London Embassy - passport of foreign fiancé has a nickname

[JeniandSam 5]

Hi all,

 

what a shame to be slowed down by something like this. 

 

Our application was approved and is with the U.K. Embassy. 

 

For whatever reason, my fiancé's passport has "Sam" instead of "Samuel." His birth certificate says "Samuel."

 

We submitted the application under Samuel along with his passport which said Sam and all was fine, clearly. 

 

Is this a reason for him to be denied at his interview? 

 

Thank you,

Jeni

[Coco8 1,042]

Did they tell you this was a particular problem? 

 

If he got a new passport, would it say Samuel? 

[JeniandSam 5]

1 minute ago, Coco8 said:

Did they tell you this was a particular problem? 

 

If he got a new passport, would it say Samuel? 

Hi there, no one said it would be a problem to us, specifically. But you read things online...

 

We could get a passport under Samuel - it's strange it was issued under Sam in the first place. Our lawyer says she "doesn't believe" this would be a reason for denial but it doesn't sound committal. 

[Coco8 1,042]

I think that at the most, they could do a more thorough background check. They shouldn't deny it. If you have a lawyer, ask her if getting a new passport before the interview could represent any problems. If it would not, then he could get a new passport. I'm sure the UK has an expedited procedure to get it in a few days.

 

In the US they are a pain about the fact that the name has to be exactly the same everywhere so (1) It is better if his name is correct on the passport for when he has to get his social security card, etc. Everything needs to match (2) It could be better going through the POE if his name on the passport matches any paperwork or information they have (3) In the US, if you have to get on a plane your ID has to match the name on your ticket; I have two last names and sometimes they are a pain if I use one because both usually don't fit due to length. So if he has to get a domestic flight and he go through security, they might be a pain about having Sam and Samuel. In the end they will let him through but I was asked once for extra IDs. 

 

 

[ConOfficer 167]

I would get a new passport. 

 

We generally send people to get a new passport if there's an error in their name because the name on the visa must match the name on the passport. This isn't really an error, but Sam is not the same as Samuel. The passport should match his birth certificate. Maybe the UK passport authority will recognize they made the error and expedite a new one for him. 

Edited June 27, 2017 by ConOfficer

[JeniandSam 5]

38 minutes ago, ConOfficer said:

I would get a new passport. 

 

We generally send people to get a new passport if there's an error in their name because the name on the visa must match the name on the passport. This isn't really an error, but Sam is not the same as Samuel. The passport should match his birth certificate. Maybe the UK passport authority will recognize they made the error and expedite a new one for him. 

Thank you for your feedback. 

 

Do you mean upon upon entry to the US?

 

The embassy in the U.K. will issue the visa under whatever name is on his passport. I just don't want him to get denied at the interview. But if he doesn't, the visa and passport will both say Sam. 

38 minutes ago, Kumar01 said:

I strongly urge you to contact the US Embassy in the UK and sort out the problem. 

Secondly, I believe it shouldn't cause a denial. As far as I know, the DS-160 is where the issue of the 'name' has to be ironed out. 

Again, open the lines of communication with the Embassy and ask for advice. They're very willing to help. Quite honestly, I think they're superb with assistance.

Thank you! I will call them tomorrow. Have you had to work through complicated issues with them previously?

[JeniandSam 5]

1 hour ago, Coco8 said:

I think that at the most, they could do a more thorough background check. They shouldn't deny it. If you have a lawyer, ask her if getting a new passport before the interview could represent any problems. If it would not, then he could get a new passport. I'm sure the UK has an expedited procedure to get it in a few days.

 

In the US they are a pain about the fact that the name has to be exactly the same everywhere so (1) It is better if his name is correct on the passport for when he has to get his social security card, etc. Everything needs to match (2) It could be better going through the POE if his name on the passport matches any paperwork or information they have (3) In the US, if you have to get on a plane your ID has to match the name on your ticket; I have two last names and sometimes they are a pain if I use one because both usually don't fit due to length. So if he has to get a domestic flight and he go through security, they might be a pain about having Sam and Samuel. In the end they will let him through but I was asked once for extra IDs. 

 

 

That's a really good point- I've asked her about what happens when and hopefully if he is stateside and we are married. 

 

The paperwork we filed has Samuel as his primary name and Sam as an other name used - do you think that will help?

[ConOfficer 167]

7 minutes ago, JeniandSam said:

Thank you for your feedback. 

 

Do you mean upon upon entry to the US?

 

The embassy in the U.K. will issue the visa under whatever name is on his passport. I just don't want him to get denied at the interview. But if he doesn't, the visa and passport will both say Sam. 

Thank you! I will call them tomorrow. Have you had to work through complicated issues with them previously?

I meant that the consulate will not give him a visa until he provides a corrected passport. I can't speak for London, but at the three consulates I've served at we told applicants with errors in their passport to come back with a valid one. They won't print a visa with a first name that doesn't match the name provided on the passport, and they won't print a visa with the name "Sam" if that is not his legal name. 

Edited June 28, 2017 by ConOfficer

[JeniandSam 5]

29 minutes ago, ConOfficer said:

I meant that the consulate will not give him a visa until he provides a corrected passport. I can't speak for London, but at the three consulates I've served at we told applicants with errors in their passport to come back with a valid one. They won't print a visa with a first name that doesn't match the name provided on the passport, and they won't print a visa with the name "Sam" if that is not his legal name. 

Thank you again. The new passport number won't impact things?

 

and does it matter that his police check was done under his current passport?

 

also, in all of the paperwork it has both Samuel and Sam as an alternate name, plus the passport scan/copy we submitted. I appreciate your help.