Name change question - I-130 petition.

[TLCandLC 7]

Hi everyone,

My wife is about to send the I-130 petition the London. The guidelines state that if you have ever been known as any other name you need to provide the documentation that shows this.

I was in foster care from the age of 3. From then on I have had my foster family name and I changed it by deed poll officially around 1994. The problem is, my parents can't find the paperwork. I'm not even sure we had official paperwork as it was over 20 years ago.

I have a new birth certificate with the name I am known by on it but it also has my birth name on it too. We are at a loss about what to do and would appreciate input from anyone who might know.

L

[Jawaree 717]

Go by the name in passport/birth cert, and disclose other name as AKA (also known as)

[yunnipie 6]

Hi everyone,

My wife is about to send the I-130 petition the London. The guidelines state that if you have ever been known as any other name you need to provide the documentation that shows this.

I was in foster care from the age of 3. From then on I have had my foster family name and I changed it by deed poll officially around 1994. The problem is, my parents can't find the paperwork. I'm not even sure we had official paperwork as it was over 20 years ago.

I have a new birth certificate with the name I am known by on it but it also has my birth name on it too. We are at a loss about what to do and would appreciate input from anyone who might know.

L

Quick question. Your profile indicates that you are married to the USC but that you are filing for the K-1 visa...?

[embay16 12]

If your birth certificate has your birth name and your current name on it, disclose both. If it does not have both, then only use the name on the birth certificate. It doesn't hurt to disclose it as another name, and then if they can't seem to find it on anything and it raises questions, you can explain why you put it there.

I also spent time in the foster care system, and was legally adopted later in my childhood. I have always only used my adoptive last name as I have a completely new birth certificate (even though I do have my original birth certificate as well). I did this when I first applied for a passport after age 18, and also for my spouse's USCIS AOS application. I don't know if it will come up during the AOS process, but to my knowledge if you have been legally adopted before the age of 18 then your birth name is not a name that you are known as, as you have not yet been an adult. (I am not sure what the deal is for only a legal name change, if you did so prior to turning 18).

[TLCandLC 7]

Thanks for all the replies. My birth certificate does state 'formerly known as', so I was wary of not disclosing this and then have them ask why my birth certificate shows a previous name. They might view that as me having lied.

I have ordered a duplicate deed poll online and will have it certified. We are so scared to do anything wrong so I will disclose my birth name and send the deed poll. Thank you for the advice, it is much apprciated.

[TLCandLC 7]

Quick question. Your profile indicates that you are married to the USC but that you are filing for the K-1 visa...?

Ahh, that is an oversight on my part - I haven't changed it since I registered on the site. We were originally going down the K1 route but when I started to apply - I read about the 212e home rule that applies to a J1 visa I had for a Fulbright exchange so I needed to be in the UK for 2 years. We were working overseas at the time so we got married and my wife came to the UK on a spouse visa. I have about 12 months still to do but we decided to start the DCF process now before the fee goes up. And now, before the new president has time to interfere. We are a same sex couple.

[yunnipie 6]

Ahh, that is an oversight on my part - I haven't changed it since I registered on the site. We were originally going down the K1 route but when I started to apply - I read about the 212e home rule that applies to a J1 visa I had for a Fulbright exchange so I needed to be in the UK for 2 years. We were working overseas at the time so we got married and my wife came to the UK on a spouse visa. I have about 12 months still to do but we decided to start the DCF process now before the fee goes up. And now, before the new president has time to interfere. We are a same sex couple.

OK cool, just didn't want you going the wrong route ?

Wishing the best for you and your wife!!! I have faith that things won't be as bad as anticipated with the new president.

[embay16 12]

Thanks for all the replies. My birth certificate does state 'formerly known as', so I was wary of not disclosing this and then have them ask why my birth certificate shows a previous name. They might view that as me having lied.

I have ordered a duplicate deed poll online and will have it certified. We are so scared to do anything wrong so I will disclose my birth name and send the deed poll. Thank you for the advice, it is much apprciated.

Probably a smart move, especially if your birth certificate does have the "formerly known as".

If you feel so inclined, you could also write a paragraph to include with the legal name change document, so as to explain the circumstances that led to the name change. Although I am pretty sure it is not necessary, as long as you have the necessary documents to show the proof of the name change.

Best of luck!