passport name etc

[jannapalmer 10]

So since there's not one embassy in Florida where I'm currently at..all the others are just so far away and we can't make a big trip yet as we're still trying to get settled.. is it okay to just keep using my maiden name for now? or would it have any bearing once the time comes that I have to remove conditions? My passport is still in my maiden name, as well as social security and driver's license..

[Hank_ 9,174]

So since there's not one embassy in Florida where I'm currently at..all the others are just so far away and we can't make a big trip yet as we're still trying to get settled.. is it okay to just keep using my maiden name for now? or would it have any bearing once the time comes that I have to remove conditions? My passport is still in my maiden name, as well as social security and driver's license..

You don't need an embassy visit to use your married name, completing ROM has nothing to do with any relating to the USA. Completing ROM is for the Philippines and will allow you to get your passport renewed in your married name (traditional format ) For this watch for a consulate outreach event in Florida

Use your married name on ALL documents once married. You can update your SS card and DL after you complete AOS and have your green card (in your married name)

[Greenbaum 12,259]

So since there's not one embassy in Florida where I'm currently at..all the others are just so far away and we can't make a big trip yet as we're still trying to get settled.. is it okay to just keep using my maiden name for now? or would it have any bearing once the time comes that I have to remove conditions? My passport is still in my maiden name, as well as social security and driver's license..

Visit the Filipino Consulate Embassy website for Wash DC and search for outreach information. The go to Miami twice a year and I think Jacksonville too.

21/06/2016: CONSULAR OUTREACH IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA ON 13-14 August 2016

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with Couples for Christ ANCOP, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Jacksonville, Florida on:

Schedule :

13 August 2016, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

14 August 2016, Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Venue :

Sunny Acres Park Multi-Purpose Center, 2850 Wompi Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32225

http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/news/5090/589/CONSULAR-OUTREACH-IN-JACKSONVILLE-FLORIDA-ON-13-14-August-2016/d,phildet/

Edited June 25, 2016 by Greenbaum

[SennaBrigante 92]

I'm still using my maiden name on my passport and my GC is in my maiden name too since it follows the name on the passport. My state ID, ss and insurance cards are under my married name though.

You can have your ss name changed, it's pretty easy. Just bring your marriage cert to the ss office.

I don't know if the DC consulate allows mail-in ROM applications but if they do, that might be the most convenient option for you if you need it ASAP.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

There are procedures for submitting your ROM through the mail for the Filipino DC Consulate. Just visit their website and scan down the left column and select Report of Marriage. Follow the instructions closely. Should take about 4 weeks.

On another point you brought up. You should have filed your AOS for the GC to be in your Married Name. It doesn't matter that your GC would not match your passport as all you needed is a copy of your marriage certificate, passport and GC to travel. Purchase the airline ticket using your passport name. When you file your ROC, change your name to your married name. Also, you can renew your passport with your married name now (you must wait till you submitted your ROM and it has been filed) or wait till it expires and then change it. Anyway you choose, just be sure to travel with marriage certificate to prove your married name if asked. Especially bring it with you so that you can make use of the balikbayan visa-free stay visa free privilege.

Balikbayan one-year visa-free stay

Balikbayans – any overseas Filipino returning to the Philippines, including former Filipinos who have acquired foreign citizenship – can stay in the Philippines without a visa for a period of one year. The balikbayan visa-free stay privilege is extended to the balikbayan’s non-Filipino spouse and children, provided they enter the Philippines with the balikbayan.

Former Filipino Balikbayans traveling to the Philippines are advised to bring either their old Philippine passport or copy of Philippine birth certificate as proof of their former Philippine citizenship. Accompanying family members of the balikbayan can bring appropriate supporting documents:

• For the spouse: copy of marriage certificate
• For each child: copy of birth certificate
• For adopted children: copy of adoption papers Philippine Law (R.A. 9174) provides benefits to baikbayans:
• Tax-exempt maximum purchases in the amount of up to US$2,000.00 (US$1,000.00 as arriving Balikbayan and US$1,000.00 as arriving passenger), at Philippine Government–operated duty free shops
• Exemption from Travel Tax, provided that their stay in the Philippines is one year or less. If their stay in the Philippines exceeds one year, Travel tax will apply to them.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Greenbaum

[Hank_ 9,174]

I'm still using my maiden name on my passport and my GC is in my maiden name too since it follows the name on the passport. My state ID, ss and insurance cards are under my married name though.

