait for the NSO copy (I have been told it can take a couple months to get the NSO copy)? Since I will only be here for another week will it be acceptable to print copies from a pdf she sends me of documents we might not be able to obtain before I leave (marriage certificate, birth certificates, ect.) for the I-130 or do they want original copies of everything? As far as evidence of a bona fide marriage goes I was going to send a bunch of our wedding photos along with other photos we took. I can also make copies of reciepts for money transfers when I sent her money if that will help. In addition to that I was going to have some of her relatives write affidavits about their knowledge of our relationship (and possibly some of my friends and family back home). What should they put in the affidavits and do they need to be notarized? Will all of this stuff together be enough evidence of a bona fide marriage? One more thing as far as the I-130 (and all the other forms I need to fill out) goes. Can someone tell me what website to go to to fill out all the forms online and then print them? Is there any advantage to doing this versus hand written?

I know there are a lot of questions here and I am sure there will be many more in the coming days and weeks as we start to work on our I-130 application. I appreciate all the help I have recieved from everyone on these forums so far and I want to thank you in advance for all the help you will give my wife and I in the future. Now that we are finally married our visa journey can begin.

[jg121783 3,915]

I just talked to my wife about my step son's birth certificate. The issue apparently is that my wife's mother's maiden name is his middle name and I guess since his father isn't on the birth certificate he shouldn't have a middle name at all. She says this will cause issues when we go to get him a passport. We just discussed it and we will probably go ahead and change his last name to mine if we have to change the birth certificate. My wife tells me it could take about a month to change the birth certificate. Does anyone have any advice on this? Would it be okay to send his current birth certificate with the I-130 and provide them with an updated one later so we can get the I-130 filed sooner or will this cause issues?

Edited February 10, 2016 by jg121783

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

Hi. I was a single mom and my daughter's dad was not in the birth certificate. My daughter's middle name is my moms maiden name and it was no problem since the father is not in the picture. If you would to change the name of her son to yours that will take a year cuz you will need to adopt him. I could be wrong, will see what others will say. We had to get my daughters BC done in the court before she came here and it took us more than a year. As far as the form goes you can download the form I-130 at uscis.gov Type it in online and just sign it. Thats what our atty. made us do when we filed my daughters I-130

[jg121783 3,915]

Hi. I was a single mom and my daughter's dad was not in the birth certificate. My daughter's middle name is my moms maiden name and it was no problem since the father is not in the picture. If you would to change the name of her son to yours that will take a year cuz you will need to adopt him. I could be wrong, will see what others will say. We had to get my daughters BC done in the court before she came here and it took us more than a year. As far as the form goes you can download the form I-130 at uscis.gov Type it in online and just sign it. Thats what our atty. made us do when we filed my daughters I-130

So we should be able to get a passport for my step son with his name how it is right now without any issues? Also will it be okay as far as the I-130 is concerned? I figured out how to type the forms by the way. It was just a matter of downloading them to my computer and using a pdf reader.

[Hank_ 9,174]

My wife and I just got married a couple days ago and we are going to start working on the I-130 application today. I have another week or so to collect everything I need from her before I return to the US. From what some people have told me and what I have read here it would be a good idea to do everything with her married name. So I guess our first step is to change her name on her passport, photo IDs, bank accounts, ect. I am guessing the marriage certificate would be adequate documentation to accomplish this. Am I correct? Will the local copy be acceptable for this purpose or do we need the NSO copy?

Something else to consider is my step son's last name. We are considering changing it to my last name. What is the process in the Philippines for doing this? Will we run into any issues down the road if we decide to do this at a later date? What affect will this have on the I-130 application if we do it now versus at a future date? Another problem is my wife told me my step son's middle name is incorrect on his birth certificate and she needs to have it changed. She says it wont be too difficult to have it fixed so hopefully that doesn't cause any issues.

Now for the I-130 specific questions. First of all will the local copy of the marriage certificate be acceptable or do we need to wait for the NSO copy (I have been told it can take a couple months to get the NSO copy)? Since I will only be here for another week will it be acceptable to print copies from a pdf she sends me of documents we might not be able to obtain before I leave (marriage certificate, birth certificates, ect.) for the I-130 or do they want original copies of everything? As far as evidence of a bona fide marriage goes I was going to send a bunch of our wedding photos along with other photos we took. I can also make copies of reciepts for money transfers when I sent her money if that will help. In addition to that I was going to have some of her relatives write affidavits about their knowledge of our relationship (and possibly some of my friends and family back home). What should they put in the affidavits and do they need to be notarized? Will all of this stuff together be enough evidence of a bona fide marriage? One more thing as far as the I-130 (and all the other forms I need to fill out) goes. Can someone tell me what website to go to to fill out all the forms online and then print them? Is there any advantage to doing this versus hand written?

