Just filed I-751 but going on vacation and need to renew passport with name change

[britinvirginia 0]

Hi everyone,

I have a couple of questions. I have just mailed my I-751. My green card expires on 8/1/16.

I'm going back to the UK for 2 1/2 weeks at the end of August to the beginning of September. I assume that if my biometrics appointment is scheduled while I'm away I am able to change it? I'm hoping it will be scheduled before I leave (although looking at Vermont service times I'm not so sure).

Secondly I have filed my I-751 in my married name (my green card is in my maiden name). My passport is due to expire in January 2017 so I would like to renew it and change the name on it to my married name while I am in the UK. Will this cause any issues coming back into the US when I return? Would it be better to wait until I am back in the US to renew it?

Thank you for any help you can give me.

[RodDetroit 118]

You will receive a letter with the biometrics appointment then you have the option to reschedule the appointment just be checking a box where you state you need your appointment to be reschedule and send the letter back to the address indicated in the letter.

[mindthegap 2,607]

I assume that if my biometrics appointment is scheduled while I'm away I am able to change it? I'm hoping it will be scheduled before I leave (although looking at Vermont service times I'm not so sure).

Yes. The other trick is to do a walk in, ask for a manager, show proof of travel when the appointment is scheduled for, and they may well offer to do it there and then or the next morning (source: personal experience)

Secondly I have filed my I-751 in my married name (my green card is in my maiden name). My passport is due to expire in January 2017 so I would like to renew it and change the name on it to my married name while I am in the UK. Will this cause any issues coming back into the US when I return? Would it be better to wait until I am back in the US to renew it?

Shouldn't cause any major issues.

From personal experience of a name and passport name change, I suggest when you get to the immigration desk when landing back in the US that you hand over both your new and clipped passport and explain what you have done as it will make their job quicker and easier, and they can 'link' the immigration/passport records together.

If it expires in January and you renew in september, they will add 4-5 months of unexpired time to the new passport on top of the ten years - they will do this up to a maximum of nine months unexpired time.

Also, do yourself a favour and use the same day in person service in the UK. More expensive but much safer - especially as you have to send off your original marriage certificate which I am sure you do not want to go missing...

[observatorka 197]

Hi everyone,

I have a couple of questions. I have just mailed my I-751. My green card expires on 8/1/16.

I'm going back to the UK for 2 1/2 weeks at the end of August to the beginning of September. I assume that if my biometrics appointment is scheduled while I'm away I am able to change it? I'm hoping it will be scheduled before I leave (although looking at Vermont service times I'm not so sure).

Secondly I have filed my I-751 in my married name (my green card is in my maiden name). My passport is due to expire in January 2017 so I would like to renew it and change the name on it to my married name while I am in the UK. Will this cause any issues coming back into the US when I return? Would it be better to wait until I am back in the US to renew it?

Thank you for any help you can give me.

What name did you decide for while getting married? Maiden or your husband's?

[britinvirginia 0]

Yes. The other trick is to do a walk in, ask for a manager, show proof of travel when the appointment is scheduled for, and they may well offer to do it there and then or the next morning (source: personal experience)

Shouldn't cause any major issues.

From personal experience of a name and passport name change, I suggest when you get to the immigration desk when landing back in the US that you hand over both your new and clipped passport and explain what you have done as it will make their job quicker and easier, and they can 'link' the immigration/passport records together.

If it expires in January and you renew in september, they will add 4-5 months of unexpired time to the new passport on top of the ten years - they will do this up to a maximum of nine months unexpired time.

Also, do yourself a favour and use the same day in person service in the UK. More expensive but much safer - especially as you have to send off your original marriage certificate which I am sure you do not want to go missing... Y

Yes, will definitely go for the same day service. My sister ended up having to cancel a holiday a couple of years ago because of a passport office mistake. This is really useful information. Thank you!

[britinvirginia 0]

What name did you decide for while getting married? Maiden or your husband's?

My husband's name, but as we were living in a third country I wasn't able to change it immediately because all my visa documentation for that country was in my maiden name and a name change would have prevented me from moving money to the US. Otherwise my original green card application would have been in my married name and I would have changed my passport sooner.

Edited June 21, 2016 by britinvirginia