Can we get AOS denied for this?

[jacobschiff 0]

Hello VJ members

I came to the US on an F-1 visa about 4 years ago. I am now married to my sweetheart(USC) for more than a year now and we are planning to file our AOS close to our 2 year anniversary. We have lots of proof covering the span of our marriage which has leases, co mingling of finances, thousands of pictures with family etc. We are not worried about that.

2 years before coming to the US on the students visa I underwent a full legal name change in my country of origin. I had an affidavit made at the time of the legal change and used it to get all my documents in my new name(my passport and other legal documents etc). My visa is also in my new name.

When I applied my F-1 visa, I forgot to mention my old name in application. I just found out that I forgot to mention it as I was going through the photocopies of F-1 application. I probably just overlooked it. Well, I will be mentioning my old name in my AOS now as my birth certificate is in my old name. Can we get in trouble/denial of AOS for this? I wish to be 100% truthful in all paperwork that I fill up and don't want to leave any detail behind.

Thank You

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Depends on why you changed your name and if there is any undeclared crimes tied to the other name.

[jacobschiff 0]

Depends on why you changed your name and if there is any undeclared crimes tied to the other name.

The name change was performed because of a religious conversion from Buddhism to Christianity. There are no crimes attached to the former name. There were no visa denials in the former name either.

[Hypnos 6,576]

If it was an honest mistake, I doubt it will be an issue.

[jacobschiff 0]

If it was an honest mistake, I doubt it will be an issue.

Yeah that's what I think as well. But you know how immigration stuff can be, full of anxiety. I was just fearful if they would deny the AOS because of the mistake of omission of old name in the F-1 application and now the mention of it. I was wondering if I should attach some sort of explanation for it.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

It is misrepresentation, but it's not material misrepresentation, meaning had the consulate known about it, they still would have issued your visa. You need to declare it now and explain you made a mistake by not declaring it before.

[chimichanga 3]

It is misrepresentation, but it's not material misrepresentation, meaning had the consulate known about it, they still would have issued your visa. You need to declare it now and explain you made a mistake by not declaring it before.

Thank you EM. So can I get in trouble for this now for our AOS? How should I word the explanation?

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Thank you EM. So can I get in trouble for this now for our AOS? How should I word the explanation?

You should not get into trouble IMHO, but I'm not a lawyer. Simply state that on such and such a date you changed your name and you made an honest mistake by forgetting to put your "old" name on your F1 visa application.