I know there are a lot of questions here and I am sure there will be many more in the coming days and weeks as we start to work on our I-130 application. I appreciate all the help I have recieved from everyone on these forums so far and I want to thank you in advance for all the help you will give my wife and I in the future. Now that we are finally married our visa journey can begin.

Complete EVERYTHING in your wife's married name, this will save a ton of issues and time later on.

You will need the PSA copy of the marriage certificate, you could file the I-130(s) but expect an RFE from USCIS for the missing PSA (no longer called NSO), so have it ready.

Also for evidence send copies of your passport stamps and BIO page.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-130 for all your forms!

There is also a GUIDE link at the top of any page on VJ (in the blue bar) this will take you to the process for filing the I-130

I just talked to my wife about my step son's birth certificate. The issue apparently is that my wife's mother's maiden name is his middle name and I guess since his father isn't on the birth certificate he shouldn't have a middle name at all. She says this will cause issues when we go to get him a passport. We just discussed it and we will probably go ahead and change his last name to mine if we have to change the birth certificate. My wife tells me it could take about a month to change the birth certificate. Does anyone have any advice on this? Would it be okay to send his current birth certificate with the I-130 and provide them with an updated one later so we can get the I-130 filed sooner or will this cause issues?

As Kathy & Jesse stated the middle name "issue" is not an issue, so relax.

You can't change the BC to your name, you are not his father... yet. Don't cause real issues... later. Leave the BC as is... and RELAX. Go get the passports

Edited February 10, 2016 by Hank_

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

So we should be able to get a passport for my step son with his name how it is right now without any issues? Also will it be okay as far as the I-130 is concerned? I figured out how to type the forms by the way. It was just a matter of downloading them to my computer and using a pdf reader.

Yes as long he goes with his mom or legal guardian to get the passport. How old is he? My daughter had to take an i.d (she brought her school id with her) yes we just put my daughters name on I-130, there was no problem.

[bellashay 14]

Your wife can get a Postal ID using the marriage certificate from your local civil registrar. If she has a driver's license, she can renew it as well using that copy. For passport, the NSO/ PSA original is required. Oh and your wife can change her bank details too using the LCR copy. Depending on the bank and if they permit it, you might want to add your name in her account.

As for chaning the step son's last name to yours, I'm afraid it's not as simple as going to NSO and having them change it in a month or two. They would need a court order for this name change. You'd have to legally adopt him if you wish for him to bear your last name. My mom and step father (after they got married back in 1993) immediately changed it to my step father's last name not knowing the repercussions down the road. I had to be legally adopted by the time I was 20 to fix this issue.

Your step son won't have any issues getting a passport so long as he has his NSO birth certificate and a picture ID.

[jg121783 3,915]

Just filled out all the I-130 and G325a forms for my wife and step son. I figured out how to type the answers on the forms. The only problem is some of the address fields are not big enough to type the full address in (specifically on the G325a for my wife's pevious addresses and previous employers). Is it okay to type every other part of the form and leave those parts blank and fill them in by hand? Also my wife worked for a family in Dubai for a couple years and they went on a vacation in Turkey for a few months during that time. Do I need to list the address they stayed at in Turkey? Technically it wasn't her place of residence as they were just there on vacation. The reason I ask is because she doesn't know what the address was there.

As far as the PSA copy of the marriage certificate goes my wife thinks it could take several months to get it. Does anyone know how long it takes to get it? Am I going to be further ahead sending in the I-130 without it (with only the local copy) and dealing with any delays as a result of an RFE or am I better off just waiting until I have the PSA copy? Also do I need original copies of documents like the birth certificates and the marriage certificate or are photocopies acceptable? I ask because if I need the PSA marriage lisence it would be easier and cheaper to have my wife scan it as a pdf and send it to me so I can print it rather than paying for shipping to send it to me. The birth certificates I should be able to send original copies of unless my step son needs his changed which from what people have said here is unlikely.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just filled out all the I-130 and G325a forms for my wife and step son. I figured out how to type the answers on the forms. The only problem is some of the address fields are not big enough to type the full address in (specifically on the G325a for my wife's pevious addresses and previous employers). Is it okay to type every other part of the form and leave those parts blank and fill them in by hand? Also my wife worked for a family in Dubai for a couple years and they went on a vacation in Turkey for a few months during that time. Do I need to list the address they stayed at in Turkey? Technically it wasn't her place of residence as they were just there on vacation. The reason I ask is because she doesn't know what the address was there.