You can have your ss name changed, it's pretty easy. Just bring your marriage cert to the ss office.

I don't know if the DC consulate allows mail-in ROM applications but if they do, that might be the most convenient option for you if you need it ASAP.

In your case you could have renewed your passport in your married name while still in the Philippines and completed the I-130 in your married name... that would have made things simple for having your married name on everything.

[SennaBrigante 92]

In your case you could have renewed your passport in your married name while still in the Philippines and completed the I-130 in your married name... that would have made things simple for having your married name on everything.

We just followed the instructions. I remember seeing an instruction that said to use the same name on my travel document so I just did that. I don't really mind.

We were only in the PH for 3 weeks and I didn't want to risk not receiving my passport on time, even with the expedited service. The last time I renewed my pp back home, it took a little over 2 weeks for me to receive it even when expedited. Plus I wasn't sure if PSA would be done processing our ROM when I went there.

[jannapalmer 10]

Thanks for the responses guys. First off, I dont need to report my marriage coz I have CR1 visa. I got married in PH. PH consulate in US says all I need to do is renew my passport to be able to use my married name and everything else follows. I just present my marriage certificate.

But to do that, I have to come in person to the embassy which is in LA or DC.

YES I know too well I could have done this before we even file for a petition. BUT Philippines sucks when you want to do things fast, I couldn't get an appointment from DFA soon enough and at that time we have a deadline to follow - which is get to US in time for my sister-in-law's wedding. Which we got to do last week, we had a double wedding here in FL.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestion Greenbaum, I'll look out for when the consulate would do the outreach in Jacksonville and I might take the 3 or 4 hours drive there.

[Hank_ 9,174]

We just followed the instructions. I remember seeing an instruction that said to use the same name on my travel document so I just did that. I don't really mind.

We were only in the PH for 3 weeks and I didn't want to risk not receiving my passport on time, even with the expedited service. The last time I renewed my pp back home, it took a little over 2 weeks for me to receive it even when expedited. Plus I wasn't sure if PSA would be done processing our ROM when I went there.

That is correct. I was just saying that after your married you could have went to DFA and had your passport renewed in your married name. Just a hiccup that can be corrected in a couple years.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thanks for the responses guys. First off, I dont need to report my marriage coz I have CR1 visa. I got married in PH. PH consulate in US says all I need to do is renew my passport to be able to use my married name and everything else follows. I just present my marriage certificate.

But to do that, I have to come in person to the embassy which is in LA or DC.

YES I know too well I could have done this before we even file for a petition. BUT Philippines sucks when you want to do things fast, I couldn't get an appointment from DFA soon enough and at that time we have a deadline to follow - which is get to US in time for my sister-in-law's wedding. Which we got to do last week, we had a double wedding here in FL.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestion Greenbaum, I'll look out for when the consulate would do the outreach in Jacksonville and I might take the 3 or 4 hours drive there.

My on the ROM.

You can complete the passport renewal during a consulate outreach event in your area, thus avoiding a trip to DC. I believe Greenbaum posted info on outreach events for Florida.

[SennaBrigante 92]

That is correct. I was just saying that after your married you could have went to DFA and had your passport renewed in your married name. Just a hiccup that can be corrected in a couple years.

Ah. We got married here in the US and didn't do ROM until over a year later

If we didn't go on a vacation to SoCal I probably still wouldn't have done ROM

[Hank_ 9,174]

Ah. We got married here in the US and didn't do ROM until over a year later

If we didn't go on a vacation to SoCal I probably still wouldn't have done ROM

That is interesting and does put a kink in things for sure. I only know of one other IR/CR-1 couple that were married in the USA then filed the I-130.

Come citizenship time you will be giving the opportunity to change your name, if you so choose.

[SennaBrigante 92]

Yeah it's unconventional for sure. I arrived here on a tourist visa to visit then-BF, got pregnant, got married, then went back home to wait out the CR1 and to give birth. Made things more difficult, but at least we don't have a $10k medical bill for labor and delivery to worry about so there's that.