Approved Immigrant Visa - U.S. Passport Question

[jacobincambodia 0]

Recently, my adopted son gained entry to the U.S. via an immigrant visa (IR2), which we were so excited about. Can't believe it's actually happened!

Ok, here's my question:

-His passport has his original name

-His immigrant visa has his original name

-His original birth certificate has his original name

-His adoption decree has his NEW name (my last name)

-I haven't received his social security card yet, but I believe they used the same name as his immigrant visa

I want to get a U.S. Passport for him with his new name (my last name, like the adoption decree).

I can't find clear direction on the best route for this. Would appreciate any help or advice! Thanks so much.

[millefleur 5,046]

Congrats on the visa approval. His passport is going to be his official ID in terms of his name. I'm not sure if the adoption decree would be enough evidence to get it changed, but in the meantime he'll have to be under his old name.

When you go to apply for the US passport, there might be an option for a name update/name change. I hope someone else can comment to confirm that. But until the 'official' change, he'll have to keep using the old one....that goes for the GC as well.

[jacobincambodia 0]

Thank's for the speedy response! If his adoption decree wouldn't be sufficient enough, what other way would I be able to get his name changed? He's not getting a green card since his immigration visa status (IR2) automatically grants him citizenship and operates as an I-551 for one or two years. I can't remember for sure.

Congrats on the visa approval. His passport is going to be his official ID in terms of his name. I'm not sure if the adoption decree would be enough evidence to get it changed, but in the meantime he'll have to be under his old name.

When you go to apply for the US passport, there might be an option for a name update/name change. I hope someone else can comment to confirm that. But until the 'official' change, he'll have to keep using the old one....that goes for the GC as well.

[millefleur 5,046]

Thank's for the speedy response! If his adoption decree wouldn't be sufficient enough, what other way would I be able to get his name changed? He's not getting a green card since his immigration visa status (IR2) automatically grants him citizenship and operates as an I-551 for one or two years. I can't remember for sure.

So, there are a couple options but unfortunately the ones I know of are long and a bit complicated. I only have knowledge about adult name changes, so maybe I'm off the mark here. You can have the name changed in the passport by getting him a new passport, it varies by country how that is done, but as you can see that is pretty slow and requires a lot of effort. The other option is a legal name change in the US...this totally depends on your State. Every State has its own procedure for that.

I think for children there must be a faster way to get the name changed. I could be wrong though. But I feel like in the case of an adoption this should be pretty common.

Found an old thread about it: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/401624-name-change-for-our-9-years-old-son/

That thread ended by saying that adoption would make it easier, it seems like once you apply for the citizenship the name change option will be offered for sure.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474868-changing-my-daughters-surname-after-adoption/

[jacobincambodia 0]

Hmm...seems like there are some differences in my case. I hope it's as simple as his passport app. I really don't want to go down the court route!

So, there are a couple options but unfortunately the ones I know of are long and a bit complicated. I only have knowledge about adult name changes, so maybe I'm off the mark here. You can have the name changed in the passport by getting him a new passport, it varies by country how that is done, but as you can see that is pretty slow and requires a lot of effort. The other option is a legal name change in the US...this totally depends on your State. Every State has its own procedure for that.

I think for children there must be a faster way to get the name changed. I could be wrong though. But I feel like in the case of an adoption this should be pretty common.

Found an old thread about it: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/401624-name-change-for-our-9-years-old-son/

That thread ended by saying that adoption would make it easier, it seems like once you apply for the citizenship the name change option will be offered for sure.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474868-changing-my-daughters-surname-after-adoption/