As far as the PSA copy of the marriage certificate goes my wife thinks it could take several months to get it. Does anyone know how long it takes to get it? Am I going to be further ahead sending in the I-130 without it (with only the local copy) and dealing with any delays as a result of an RFE or am I better off just waiting until I have the PSA copy? Also do I need original copies of documents like the birth certificates and the marriage certificate or are photocopies acceptable? I ask because if I need the PSA marriage lisence it would be easier and cheaper to have my wife scan it as a pdf and send it to me so I can print it rather than paying for shipping to send it to me. The birth certificates I should be able to send original copies of unless my step son needs his changed which from what people have said here is unlikely.

You can use an additional sheet of paper when you need additional space on a form.

Only addresses that were residences need to be listed.

If it takes several months to get the PSA copy and you file now, then get an RFE for the PSA COPY, that you have to respond to within 60 days... what will you do if you don't have it? The PDF file should be fine, copies are fine unless it states originals are required.

Like said earlier, don't bother changing the step-sons BC... it will be fine as is to get everything done.

(note for later; you won't need a police clearance from Dubai as it is a waiver country)

[bellashay 14]

We received our PSA marriage certificate 2 months after our wedding. It was only supposed to take 4- 6 weeks, but the LCR "forgot" that we requested to have it expedited.

What I suggest is that you go to your LCR and request to have it expedited. You'd have to pay an extra few hundred pesos but they'd be the one to forward it directly to NSO.

[Brassballs 47]

Saw your FB post but answering here for other people's comments....

First Lisa: I presume she still has a Phil PP since she was a previous OFW. Relatively simple matter to take her current pp to the DFA, with marriage cert Don't know if lcr version will suffice, they'll probably want the PSA version. Call to verify before scheduling an appointment. And get a married name PP. May delay your filing the I130 since I think pp# is one of the fields. Trust me waiting a little now will be EXTREMELY beneficial later on down the road after entering the US. File all her paperwork using her married name. She'll probably have to scan PP bio pages and send you the pdf. Also send you a pdf of the PSA marriage cert to include with your I130 packet. Printed color copy will suffice at this end. She may be asked to present the original at the USEM interview. I'd have her pick up 6 originals at the same time.

Re your stepson....

You're not going to get your surname on his BC because you weren't around at that time. From previous responders it sounds like its a 50/50 call whether to go through the hassle and expense of deleting Lisa's mother's maiden name from his BC. Madilyn says it will require an attorney's intervention and court order... not just a matter of getting it corrected at the lcr/PSA. Don't know if that's right or wrong. Should have been addressed 10 years ago but that's water over the dam now. My suggestion, only a suggestion, is to leave his bc the way it is, get a pp in the bc name, file all the immigration paperwork using that name always indicating that he is the bio son of Lisa even with differ last name. And after arriving in the US go through the name change process prior to the adoption process. In OH a legal name change cost less than $150 and our court appearance is tomorrow. Apparently just a formality. Easy because Marilyn's father is not listed on her bc. More difficult if you have to get the non-custodial parent's consent. After you have the name change document in hand you can get a changed ss card and begin creating his identity with your surname even though not yet formally adopted .

Anyway that's the course I would take now, not necessarily the course we took.

How was the wedding and more important the reception???? Did you say all the right things at Mass? Are you and Lisa wearing your bands on your right hands? That a real stumbling block for me at our wedding.

Ingat po.

[jg121783 3,915]

You can use an additional sheet of paper when you need additional space on a form.

Only addresses that were residences need to be listed.

If it takes several months to get the PSA copy and you file now, then get an RFE for the PSA COPY, that you have to respond to within 60 days... what will you do if you don't have it? The PDF file should be fine, copies are fine unless it states originals are required.

Like said earlier, don't bother changing the step-sons BC... it will be fine as is to get everything done.

(note for later; you won't need a police clearance from Dubai as it is a waiver country)

I only need additional space on the form if I am typing the answer. Some of the addresses of where my wife lived and worked are too long to type in the fields but will fit if they are written by hand. What I am wondering is if it is okay to type the rest of the form and leave the fields blank where I can't type the full answer then write only those answers by hand with the rest of it typed. Am I better off just filling out the whole form by hand?

So as far as the I-130 goes I am better off waiting until I have the PSA marriage license before I even send it in?

[Hank_ 9,174]

I only need additional space on the form if I am typing the answer. Some of the addresses of where my wife lived and worked are too long to type in the fields but will fit if they are written by hand. What I am wondering is if it is okay to type the rest of the form and leave the fields blank where I can't type the full answer then write only those answers by hand with the rest of it typed. Am I better off just filling out the whole form by hand?

So as far as the I-130 goes I am better off waiting until I have the PSA marriage license before I even send it in?

If you can print it by hand that is not an issue. Nothing requires it be typed. Type where you can, hand write the balance.

As for the PSA certificate, if you get it expedited as has been suggested you won't have a long wait.

[jg121783 3,915]

Saw your FB post but answering here for other people's comments....

First Lisa: I presume she still has a Phil PP since she was a previous OFW. Relatively simple matter to take her current pp to the DFA, with marriage cert Don't know if lcr version will suffice, they'll probably want the PSA version. Call to verify before scheduling an appointment. And get a married name PP. May delay your filing the I130 since I think pp# is one of the fields. Trust me waiting a little now will be EXTREMELY beneficial later on down the road after entering the US. File all her paperwork using her married name. She'll probably have to scan PP bio pages and send you the pdf. Also send you a pdf of the PSA marriage cert to include with your I130 packet. Printed color copy will suffice at this end. She may be asked to present the original at the USEM interview. I'd have her pick up 6 originals at the same time.

Re your stepson....

You're not going to get your surname on his BC because you weren't around at that time. From previous responders it sounds like its a 50/50 call whether to go through the hassle and expense of deleting Lisa's mother's maiden name from his BC. Madilyn says it will require an attorney's intervention and court order... not just a matter of getting it corrected at the lcr/PSA. Don't know if that's right or wrong. Should have been addressed 10 years ago but that's water over the dam now. My suggestion, only a suggestion, is to leave his bc the way it is, get a pp in the bc name, file all the immigration paperwork using that name always indicating that he is the bio son of Lisa even with differ last name. And after arriving in the US go through the name change process prior to the adoption process. In OH a legal name change cost less than $150 and our court appearance is tomorrow. Apparently just a formality. Easy because Marilyn's father is not listed on her bc. More difficult if you have to get the non-custodial parent's consent. After you have the name change document in hand you can get a changed ss card and begin creating his identity with your surname even though not yet formally adopted .

Anyway that's the course I would take now, not necessarily the course we took.

How was the wedding and more important the reception???? Did you say all the right things at Mass? Are you and Lisa wearing your bands on your right hands? That a real stumbling block for me at our wedding.

Ingat po.

As far as the I-130 goes I don't think there was a field anywhere asking for a passport number so that shouldn't be an issue. We are going to go to the local office today and talk to them and do as others have suggested and ask about expediting the PSA marriage license. We will also go to where they do the passports and ask them what is required for Lisa as well as ask them about her son's birth certificate. We will also go and print a bunch of copies of the G325a today and I will have her sign all of them for me to take home. We will also drop by the bank and get her name changed on the bank account as well as add my name if possible. Looks like a busy day today lol.

As far as the wedding goes it went very well. We did the whole ceremony with the cord and veil although it wasn't in a Catholic church but rather a Christian church so no Mass. I would say the ceremony went well considering there was no rehersal before hand lol. There were 2 pastors for the ceremony. One spoke mostly in Tagolog and the other one translated in English.There were some issues with the reception involving the catering company trying to rip me off but that is a story for another time. We are wearing our bands on the left hand as is customary in the US. I was not aware they wear them on the right hand in the Philippines.

[bellashay 14]

You won't be able to apply for the passport until you have your PSA marriage certificate. Does she have a government issued photo ID? If not, I suggest that you take care of that asap. She also needs to attend the CFO seminar so she can use your last name on her passport, and the CFO requires the PSA marriage certificate too.